With the game on the line, ASU coach Pat Murphy has one bullpen pitcher he can call on to extinguish another team's rally.
That hurler is senior Brett Bordes.
"He's in every tough situation," Murphy said. "He doesn't get to come into easy situations."
That doesn't faze Bordes one bit. Since he became a Sun Devil, the southpaw has answered every challenge his coach has asked him to, including an incredible performance against Nebraska in the 2005 College World Series. Bordes came into the game with the Sun Devils down one run and threw three shutout innings.
"He's the most underrated guy in America," Murphy said. "If you look at his history and you look at the Nebraska game, he just gets out every tough hitter."
After an impressive junior season, which included a Pac-10 high 38 appearances, the Detroit Tigers drafted Bordes in the 24th round.
However, he decided to come back for his final season. Several factors went into his decision, not the least of which was the fact that his brother Greg would be entering his second season as a Sun Devil.
"Getting a chance to play with [Greg] again is sweet ,because you never know if after college in pro ball if you'll get that same opportunity again," Brett said. "That's a reason why I stuck around again this year."
Since the two started playing together when Brett was five, Greg has benefited from his older brother's experiences.
"Through my high school years, [Brett] mentored me, and told me a lot about this program," Greg said. "He had a big influence in me coming here. And why wouldn't I want to come here? It's one of the best programs in the nation."
As part of the program last year, Greg did odd jobs with the team, traveling on road trips and being the bullpen catcher for part of the season.
"I'll do anything coach Murphy tells me to, whether it's catch bullpen, go run bases, or anything else," Greg said. "I'm just privileged to be here because it's such an awesome program."
While Brett has already established himself and will be most likely heading to the pros next season, Greg's immediate future is as a Sun Devil.
"Murphy talked to me and said that I'll redshirt this year; get stronger, get better and he says he sees a bright future for me in the next couple years," Greg said.
Brett also sees his younger sibling making a significant contribution to the program because of his versatility.
"Greg can play second, third, shortstop and has been switch hitting in the batting cages," Brett said. "Murphy said he sees [Greg] being a major contributor here, which is great."
It is this work ethic that makes the Bordes brothers stand out in the crowd. Brett wasn't always the ace in the pen for ASU, but has worked hard to attain that status.
"We've worked on things, but [Brett] and I laughed today because it's taken four years to basically get him to where he wanted to be," Murphy said. "The kid's got a tremendous, tremendous mentality and he doesn't get enough credit."
As No. 17 ASU gears up for a four-game road swing that includes two ranked teams, Brett Bordes will once again be called on to get the tough outs.
And, just like tee-ball and their days at Dobson High, his biggest fan and lifelong teammate will be cheering from the dugout.
Reach the reporter at thomas.j.kelley@asu.edu.
