K-State's Bat Come Alive in 14-6 Win Over Bethany
Apr 17, 2002 | Baseball
April 17, 2002
Manhattan, Kan. - Junior first baseman Brett Williams went 4-for-5 with three RBIs and three runs scored and junior catcher Ryan Baldwin connected on his first career grand slam, as Kansas State posted a 14-6 victory over Bethany on Wednesday afternoon at Tointon Family Stadium.
Kansas State improved to 20-16 overall, while Bethany, a NAIA school from Lindsborg, Kan., fell to 18-17 on the season. The Wildcats blasted out 15 hits, including five extra-base hits, but again left runners on base with 12 stranded on the day. The Swedes made the most of their five hits with six runs on the day, including five in the top of the eighth inning.
"I was happy for the most part today," said Wildcat head coach Mike Clark. "Brett (Williams) and Gabe (Luttrell) did a nice job at the plate. They really came through at some important moments. I was glad that we were able to play a lot of guys today. I thought the pitching staff did a good job. We were able to give Jonathan (Gutierrez) a good outing as well as get some of our other guys some time. There were a lot of positives."
Kansas State jumped on the scoreboard first, as Williams connected on the first of three singles on the day with a RBI-single to right center to score junior outfielder Pat Maloney from second base. Junior outfielder Gabe Luttrell followed a batter later with his first triple of the season down the right field corner to score both third baseman Ty Soto and Williams. Luttrell then made it 4-0 in favor of the Wildcats, as he scored on freshman outfielder Mark Montgomery's single to right field.
After a pair of scoreless innings, Kansas State increased its lead to 9-0 in the fourth inning with five runs on four hits and an error. Second baseman Brandon Taylor led off the offensive inning with a one-out single past the third baseman followed by a walk to Maloney. Soto and Williams then had RBI hits, including a double by Williams, to score Taylor and Maloney. After Luttrell reached on an error by the shortstop, Montgomery scored Soto on a ground out. Junior catcher Jeremy Rogers then plated the inning's final runs with a two-run double to left field to score Williams and Luttrell.
Wildcat starter Jonathan Gutierrez held the Swedes' hitless until the top of the fifth inning when first baseman Matt McGee singled to right field. followed by outfielder Todd Just's single to center field. After a pair of outs, outfielder Chad Rea reached on an error by the first baseman, allowing McGee to score from third base and cut the lead to 9-1. K-State responded with a run of its own in the bottom of the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Williams.
Kansas State extended its advantage to 14-1 in the seventh inning with four runs all on Baldwin's grand slam over the left field fence. However, Bethany didn't die, as the Swedes plated five runs in the eighth inning, highlighted by third baseman Cal Tammen's two-RBI double to right field.
Williams paced four Wildcats with multiple-hit games with his 4-for-5 afternoon, while Luttrell went 2-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBIs. Montgomery and Castillo each went 2-for-4, while Baldwin led both teams with four RBIs on the day.
Tammen led the Bethany offensively with his 2-for-4 afternoon with two RBIs and one run scored.
Gutierrez improved to 3-0 on the season, as he allowed just one run (not earned) on two hits with a season-tying six strikeouts and one walk in five innings of work. Senior Clay Conard took the loss for Bethany, as he allowed nine runs (six earned) on nine hits with four strikeouts and three walks in four innings.
Kansas State returns to Big 12 Conference action this weekend, as the Wildcats play host to ninth-ranked Texas (31-10, 9-6 Big 12) at Tointon Family Stadium. Friday's game is set for a 3 p.m. first pitch, while Saturday and Sunday are set for 2 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.
