Arizona Diamondbacks ‘excited’ to play Arizona State Sun Devils
Mar 2, 2015, 11:58 PM | Updated: Mar 3, 2015, 1:06 am
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — After 11 days of workouts, going through one drill or another, the Arizona Diamondbacks are ready to start playing games.
But prior to the opening of Cactus League play, the D-backs will host Arizona State University in an exhibition game Tuesday afternoon at Salt River Fields.
“It’s great,” D-backs manager Chip Hale said. “When I was at the UA (University of Arizona), we used to play the Indians back in the day over at Hi Corbett (Field). It was always really a highlight for us to go up against major leaguers. One year, we used aluminum bats and we beat them by a bunch and (then-Indians manager) Pat Corrales wasn’t very happy, so we had to use wood the next year. So (ASU is) going to use wood.
“And it was just fun for us. Fun to use wood bats. Fun to play against these guys you’re watching on TV all the time. I’m excited for our guys to get started playing, and I’m also excited to see their guys. It’s an exciting time.”
Left-hander Andrew Chafin will start and likely pitch two innings for the D-backs.
The rest of the lineup will look like this:
AJ Pollock, center field
Aaron Hill, second base
Paul Goldschmidt, first base
Jake Lamb, designated hitter
Mark Trumbo, right field
Cody Ross, left field
Yasmany Tomas, third base
Tuffy Gosewisch, catcher
Nick Ahmed, shortstop
“I’d like to get everybody, as many guys that are in that room an at-bat or two in this game…break them in a little bit,” said Hale, who mentioned former Sun Devil Jake Barrett is scheduled to throw.
First pitch is set for 3:10 p.m. with coverage on ESPN Phoenix-620 AM.
D-backs broadcasters Greg Schulte, Tom Candiotti and Jeff Munn will partner with ASU’s broadcast team of Tim Healey and Seth Dhaenens for a unique call of the action.
ASU (7-4) is a month into its season and just won three of four in the Phoenix Muni Classic, which featured Cal State-Bakersfield, Gonzaga and Purdue.
Hale, who helped UA win the national championship in 1986, doesn’t expect the D-backs to lose to his alma mater’s rival, does he?
“(laughs) We’re just going to play our game and we should be OK, hopefully,” he said.
