April 18, 1998

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The 16th-ranked Arizona State baseball team (30-14, 16-6 Six-Pac) extended its winning streak to ten games overall and 11 in the conference with an 8-7 win over the UCLA Bruins (18-26, 10-16 Six-Pac) this afternoon in front of a crowd of 2,267 at Packard Stadium.

Freshman first baseman Casey Myers led the Arizona State offense this afternoon going 3-for-3 with three RBI and three runs scored. Also contributing for the Devils was catcher Jeremy Jones, who tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning with a two-run double to right field. Senior pitcher Aaron Kramer (6-2) picked up the win for the Sun Devils going one and two-thirds innings striking out two and giving up one earned run on three hits. Starting pitcher Richy Leon lasted four-plus innings while giving up five earned runs on seven hits and striking out seven. Junior reliever Chuck Crumpton picked up his fifth save of the season. Head coach Pat Murphy was pleased with the pitching and the overall performance of the Sun Devils today.

"I was really proud that our guys held UCLA to seven runs and that they were able to hang in there," said Murphy.

Offensively for the Bruins, centerfielder Eric Valent belted his 62nd homerun of his career, tying the Pac-10 and UCLA record which was previously held by Troy Glaus (1995-1997). Valent finished the day 3-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored. Thirdbaseman Garret Atkins went 1-for-4 on the day with three RBI. Atkins extended his hitting streak to 28 games with his first triple of the season. Starting pitcher Ryan Carter went five-plus innings giving up five earned runs on six hits while striking out seven. Jon Brandt (1-5) picked up the loss for UCLA going two-plus innings while giving up five hits and three earned runs.

The Sun Devils face UCLA tomorrow afternoon at Packard Stadium at 1 p.m. in the final game of the three-game conference series. Lefthanded pitcher Phill Lowery (7-4, 4.16 ERA) is expected to take the mound for ASU while freshman righthanded pitcher Chad Cislak (3-7, 8.90 ERA) is the Bruins probable starter.

UCLA           110  031  100  7 11 2
Arizona State  022  002  20x  8 11 0

Winner --Kramer (6-2)
Loser -- Brandt (1-5)
Save -- Crumpton (5)
Umpires: Riggers, Rodriquez, Randall
Time: 3:15
Attn: 2,267