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Scouting Report: Arizona State Sun Devils

Posted by Greg | Filed Under News | 

sun-devils.gifSEATTLE — Eight Cape Cod Baseball League players took the field on Saturday in Seattle, where the Arizona State University Sun Devils took two-out-of-three games against the University of Washington Huskies in a Pac-10 conference series.

ASU is loaded with CCBL players from both the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Baseball America has ASU ranked 16 in the nation. Several CodBall readers commented last week that they were impressed with ASU after watching last weekend’s game with USC.

I saw Saturday’s game in which ASU won 11-5, coming back from a 4-5 deficit. ASU’s Freshman RHP Mike Leake (Cotuit) struggled through the first 5 innings, leaving the game with 9 hits, 5 runs and just one strike out. His fastball hit 91 mph, but it was his slider (clocked around 80 mph) and curve ball that looked impressive. Unfortunately, they nibbled around the plate, missing away. He had to rely heavily on the defense behind him for outs. In fact, he was hit so hard in the first that it forced an infield conference.

Leake had a disastrous 5th inning. With two outs and a 4-3 lead, he threw one in the dirt allowing runners to advance to 2nd and 3rd bases. On the next pitch he gave up a double allowing two runs to score and the Huskies to take the lead 4-5. He did manage to end the inning with his only strike-out.

On the brighter side, ASU Sophomore Brett Wallace (Falmouth) had a good day at the plate, feasting on Husky pitching. He homered and hit two singles, picking up 3 RBIs.

ASU Sophomore Petey Paramore (Bourne) had to work hard behind the plate, especially chasing after passed balls from wild and wooly (and ultimately winning pitcher) Matt Spencer. Paramore missed numerous opportunities to throw out runners at second. Paramore doubled and scored in the big 7th inning to help ASU take the lead.

ASU sophomores Ike Davis (Wareham), Matt Hall (Bourne) and outfielder Ryan Sontag (Orleans) all had 0-for days at the plate.

Husky pitcher Elliot Cribby (Chatham) has struggled all year from the mound. He came in during the 7th with men on base. He faced 4 batters, walking one and giving up 3 run-producing hits.

ASU’s junior pitcher and outfielder Matt Spencer did it all on Saturday, homering, playing outfield, winning at pitcher. Spencer played for the Harwich Mariner’s in 2006. He transferred from North Carolina to Arizona State.

Comments

One Response to “Scouting Report: Arizona State Sun Devils”

  1. CapeMan on April 2nd, 2007 7:09 am

    Not a 100% certain about their pitching but that offense is something.

    I saw Oklahoma State and Baylor yesterday…it was like the Wareham Gatemen reunion game! In fact, the announcers mentioned the Cape League and Wareham in particular because of the Baylor-Wareham connection. Oklahoma State…especially with transfer and Cape League player Matt Mangini (Hyannis Mets) are as impressive offensively as ASU with pretty good pitching.

    For the record…Baylor has current Gatemen roster players Beamer Weems, Ben Booker, Dustin Dickerson and pitcher Kendal Volz. Former Gatemen players on Baylor include Nick Cassevechia, Tim Matthews and Jeff Mandel.

    Oklahoma State has Gatemen roster players Jordy Mercer and Andy Oliver.

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