After a weekend that included light outages, snow and flight complications, the No. 13 ASU baseball team will happily return home for a three-game series against Washington.
Unfortunately, it will have to go up against one of the best pitchers in the country in Husky junior Tim Lincecum.
"This kid is the most dominant pitcher since [former USC pitcher Mark] Prior," ASU coach Pat Murphy said.
Lincecum is coming off an 18-strikeout, two-hit performance against UCLA as he went on to win his sixth game of the year.
Last year against ASU, Lincecum threw 165 pitches in a complete game victory, giving up four runs on seven hits.
During his freshman campaign of 2004, Lincecum threw seven innings against the Sun Devils and struck out eight en route to an 11-1 Husky win.
"He's had our number two years in a row," Murphy said. "Not many pitchers have gotten us three times in a row. But you know what? He might be the one."
This season, Lincecum has held opposing batters to a Pac-10 low .156 average, .041 points lower than the next closest pitcher. He also leads the conference with 95 strikeouts, 32 more than California junior Brandon Morrow.
"I wish I could intentionally walk him, but you can't do that to a pitcher," Murphy said.
Murphy said not wasting at-bats and being patient at the plate is the best way to approach Lincecum.
ASU (23-9, 2-1 Pac-10) will likely send seniors Daryl Arreola and Frank Mesa and junior Pat Bresnehan to start on the mound during the series, although the exact rotation has not been determined.
"We're going to see how he feels," Murphy said when asked if he would start Bresnehan tonight.
Bresnehan has been working his way back from a rib injury sustained Feb. 26 against Baylor.
The Sun Devils will also be bolstered by the return of freshman Jeff Urlaub to the pitching staff. Urlaub could see action out of the bullpen either Saturday or Sunday.
"I would think he'll end up pitching this weekend," Murphy said. "We can't expect a whole lot, but it's just nice to have him back."
Leading the Washington (21-11, 3-3) offense are senior Zach Clem and sophomore Matt Stevens. The duo has combined for 23 home runs and 55 RBIs this season.
"They say Stevens has lights-out power," Murphy said.
Friday will also be baseball card night at Packard Stadium. The first 500 fans will receive a package of Sun Devil baseball cards. The first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Reach the reporter at thomas.j.kelley@asu.edu.
