Search result for Ben Wong

Ticket punched: Team Mexico advances to quarterfinals of World Baseball Classic with win over Team Canada

PHOENIX – Thanks to a clutch offensive round by Randy Arozarena and Alexis Wilson throughout group play at the World Baseball Classic, Team Mexico cruised through and punched a ticket to the quarterfinals in MIami, Florida.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena recorded five RBI against Team Canada to help secure Mexico's spot in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinal. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

With NCAA tournament implications on line, ASU men’s basketball makes strong case in USC win

LAS VEGAS – In Arizona State’s second-round game of the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament, the Sun Devils defeated USC 77-72 to set up an in-state matchup against the Arizona Wildcats.

ASU guard Jamiya Neal, dribbling swiftly across the baseline against USC, came off the bench and finished the game with nine points, three rebounds and three assists. (Photo by Nikash Nath/Cronkite News)

‘Full circle’ moment: Composer Ben Shirley returns to LA’s Skid Row

LOS ANGELES – Ben Shirley credits his time at the Midnight Mission on Los Angeles’ Skid Row for his success. Once homeless, he kicked his alcohol addiction.


Student of the game: ASU junior Cris Valle working overtime as Hamilton boys basketball coach

CHANDLER – Former Hamilton basketball star Cris Valle had a dream of playing professional basketball. However, he found a true passion for coaching and giving back what he learned to the next generation of players.

Hamilton boys freshman assistant coach Cris Valle has successfully transitioned from player to coach, while balancing the demands of his school work at Arizona State University. (Photo by Hayden Cilley/Cronkite News)

‘Best team in the state’: Perry Pumas complete one-loss season with first-ever Open Division championship trophy

PHOENIX – Cody Williams and Koa Peat paced the Perry Pumas to help finish off a historic season on Saturday night, defeating the Sunnyslope Vikings 74-58 in the first-ever Open championship.

The Perry Pumas won the inaugural Open Division basketball championship against Sunnyslope on Saturday to finish the season 30-1. (Photo by Zach Woodard/Cronkite News)

Wildcats letdown: UCLA knocks Arizona out of Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Tournament

LAS VEGAS - After a competitive first half between the fourth-seeded University of Arizona and fifth-seeded UCLA, the Bruins pulled away in the second half to beat the Wildcats 73-59 in the quarterfinal of the Pac-12 Women's Basketball Tournament.


ASU’s resilience in Pac-12 women’s tournament exemplifies response from season-long adversity

LAS VEGAS – Though Arizona State was knocked out of the Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Tournament in the first round Wednesday, the team displayed the resilience it had all season long.


George ‘The Sodfather’ Toma sheds light on Super Bowl 57 field issues

GLENDALE – Weeks following the confetti raining down on the Super Bowl 57 champions Kansas City Chiefs, the answer to what caused poor field conditions remained at large. The man who has worked on all 57 Super Bowl fields, ‘The Sodather’ George Toma, stepped out of the shadows to spill on what caused the slippery playing surface.

The State Farm Stadium field for Super Bowl 57 caused slick conditions for the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles and forced players to change their cleats mid-game. (Photo by Susan Wong/Cronkite News)

Abraham Toro enters Brewers camp with clean slate following wild ride to big leagues

PHOENIX – After a wild ride from Houston to Seattle and Milwaukee, Abraham Toro hopes to earn a role on the Brewers roster in spring training after a career defined by wild moments and difficulty finding playing time.

Abraham Toro's golden opportunity in Brewers spring training comes with stiff competition for the second base job. (Photo by Robert Crompton/Cronkite News)

EPA proposal would stop SRP from dumping coal ash into existing evaporation pond at Coronado Generating Station

PHOENIX — The EPA is proposing to reject an SRP application which argues that the utility should be allowed to dump coal ash into an evaporation pond at its Coronado Generating Station in St. Johns.

The EPA has said it intends to deny a request by Salt River Project to continue disposing coal ash from its Coronado Generating Station in St. Johns into an unlined pond. (Photo by James R. Eastwood/SRP)

High expectations: Brewers hope to make playoff push beginning with spring training

PHOENIX – With pitchers and catchers participating in the World Baseball Classic reporting to spring training Monday and position players Thursday, the Milwaukee Brewers have high expectations for new additions as well as returning players. However, one thing remains clear: Everyone is excited to be back together in Phoenix.


Despite recent struggles, ASU baseball looks to end Men’s College World Series drought

PHOENIX – ASU has one of the more storied programs in all of college baseball, yet the Sun Devils have failed to reach the Men’s College World Series since 2010. Will that trend end this season? The Sun Devils enter Friday’s opener with optimism.

Arizona State baseball coach Willie Bloomquist sounds optimistic about the upcoming season, saying, “I’m sleeping better this time than I was last year at this time.” (Photo by Nikash Nath/Cronkite News)