ASU Baseball: Game One Versus Pepperdine

Tomorrow, the ASU baseball team begins their post-season with a game against Pepperdine, the West Coast Conference Champions.

The game begins at 1 pm and will be broadcast by ESPN.  (one of their networks)  In this Regional, the four teams play a double elimination pool play format.  This Regional includes ASU, Pepperdine, Cal Poly and Sacramento State.

Pepperdine is a solid baseball team.  They were the West Coast Conference Champs.  Their final record was 39-16.  Two of their wins came against UCLA (8-7) and USC (10-4)

Pepperdine’s success has been paced by a couple of players, but one in particular; Aaron Brown.  Brown is lethal both as a hitter and a pitcher.  The left-handed ace went 11-1 on the mound this season with a 2.24 earned run average.  As a batter, he also hit .320 and led the team with 12 home runs and 45 RBI’s.  The Sun Devils can expect to see Mr. Brown on the mound for their opening tournament game tomorrow.  He’s tough on lefties and will be a challenge for the Sun Devil hitters.

The other team leader for Pepperdine is Brown’s battery mate, Aaron Barnett.  The left-handed hitting catcher hit .378 and drove in 27 runs.

So, undoubtedly, ASU will have their hands full.  Pepperdine is a proven team, even against PAC-12 opponents.  Couple that with the fact that they will most likely enter this Regional with a chip on their shoulder and eager to prove themselves–the sun Devils will have to earn this victory.

ASU will most likely counter with their own lefty, Brett Lilek.  Lilek is sturdy, but not the most consistent pitcher lately.  He’ll have to bring his “A game” tomorrow.  The same goes for the entire ASU lineup.  This is playoff college baseball.  If you have a bad day or a bad weekend–you’ll be going home.