BERKELEY, Calif. -- Sophomore second baseman Seth Dhaenens wasn't being greedy. All he wanted was a second chance.
Just a month after a 1-for-14 skid nearly derailed his season, Dhaenens continued his march toward redemption over the weekend, going 5 for 11 at the plate with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Dhaenens raised his average to a team-leading .362 -- a 291-point increase since March 11. He also stated his case as an everyday starter in a lineup that has changed by the minute.
Dhaenens' biggest contribution came in the sixth inning of Sunday's finale when he roped an RBI single that gave ASU a 3-2 lead. It would have been the game-winning hit had senior right-hander Jason Urquidez not blown the save in the bottom of the ninth.
In Saturday's opener, Dhaenens scored in the second and fifth innings and laid down a sacrifice bunt in the sixth that set the table for back-to-back RBIs by sophomore shortstop Joe Persichina and freshman center fielder J.J. Sferra.
Dhaenens plated senior first baseman Jeff Larish with an RBI single in the second inning of the nightcap. He also reached base with a single in the seventh.
Chances are Dhaenens can count on more playing time.
"We always talk about how your last at-bat is your best," said Dhaenens, who is batting .455 with three doubles, two home runs and 16 RBIs his last 15 games. "The first at-bat you have in a game, you might be feeling yourself out. It's all about improving as you finish up the game."
ASU coach Pat Murphy benched Dhaenens for six games earlier in the season. However, Murphy never lost confidence in him.
"It's tough not to be a little bit down," Murphy said. "He came to me and said, 'Coach, don't give up on me. I'm mature and I'm a good player, and I know how to play.' I'm really happy for him. He has given us a great lift."
Dhaenens insists that he doesn't pay attention to his gaudy numbers.
"I looked at them earlier when I was struggling," Dhaenens said. "But now that things are going my way, it doesn't really matter."
Reach the reporter at brian.gomez@asu.edu.
