Duo ease Devils’ pitching concerns

Jason Urquidez is a softspoken "born underdog." Erik Averill is a cocky competitor who refuses to back down.

Together, they are the Arizona State baseball team’s only two starting-caliber pitchers and, at least for one week, they’ve erased the uncertainty that surrounded the Sun Devil pitching staff heading into the NCAA tournament.

In ASU’s first two tournament games, Urquidez and Averill combined to limit East Carolina and Coastal Carolina to five runs — four earned — on 14 hits in 15 innings of work. They struck out 16 and walked four.

In the process, they protected a bullpen that is typically counted on to pitch as many as seven innings in the final game of a three-game weekend.

"Jason and Erik did an unbelievable job," ASU reliever Brett Bordes said. "When Erik threw that (complete game Saturday), it was huge because I was a little sore (from throwing one inning the night before) . . . and it kept everyone ready for the next day. It’s huge for these guys to go deep into the game."

Pitching was not considered one of ASU’s strengths heading into the postseason.

Urquidez, a right-handed senior, pitched at least six innings in six of his seven Pac-10 starts this season with the Sun Devils going 5-2 in those games.

Averill was less consistent. The junior lefty got out of the sixth just once in his seven Pac-10 starts, with ASU going 4-3 in those games. In fact, he got out of the fifth just once in his final four starts.

It was a surprising slump for a pitcher who threw three complete games in nine nonconference starts.

Averill’s frustration boiled over when he was pulled after Washington State led off the fifth inning of its May 28 loss with three straight hits.

Murphy said the verbal confrontation that followed between himself and the pitcher was important because it helped Averill learn to respect authority. The lesson seems to have taken hold.

"It’s the coach’s decision when you come out of a game," Averill said. "There were certain situations where it wasn’t best for the team for me to be out there and Coach Murphy made the decision to pull me early. That’s how it goes."

The starting duo’s ability to keep the Sun Devils in games will be tested this weekend when ASU plays a three-game super regional series against defending national champion Cal State Fullerton.

Urquidez is expected to start Friday against Fullerton lefty Ricky Romero, who was the first pitcher taken in this week’s major league baseball draft. Averill is expected to match up with lefty Ryan Schreppel, an eighth-round pick, on Saturday.

It’ll be a tough match for Urquidez, a 17th-round selection of the Diamondbacks, and Averill, a 20th-round selection of the Detroit Tigers.

"We’re definitely going to need them to step up again this weekend for us to have a shot," ASU outfielder Travis Buck said. "If (their performances in the regional) are a little look (ahead) at what they can do, then I think we’re going to be in a good situation this weekend."