Baseball takes on Kansas State tonight, Wichita State on Wednesday

May 06, 2008

Leading Off:
Coming off a weekend that saw ASU win two of three at UCLA, the Sun Devils travel to Kansas for their final two midweek games of the season. Arizona State will play Kansas State at Tointon Stadium in Manhattan on Tuesday, then travel to Wichita to face #10 Wichita State at Eck Stadium on Wednesday. The Wildcats are 22-25 overall, 7-14 in Big 12 play. The Shockers host Central Arkansas on Tuesday night. They enter the midweek games 36-11, 14-4 in MVC play.

Devils vs. Kansas State:
Arizona State is 3-0 all-time vs. Kansas State. ASU won both games last season in Tempe. Their only other meeting came in 1971 in the Riverside Tournament. The Devils won 7-0. This is Arizona State's first trip to the Little Apple.

Devils vs. Wichita State:
Arizona State holds a 12-7 edge in the all-time series with the Shockers. They last met in 2004, when ASU took two games at Eck Stadium. The Devils are 4-3 all-time in Wichita, including 1998, when they won the NCAA Regional at Eck Stadium, sending them to Omaha and the College World Series.

30 Win Seasons:
The Sun Devils won their 30th game of the year on April 13 against Washington State, marking the 46th consecutive season Arizona State baseball has won at least 30 games. It is also the 48th season out of 50 that ASU has won at least 30 games.

200 Club:
With the win over Stanford on April 4, head coach Pat Murphy recorded his 200th career victory in Pac-10 play. Murphy now holds a 208-146 career mark in conference action, including conference titles in 2000 and 2007. Murphy has the third most Pac-10 victories among active coaches, trailing Stanford's Mark Marquess (518 in 31 years) and Washington's Ken Knutson (224 in 15 years). Murphy is in his 14th season at Arizona State.

Facing Tough Competition:
The Sun Devils will face one of the toughest schedules in the country in 2008. 14 of their opponents are or have been ranked at some point this season, including 11 who have spent time in the top 10.

Rankings:
Arizona State is ranked #3 in Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America and #4 in the USA Today/Coaches Poll, the NCBWA poll and Rivals.com.

UCLA Recap:
The Sun Devils played long ball all weekend, helping them win two at Jackie Robinson Stadium. On Friday night Brett Wallace and Jason Kipnis went back-to-back, helping the Sun Devils erase a 5-0 deficit. ASU scored five in the ninth to win 10-5, giving Tommy Rafferty a win out of the bullpen. Kipnis homered twice in the win...The bats went silent on Saturday, as the Bruins won 8-3...Arizona State flexed their muscles in the finale, hitting six homers, including two by Brett Wallace on their way to an 11-8 win. The Devils scored four in the ninth, three of which came on a Petey Paramore homer, giving Tommy Rafferty his second win of the weekend and 10th of the year.

20-Game Winner:
Sophomore Mike Leake picked up his 20th career victory with his complete game win over the Golden Bears on April 25, becoming only the ninth Sun Devil in history to win at least 20 games in their second year in Tempe. Leake is also only the fourth to do it as a sophomore, joining Ken Jones (1978-79), Kendall Carter (1981-82) and Doug Henry (1983-84). It was Leake's second complete game this season and fourth of his career. Leake showed he can swing the bat against the Bruins, collecting three hits in the finale, including his first career home run.

20-Game Winners In First Two Seasons At ASU

Jeff Pentland, 1966-67

Eddie Bane, 1971-72

Jim Otten, 1972-73

Ken Jones, 1978-79*

Kendall Carter, 1981-82*

Doug Henry, 1983-84*

Linty Ingram, 1987-88

Jason Urquidez, 2004-05

Mike Leake, 2007-08*

*- Freshman and Sophomore years

Powering Up:
Brett Wallace collected three homers over the weekend at UCLA, including two in the series clincher on Sunday. That gives him 38 long balls for his career, tying him with Mitch Jones (1999-2000) for 8th most in Arizona State history. He is one shy of Casey Myers (1998-2001) for seventh on the list. Bob Horner is the all-time leader, leaving the yard 56 times from 1976 to 1978.

Most Career Home Runs, ASU History

1. Bob Horner, 1976-78........ 56

2. Jeff Larish, 2002-05......... 51

3. Mike Kelly, 1989-91.......... 46

4. Barry Bonds, 1983-85....... 45

5. Dan Rumsey, 1986-89...... 44

6. Andrew Beinbrink, 1996-99 40

7. Casey Myers, 1998-2001.. 39

8. Mitch Jones, 1999-2000.... 38

Brett Wallace, 2006-P..... 38

Visiting With The Home Run King:
The Sun Devils got a surprise visit from former ASU star and Major League Baseball Home Run King Barry Bonds on Friday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Bonds, who loves by the UCLA campus, watched ASU take batting practice from the dugout and shared some hitting tips and stories with the current Devils. He cheered on ASU to the victory Friday night from the stands while wearing an ASU hat.

So Nice Do It Twice:
Apparently the meeting with Barry Bonds worked for Arizona State, as they hammered 10 homers against the Bruins. They hit back-to-back homers three times, including twice on Sunday. Brett Wallace and Petey Paramore did it Friday night in the fourth inning, then Mike Leake Raoul Torrez did it in the third inning on Sunday. Jason Kipnis and Wallace did it again in the fifth inning on Sunday. The Devils hadn't hit back-to-back homers since May 19, 2006, when Ike Davis and Brett Wallace did it in Tucson against Arizona. and

Mr. X (As In 10):
Tommy Rafferty picked up two wins over the weekend for ASU, putting his record on the season at 10-0. Rafferty is the first Sun Devil since Kaipo Spenser in 1994 to win his first 10 decisions in a season. Rafferty has won all 10 games out of the bullpen. He leads the Pac-10 with the 10 victories and is tied with Arizona's Daniel Schlereth for first with 26 appearances. Rafferty transferred to ASU from Angelo State, where he made 19 appearances all of 2006. He sat out 2007 after Angelo State did not grant him his release. Rafferty was named to the midseason watch list for the Stopper of the Year Award.

Graduates:
Five Sun Devils will graduate this week, including four players and one student coach. Greg Bordes, Dustin Brader, Tommy Rafferty and Ryan Sontag will be walking in graduation ceremonies, and they will be joined by student coach Derik Olvey. Rocky Laguna graduated last year.

Super Smash Brothers:
Ike Davis and Brett Wallace have combined to hit 70 home runs over their nearly three seasons in Maroon and Gold (32 for Davis, 38 for Wallace). The two have homered in the same game seven times in their career, including twice this season. Davis and Wallace have also combined for 357 runs batted in since 2006.

Ike Davis The Man-Child:
Junior Ike Davis is turning in another stellar season, something ASU fans have become accustomed to over his three years in Maroon and Gold. Ike has five career multi-homer games, all of which have come this season and he has a 4-1 record on the mound with four saves. Davis has 15 homers on the season, extending his career high. His previous high was nine, which he did during his Pac-10 Freshman of the Year campaign in 2006. He also has 62 RBI, three short of his career high, also set in 2006. Davis has 188 RBI in his career, good for 10th place on the school's all-time list. He has missed the past five games due to injury.

Most RBI, ASU History

1. Andrew Beinbrink, 1996-99 283

2. Casey Myers, 1998-2001.. 275

3. Clay Westlake, 1973-76.... 250

4. Jeff Larish, 2002-05......... 235

5. Bob Horner, 1976-78........ 229

6. Antone Williamson, 1992-94..... 203

7. Alvin Davis, 1979-82........ 200

8. Mike Kelly, 1989-91.......... 194

Ken Landreaux, 1974-76.... 194

10. Ike Davis, 2006-P......... 188

Mr. Double:
Ike Davis is climbing up the school's all-time doubles list. Davis now has 64 doubles in his career, tying him with Casey Myers (1998-2000) for fifth all-time. Clay Westlake (1973-76) is the school's all-time leader with 88. Davis has 21 this year after hitting 23 last season.

Most Career Doubles, ASU History

1. Clay Westlake, 1973-76.... 88

2. Andrew Beinbrink, 1996-99 75

3. Dustin Pedroia, 2002-04.... 71

4. Antone Williamson, 1992-94..... 70

5. Casey Myers, 1998-2000.. 64

Ike Davis, 2006-P............ 64

7. Dan Rumsey, 1986-89...... 58

8. Jeff Phelps, 1998-2001..... 57

Jeff Larish, 2002-05.......... 57

Walk This Way:
Petey Paramore led the Pac-10 in bases on balls last season, totaling 53 in 64 games. His good eye has continued so far in 2008, as he has already drawn 43 walks. Paramore now has 130 walks in his career and is only the 22nd Sun Devil to ever draw over 100. The 130 walks is the sixth most in school history, one short of Doug Newstrom (1991-92) for fifth place. Alvin Davis (1979-82) is the all-time leader with 207.

Most Career Walks, ASU History

1. Alvin Davis, 1979-82........ 207

2. Jeff Larish, 2002-05......... 200

3. Andrew Beinbrink, 1996-99 154

4. Clay Westlake, 1973-76.... 148

5. Doug Newstrom, 1991-93.. 131

6. Petey Paramore, 2006-P 130

7. Mike Kelly, 1989-91.......... 127

8. Barry Bonds, 1983-85....... 122

9. Willie Bloomquist, 1997-99. 119

Rick Peters, 1974-77......... 119

Wall Ball:
Only 22 players have ever hit a ball over the Green Monster at Packard Stadium, and three of them are on the current roster. Last season, Brett Wallace did it and earlier this season Jason Kipnis did it. Ike Davis joined the list against UC Irvine on March 23. All the more impressive, Davis broke his bat on the swing. 16 of the 22 players to clear the wall were Sun Devils.

Keeping A Weather Eye:
Arizona State is drawing a ton of walks as a team, drawing 307 so far this season, including a whopping 47 against Cal State Fullerton and Cal. During the series finale with the Golden Bears, the Devils drew 16 walks, two short of the school record set in 1959. The Sunday game with Cal was called in the seventh inning. Last season they drew 319 free passes as a team. The school record for bases on balls in a season is 482, set in 1982. The Devils have also been hit by 56 pitches this year. Brett Wallace, who has drawn 39 walks, has also been given the intentional free pass a team leading six times.

Are You Experienced?:
Entering the 2008 season, the Sun Devils had only 12 players on their roster with Pac-10 Baseball experience. Of those 12, only four were pitchers. ASU has used eight pitchers this season who had no prior Pac-10 experience, as well as nine position players who had never played in the Pac-10 before. Mike Leake, Josh Satow, Ike Davis, Brett Wallace, Ryan Sontag, Petey Paramore and Kiel Roling were the only returners with significant starting experience

Howser Trophy Watch List:
Three Sun Devils have landed on the Howser Trophy Watch List, the award given to the top player in the nation. Brett Wallace, Mike Leake Ike Davis are all on the initial list for the award, which is presented by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Wallace was a Semi-Finalist for the award last season.

30-Game Starts:
The 2008 Sun Devils went 28-2 during their first 30 games, matching the 2003 Sun Devils for best start through the first 30 games of a season in school history. The 2003 team finished the year 54-14, falling to Cal State Fullerton in three games at the Fullerton Super Regional.

Players of the Week:
Ike Davis has been named to the College Baseball Foundation's National All-Star Lineup four times, including three straight weeks, and was named a Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week. He was also named Pac-10 Player of the Week consecutive weeks, the first person since Travis Buck in 2004 to earn that distinction. Brett Wallace was named the Pac-10 Player of the Week following opening weekend and Marcel Champagnie was a College Baseball Foundation National All-Star on March 4. Kiel Roling was named Pac-10 Player of the Week against Cal State Fullerton and Cal.

Call To The Hall For Bane and Bannister:
Legendary Sun Devil pitchers Eddie Bane and Floyd Bannister have been named to the College Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2008. BaneBane is the school's leader in career strikeouts, fanning 535 in his three seasons in Maroon and Gold. Floyd Bannister went 38-6 with a 1.88 ERA from 1974 to 1976, throwing 29 career complete games, second most in school history. He won 19 games in 1976, tied for the school single season record, and struck out an ASU record 217 in 1975. He was the #1 overall pick in the 1976 MLB draft. Bane and Bannister join Bobby Winkles, Jim Brock and Bob Horner as Sun Devils in the College Baseball Hall of Fame. pitched for ASU from 1971 to 1973, recording a 40-4 career record with a 1.64 ERA. He threw the only perfect game in Sun Devil history, striking out 19 in a 9-0 win over Cal State Northridge in 1973.

Family Matters:
Freshman OF/LHP Matt Newman has Maroon and Gold in his blood. His father, Randy, was a pitcher for the Sun Devils in 1981 and 1982, winning 15 career games and the 1981 National Championship. Freshman catcher Andrew Pollak is the brother of former Sun Devil football great Mike Pollak, who played center for the Devils from 2004 to 2007. Mike was a two-time All-Pac-10 performer. Andrew wears number 76, the same number Mike wore on the gridiron. UTL Mike Murphy is no relation to head coach Pat Murphy, although he is the first player named Murphy Pat Murphy has ever coached. New assistant coach Josh Holliday is the son of former Oklahoma State head baseball coach Tom Holliday and the brother of current Colorado Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday.

2008 Pre-Season Honors:
ASU has several pre-season All-Americans on its roster. Brett Wallace and Josh Satow were both named First Teamers by the NCBWA as well as Collegiate Baseball. Petey Paramore joined them on the NCBWA list. Mike Leake was named a Second Team selection by both the NCBWA and Collegiate Baseball. Kiel Roling was named to the Second Team by the NCBWA. Ike Davis was a Third Team selection by both the NCBWA and Collegiate Baseball. Wallace, Davis and Paramore were all named Second Teamers by Baseball America.

Pac-10 Picks:
The Sun Devils were picked to finish second in the Pac-10 in the annual preseason coaches poll. ASU got three first place votes, while ArizonaArizona State won the Pac-10 last season. Arizona finished second. was picked to win with six first place votes.

Golden Spikes Watch List:
Ike Davis, Petey Paramore and Brett Wallace have all been named to the 2008 Golden Spikes Award Watch List. ASU has had three Golden Spikes winners, Bob Horner, Oddibe McDowell and Mike Kelly.

Wallace Award Watch List:
Arizona State has four players on the Wallace Award Watch List. Brett Wallace, Ike Davis, Mike Leake and Tommy Rafferty are all on the current list. Wallace was Semi-Finalist for the award last season.

Captain and the Bench Award Watch List:
Head coach Pat Murphy has named junior catcher Petey Paramore as the captain of the 2008 Sun Devils. Paramore has also been named to the Watch List for the Johnny Bench Award, the third straight year he has made the list.

Coach Murphy Honored:
Pat Murphy has been inducted into the Florida Atlantic University Baseball Hall of Fame. Murphy played for the Owls from 1981 to 1982, then coached three years at the school.

Honoring Pat Tillman:
Former ASU football player and American Hero Pat Tillman had strong ties to the ASU Baseball program. In addition to his brother Kevin playing for ASU, Pat became extremely close with head coach Pat Murphy. Murphy wears jersey #42 in honor of Tillman, and in January 2007, Murph donated $100,000 to the baseball program for the construction of the Tillman Training Room, a room that will honor both Pat and Kevin and their commitment to both Arizona State University and the United States of America. The team wears a memorial "PT*42" patch on their jerseys in honor of Pat.

Up Next:
Arizona State returns home for a three-game set with Loyola Marymount that begins Saturday night in Tempe.