Maloney's Two-Run Home Run Propels K-State to Win
Mar 29, 2002 | Baseball
March 29, 2002
Manhattan, Kan. - Junior outfielder Pat Maloney connected on his team-leading eighth home runs of the season with a two-out, two-run shot in the bottom of the eighth inning to propel Kansas State to 9-8 come-from-behind victory over eighth-ranked Nebraska in a Big 12 Conference baseball game played before a season-best 425 fans on Friday afternoon at Tointon Family Stadium.
The comeback win was the fifth by the Wildcats this season and the second this week when trailing after eight innings.
With the win, Kansas State ran its winning streak to a season-best four games and improved to 15-10 overall and 2-2 in Big 12 Conference play. Nebraska dropped to 16-8 on the season and 6-4 in conference action. The win also snapped a three-game winning streak by Cornhuskers in the series. It was the Wildcats' first win over Nebraska since a 4-3 win at home on March 10, 2000.
Neither team recorded double-digit hits, as Kansas State outhit Nebraska, 8-6, but both teams took advantage of a tight strikeout zone with a combined 12 walks. The Wildcats struggled in the field with three errors to the Cornhuskers' one.
"We have been doing that all season," said Wildcat head coach Mike Clark about the comeback. "I talked to the guys late in the game about how we've been winning games in the eighth and ninth inning all season. We just need to get some on base to get things started. I was really happy for Brad (Anzman) getting a big hit to step up Pat (Maloney). Pat proved again that he is one of the best hitters in the Big 12 Conference. This is great start for us, but we need to celebrate then forget this one because we need to come back and get ready for another battle tomorrow. "
Both teams took advantage of early struggles by both pitchers, as each team combined to score four runs in the first two innings. Nebraska got consecutive walks to start the game before catcher Jed Morris scored the first run with a single up the middle. After an out, second baseman Jeff Blevins grounded out for Nebraska's second run followed by designated hitter Justin Seely's RBI single to left field. Kansas State responded in the bottom of the inning with two runs on two walks, a hit batter and a fielding error. Designated hitter Tim Doty and outfielder Gabe Luttrell each had RBIs in the inning.
Nebraska increased its lead to 4-2 on a RBI-single by outfielder Drew Anderson before Kansas State knotted it at 4-all with a RBI-single by Maloney and a fielder's choice by Doty. After a scoreless inning, the Wildcat broke the tie on another RBI-single by Maloney in the fourth then pushed the lead to 6-4 in the fifth on third baseman Ty Soto's first home run of the season. It marked the second straight year that Soto had homered off Nebraska's All-American pitcher Shane Komine. Last season, he connected on his first home run of his career against Komine in Lincoln.
Down 6-4 heading into the seventh inning, Nebraska jumped back on top with three runs on two hits and two errors. With one out, Morris doubled followed by first baseman Matt Hopper reaching on an error by shortstop Osmar Castillo. On the next at-bat, Blevins tied the score with a two-run double to right field then advanced to third on a fielding error. He then broke the tie, as he scored on a wild pitch a pitch later. The Huskers added an insurance run in the eighth, as shortstop Will Bolt stole third and then scored on an errant throw by the catcher for a 8-6 lead.
In the bottom of the eighth, pinch-hitter Brad Anzman singled past the shortstop then stole second. After a pitching change, Castillo singled to right field to score Anzman and close the gap to 8-7. After a wild pitch to advance Castillo to second and a strikeout, Maloney connected on his eighth home run to give Kansas State to lead for good at 9-8. Wildcat reliever Franco Pezely then got a ground out, a fly out and a strikeout to end the game.
Maloney led all hitters with his 3-for-4 performance with four RBIs and one run scored, while Doty added two RBIs. Castillo went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a RBI, while first baseman Brett Williams made the most of his 1-for-2 day with two runs scored.
Blevins had three RBIs on his 1-for-5 day, while Morris had a 2-for-5 day with two runs scored and a RBI.
Senior left-handed pitcher Franco Pezely (4-0) earned his fourth win in relief, as he allowed two runs (zero earned) on two hits with four strikeouts in 2-2/3 innings of work. Wildcat starter Ross Hawley picked up his fifth no-decision of the season, as he allowed six runs (five earned) on four hits with three strikeouts and a season-high seven walks in 6-1/3 inning.
Junior right-handed pitcher Waylon Byers (1-2) notched the loss in relief for Nebraska, as he allowed two runs (both earned) on two hits with one strikeout in one inning. Husker starter Shane Komine collected the no-decision, as he allowed six runs (four earned) on five hits with five strikeouts and a career-tying four walks.
Kansas State continues its three-game series with Nebraska on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.
