January 17, 1999

Box Score

TEMPE, Ariz. - The 12th-ranked Arizona State baseball team (3-0, 0-0) defeated Utah (0-3, 0-0) 9-2 capping a sweep of the Utes in the Sun Devils' first home series of the season.

In his first start of the season right-hander Chuck Crumpton went seven innings giving up only two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts. Charlie Williamson came in to close the game allowing no runs or hits with four strikeouts to earn the save.

"I was really pleased with Chuck's performance. He threw strikes and got us through seven innings. Trent Pratt also did a good job in the dish for us," head coach Pat Murphy said.

All of ASU's runs came in the first and eight innings. Shortstop Willie Bloomquist started the Sun Devils off with a single down the left field line and reached second on an error by Utah's Jed Chrisman. Centerfielder Jeff Duncan singled to right center, advancing Bloomquist to third. Bloomquist scored on a wild pitch. After third baseman Andrew Beinbrink walked, designated hitter Scott Goodman flied out to center field to advance Duncan to third. First baseman Mitch Jones doubled to score both Duncan and Beinbrink.

Bloomquist led the Sun Devils going 2-for-4 and scoring two runs. Bloomquist went 5-for-8 with seven walks during the series and reach based 12 straight times before striking out in the seventh inning. Jones went 1-for-3 knocking in two runs.

"The story of the series in my opinion is the use of wooden bats," Murphy said. "The games would've been much different with aluminum. I'm proud of Utah. They gave us great competition. They weren't ready, but it was a really good start."

For the Utes, in the fifth inning second baseman Ryan Hilts singled to center field to score shortstop Rob Stuart who had reached base on a double down the left field line. In the sixth inning first baseman Ryan Johnerson hit the series only homerun over the left field wall. ASU heads to Hawaii for a five game series with Hawaii-Hilo Jan. 21-24.

	
Utah             000   011   000     2     5     4
Arizona State    300   000   06x     9     8     1

Winner - Crumpton (1-0)
Loser - Ericksen (0-1)
Save - Williamson (1)
Umpires: Jenkins, Williamson, Stallings
Time: 2:30
Attn: 1,823