Jan. 26, 2003
Tempe, Ariz. - Arizona State closed out a sweep of the three-game series with San Diego State on Sunday, defeating the Aztecs 24-9 at Packard Stadium in Tempe. ASU got a pair of grand slams on the way to its ninth consecutive win without a loss this season. The Aztecs, who hurt themselves with seven errors on the day, remained winless on the season, falling to 0-3.
The Sun Devils jumped out a quick lead with three runs in the first off Aztec freshman Ronnie Lindsey, who was making his collegiate debut. An ASU single and walk was followed by a dropped fly ball by left fielder Curt Mendoza to load the bases. First baseman Jeff Larish then delivered a one-out two-RBI single to left center. That was followed by a sacrifice fly by Frank Mesa to score the third run of the inning.
Arizona State padded its lead of Lindsey in the third on a two-run homer by Larish, his second of the weekend. Then with two outs, a pair of walks and an error loaded the bases, and second baseman Steve Garrabrandts delivered a grand slam that just cleared the center field wall over a leaping Anthony Gwynn.
In the next frame, Larish struck again, this time homering with three men aboard for ASU's second grand slam of the contest. Larish ended the day with nine RBI, tying the Arizona State record for most ever in a game by a Sun Devil player.
Meanwhile, Arizona State starter Erik Averill was shutting down an Aztec offense that had recorded 22 hits in the first two games of the series. Over his four innings of work, Averill allowed just one hit (a single to Chad Corona) and struck out four.
SDSU came back with seven runs in the sixth, sending 12 men to the plate. The Aztecs' runs came courtesy of an RBI double by Peter Stonard and run scoring singles by Jon Stephens, Jake McLintock and Anthony Gwynn plus bases-loaded walks to Jordan Swaydan and James Guerrero. Gwynn had a pair of hits in the inning with a run scored and two runs batted in.
The Aztecs final two runs came on a solo homer by senior Jon Stephens in the top of the seventh and an RBI single by David Hall in the eighth that drove in Jordan Swaydan who had doubled to lead off the frame.
ASU's Averill picked the win to improve to 2-0 on the year. Lindsey (0-1) took the loss for SDSU although only three of the nine runs he allowed were of the earned variety.
For the game, 17 of Arizona State's 24 runs were unearned due to SDSU's seven errors. Nine Sun Devil runs were scored by players who had walked while six others who reached on errors also scored.
Up next for San Diego State is a three-game series at UC Santa Barbara starting on Friday (Jan. 31) at 2:00 p.m. All three of those games can be heard live on the internet at www.goaztecs.com with Alan Horton calling the play-by-play.
Arizona State 14, San Diego State 7SDS 000 007 110 - 9 9 7ASU 306 401 37x - 24 13 2Lindsey, Human (3), Coon (4), Heil (7), Leuthard (8), Pace (8) and SwaydanAverill, Thurmond (5), Kartler (6), Bordes (6), Arguello (7), Lopez (7), Leaf (9) and Bocchi, West (5), Gosewich (8)W - Averill (2-0)L - Lindsey (0-1)Sv - NoneHR - ASU: Larish (3rd-one on and 4th-three on), Garrabrandts (3rd-three on) SDS: Stephens (7th-none on)Att. - 2,822Time - 3:47