Resiliency isn’t a word often used around the ASU baseball program.
Not because the team isn’t resilient, but because it usually doesn’t have to be.
After getting swept by Oregon State a week ago, the No. 10 Sun Devils (22-9, 5-4 Pac-10) return home this weekend looking to bounce back against Washington State.
“Nothing changes with us, just because we got swept doesn’t mean anything,” ASU senior outfielder Matt Newman said. “We still have a chance to win a national title and that’s the ultimate goal. Sure, it wasn’t a great weekend, but we are looking at this series the same as if we had just swept someone else. We’re not happy about it but it happens and we’re moving on.”
With 18 games remaining in the conference schedule, ASU finds itself in fourth place and two games back behind Pac-10-leading UCLA.
“A year ago at this time we were 6-3 in the conference,” ASU coach Tim Esmay said. “We are always a weekend away from getting it back. There’s no undo, but it’s nice to play at home again.”
The Cougars (14-14, 2-7 Pac-10) have won two straight after dropping four of their previous five games.
Last Sunday, they defeated UCLA in the bottom of the ninth by scoring three runs. Then on Tuesday they beat in-state rival Gonzaga.
ASU holds the all-time record against WSU at 38-11. Last season, however, the Cougars took two of three from the Sun Devils in Pullman, Wash.
Friday night will see a matchup between two of the better pitchers in the conference.
On the mound for WSU is junior Adam Conley (4-3, 3.32 ERA). In his last start, the Cougar ace threw a complete game against the Bruins while striking out seven, but received the tough luck loss, 3-1.
For the Sun Devils, it will be the familiar face of sophomore Brady Rodgers (4-2, 3.21 ERA). Rodgers breezed through the first six innings against OSU last Friday, but fell apart in the seventh, surrendering four runs in the inning.
Saturday will see WSU senior Chad Arnold (0-2, 5.40 ERA) versus ASU junior Kramer Champlin (4-1, 3.25 ERA), while Sunday will be WSU senior James Wise (3-3, 5.02 ERA) versus ASU sophomore Jake Barrett (3-3, 5.64 ERA).
Offensively, the Sun Devils hold the edge in team batting over the Cougars with the two clubs averaging .317 and .276, respectively.
ASU, It’s Time
Although every other program around Sun Devil athletics will adopt the sweeping changes announced Tuesday, baseball will hold onto at least one thing: it’s intertwined A-S logo.
The emblem proudly displayed on every baseball cap isn’t going anywhere.
The team has a partnership with Wilson, unlike the other sports’ ties with Nike.
“That symbol is part of the tradition,” Newman said. “To lose that would be tough, but it’s exciting times to be a part of ASU.”
Baseball will, however, bring in some of the elements, such as the new Sun Devil Bold script.
“I’m excited for it,” Esmay said. “With kids today there’s a look good, feel good type thing. By doing that, it creates excitement around the University.”
Reach the reporter at tyler.emerick@asu.edu ?
