On a chilly day in February, the past, present and future of Sun Devil baseball met up for the annual Arizona State Maroon and Gold Alumni Game.
The fun-filled day was loaded with excitement for the ASU baseball players and fans. Recent Sun Devils alums Andrew Aplin and Robert Ravago played for the Alumni team as well as Raoul and Riccio Torrez. Legends like Paul Lo Duca and Hubie Brooks were in attendance to support their fellow alumnus.
The 2013 Sun Devils unveiled what could be their opening day starting lineup with Jake Peevyhouse, Kasey Coffman and Trevor Allen in the outfield and Michael Benjamin, Drew Stankiewicz, James McDonald, Rouric Bridgewater and Max Rossiter around the horn.
ASU’s current team meant business Saturday afternoon as they beat the alumni by a whopping 21 to 2 score. The current Sun Devils had 22 hits and 1 error on the day getting an early 5-0 lead in the first inning that was highlighted by a Trevor Allen three-run double.
The Sun Devils current squad got great contributions from their entire lineup, but Nathaniel Causey, who went 2 for 3, stole the show in the second inning with a two run homerun. What’s almost as impressive is the sophomore showed discipline at the plate, taking three walks in the afternoon.
Even if it was a blow out of the former stars of Packard, there were still some great moments on the diamond. Raoul Torrez came in to pitch against his younger brother Emilio and the older brother was shown up as Emilio Torrez ripped an RBI double to straight away right field.
Arizona State alum and current first base coach Greg Bordus got an at-bat against relief pitcher Matt Dunbar and grounded out to shortstop Jordan Aboites.
The Sun Devils’ pitching was lights out as sophomore Darin Gillies started the game. Gillies threw four innings, gave up three hits and two strikeouts. Freshman left-hander Brett Lilek had an impressive outing going four innings and threw five strikeouts, including striking out the side in the sixth.
This was a fun, loose day for the 2013 Sun Devils as they enter their final week of practice before their season opener against Bethune-Cookman on February 15 in Tempe.
