COLLEGE BASEBALL

• Arizona State lifts interim tag from baseball coach Esmay

  Tempe, AZ (Sports Network) - Arizona State lifted the interim tag of baseball coach Tim Esmay, giving him the job on a permanent basis.

  Esmay took over in December to replace Pat Murphy, who resigned after more than 15 years in the position.

  Prior to the 2010 season, Esmay spent the past five seasons as an assistant coach for ASU Baseball, including three as assistant head coach. A former Sun Devil player and assistant coach, Esmay has coached a total of 10 seasons at Arizona State.

  The 45-year-old Esmay has led the Sun Devils to a 47-8 record this regular season. Arizona State earned a No. 1 national seed for the NCAA Tournament and will play Milwaukee in the Tempe Regional on Friday.

  "I am extremely honored to lead this program and carry on the storied tradition," said Esmay. "To be able to be the head coach at my Alma Mater is a dream come true!" Esmay was the head baseball coach at the University of Utah from 1997 to 2004, winning a WAC title and WAC Coach of the Year honors in 1997. In eight seasons at Utah he compiled a 213-235-1 record.

  06/02 20:55:58 ET