FUTURE IS NOW FOR URQUIDEZ FORMER ROYAL STAR SHINES WITH ASU.Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer Jason Urquidez has always wanted to be a professional baseball player. One problem: prior commitments have found a way of coming first. The Royal High graduate developed into one of the more reliable options for the Arizona State pitching staff this season and was as significant a reason as any for the Sun Devils' return to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. Arizona State came up one victory short of reaching the CWS CWS Chicago White Sox CWS College World Series CWS Church World Service CWS Child Welfare Services CWS Canadian Wildlife Service CWS Community Water System (EPA) CWS Canada-Wide Standard CWS Compressed Work Schedule title series after losing 6-3 to Florida on Thursday in an elimination game. ``I came back just for the sole reason of going to Omaha and winning,'' said Urquidez, a senior. ``So I was going to do whatever it takes.'' Even if it meant putting his future plans on hold. The Arizona Diamondbacks This article is about the baseball team. For other uses, see Diamondback. The Arizona Diamondbacks (also referred to as the D-backs) are a Major League Baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They play in the West Division of the National League. drafted the 6-foot-2, 170 pound right-hander in the 17th round of the June 7 Major League Baseball "MLB" and "Major Leagues" redirect here. For other uses, see MLB (disambiguation) and Major Leagues (disambiguation). Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of play in North American professional baseball. First-Year Player Draft. Urquidez, however, was focused on winning a national title with the Sun Devils
Arizona State might not have gotten as far as it did without Urquidez. He was the winning pitcher in a 9-8 victory over Cal State Fullerton in the deciding game of the best-of-three Super Regional series. He threw 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief with three strikeouts and one walk. The effort came less than 48 hours after he threw 109 pitches in 7 2/3 innings, giving up a run on two hits with six strikeouts in the opener against the Titans, the defending national champion. Urquidez ended up with a no-decision in the 3-2 loss. ``You tip your cap to him. Jason's performance was certainly special,'' Cal State Fullerton coach George Horton This article is about the U.S. diplomat. For the college baseball coach, see George Horton (baseball coach). George Horton was a member of the US diplomatic corps who held several consular offices, principally in Greece, in late 19th century and early 20th said. After a slow start to begin the season, Urquidez was as consistent as they come to close out the year. He went through a 10-game stretch in which he was 5-1 with a 2.66 ERA. Overall, he finished 10-4 in 29 appearances with a 3.93 ERA, ranking him among the top pitchers in the Pacific-10 Conference. The success shouldn't come as a big surprise considering the experience he's gained on the national level in the past. In junior college, Urquidez won the 2002 NJCAA NJCAA National Junior College Athletic Association World Series as a freshman with Central Arizona College Academics Central Arizona College offers numerous academic programs leading to the granting of an occupational certificate or the A.A., A.B., A.S., A.A.E.E., A.G.S., or A.A.S. degrees. . He finished the season with a record of 10-1, including two victories in the World Series, and a 3.18 ERA. He was selected in the 48th round of the 2002 draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are a professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida, Florida. The Devil Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Devil Rays have played in Tropicana Field. and in the 11th round of the 2004 draft by the Cincinnati Reds. The timing, however, wasn't right each time. All that should change with his college days coming to an end. ``I told the Diamondbacks the day of the draft that you got something special,'' Arizona State coach Pat Murphy said. ``I don't care where you pick (Jason), you got something special.'' Sean Ceglinsky, (818) 713-3607 sean.ceglinsky(at)dailynews.com |
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