Oklahoma Knocks Off No. 7 Arizona State, NCAA Streak

SURPRISE, Ariz. The Oklahoma baseball team knocked off seventh-ranked Arizona State, 6-0, Sunday afternoon and ended the Sun Devils' NCAA record 506 consecutive games scoring streak in the process. ASU's impressive streak dated back to April 7, 1995, when the Sun Devils were last shutout 9-0 by USC. The Sooners got a dominating pitching performance from starter David Purcey who held the Sun Devils scoreless for the first seven innings before closer Jarod McAuliff came in and finished off the final two innings. Purcey and junior centerfielder Jeff Scuderi were Oklahoma's representatives on the all-tournament team. Oklahoma improved their season record and tournament mark to 2-1 and handed Arizona State (5-1) their first loss of the season for the second-straight year.

"This was a great outing for me today and I was really happy to get off to such a good start this year after having a disappointing season last year," commented Purcey following the monumental win. "Arizona State is such a great offensive team that to hold this group of guys scoreless is pretty great."

Box Score

Purcey shook off a rocky first inning, where he walked the first two batters he faced, to settle in and keep the Sun Devils off the bases. He allowed a swinging bunt single in the second inning and then went on to retire the next 16 straight before being lifted after seven innings. His day included two walks and six strikeouts and near flawless control with no wild pitches or hit-by-pitches.

Scuderi (3-for-5) got things started for the Sooners in the first inning with a leadoff triple. Outfield mate Aaron Ivey (1-for-5) followed with a productive at bat with a groundout to shortstop to drive in Scuderi for the first run. Scurderi's run scored gave him a run scored in each game of the tournament.

OU got back on the scoreboard in the sixth inning when Ivey led off the inning with a single and scored from second base on a RBI-single by junior third baseman Matt Bose (1-for-4). Following two pitching changes, junior designated hitter Eric Thornton (2-for-4) welcomed new ASU hurler Quentin Andes with a two-run homer on the first pitch that he sent to deep center field, travelling over 400 feet, to extend OU's lead to 4-0.

The Sooners added two more runs in the ninth inning for the final margin of victory. Thornton and junior second baseman Kyle Bradburry (1-for-4) singled to start the inning and, after a walk to senior rightfielder Andrew McGuire (1-for-2) loaded the bases, Scuderi delivered a two-run scoring single to plate pinchrunner LaFringe Hayes and Bradburry.

The Sooners return to action next weekend with a three-game set against Southeast Missouri State. The series begins on Saturday at 1 p.m. at L. Dale Mitchell Park.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Oklahoma Knocks Off No. 7 Arizona State, NCAA Streak

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