Smith's Gem Highlights K-State's 10-1 Win Over Missouri
May 11, 2002 | Baseball
May 11, 2002
Columbia, Mo. - Senior left-handed pitcher Brock Smith threw a four-hit complete game, while the Kansas State offense blew open a tight 2-0 lead with a combined eight runs in the seventh and eighth innings, as the Wildcats posted a 10-1 victory over Missouri on Saturday afternoon before 611 fans at Taylor Stadium.
With the win, Kansas State clinched the season series over Missouri for the second straight year and improved to 25-23 on the season and 10-13 in Big 12 Conference play. Missouri dropped its sixth in a row to fall to 23-27 overall and 9-16 in league play. The Wildcats, who has won six in a row over the Tigers dating back in 2000, are now a full two games ahead of Missouri for the eighth and final spot in the Big 12 Tournament. The team can clinch the eighth spot with a win against the Tigers on Sunday or one win against archrival Kansas next weekend.
"I thought we played a great ballgame across the board," said Wildcat head coach Mike Clark. "Brock was terrific on the mound. He mixed his pitches and didn't leave anything over the middle of the plate. Offensively, we missed out of some opportunities early and I think that frustrated us, but we adjusted and had some great at-bats late in the game. It was a complete ballgame for us."
Kansas State opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, as senior shortstop Osmar Castillo scored from third base on a sacrifice fly by outfielder Pat Maloney. Castillo led off the inning with a single to right field then moved all the way to third base on outfielder Gabe Luttrell's single to center field. Maloney's sacrifice came after Luttrell was caught stealing at second base.
After a scoreless second inning, the Wildcats pushed their lead to 2-0 on another sacrifice fly, as second baseman Brandon Taylor scored from third on Luttrell's fly ball to center field. Taylor led off the inning with a walk then moved to second on a wild pitch. Castillo fired a single down the left field line to move Taylor to third, while Castillo advanced to second on the throw. However, the Wildcats weren't able to capitalize on the opportunity, as the next two batters struck out and lined out to the second baseman.
After allowing outfielder Jayce Tingler a lead-off single down the left field in the first inning, Wildcat starter Brock Smith retired 12 of the next 13 batters, including nine in a row before allowing second baseman Chris Julo a double in the bottom of the fifth inning. However, Smith started a streak of 10 straight batters retired before allowing a single to catcher Ryan Rothford in the eighth inning.
Meanwhile, the Kansas State offense erupted for three runs on three hits and an error in the top of the seventh inning. Outfielder Nick Sorensen led off the inning by reaching second base on a fielding error by second baseman Chris Julo. Sorensen then reached third on a balk before second baseman Brandon Taylor walked. After a pair of pitching changes and a strikeout, Luttrell singled to score Sorensen from third base for a 3-0 lead. Maloney advanced on a fielder's choice before designated hitter Tim Doty and third baseman Ty Soto connected on back-to-back RBI-singles.
Holding a 5-0 lead after seven innings, Kansas State pushed its advantage to 10-0 with five runs on seven hits in the top of the eighth inning. The Wildcats led off the inning with three straight hits, including double by first baseman Brett Williams, before a pitching change. Castillo reached on a fielder's choice for the first run, while Maloney had a RBI double and Doty a two-RBI single.
Outfielder Wes Fewell ended the shutout in the ninth inning, as he drilled a 2-2 count just over the glove of Sorensen in left-center field.
Nearly every Wildcat in the lineup posted a hit, including six multiple-hit and three multiple-RBI games on the day. Taylor went a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs scored and a RBI, while Luttrell added a 3-for-4 performance with two RBI and a run scored. Doty led both teams with a team-best three RBIs on a 2-for-4 afternoon. Maloney extended his hitting streak to a team-best 12 games with his 1-for-3 afternoon with two RBIs and two runs scored. He has now reached base in 26 consecutive games dating back to the Oklahoma State series. He has tallied a hit in 42 of the Wildcats' 48 games this year.
Fewell was one of four Tigers to record hits in the game with a RBI and run scored.
Smith improved to 4-6 on the season with his first career complete game, as he allowed just one run on four hits with two strikeouts and one walk. It was the Wildcats' first complete game since senior Ross Hawley threw a six-hit complete game shutout against Western Illinois on March 11.
True freshman pitcher Justin James dropped to 2-4 on the season, as he allowed two earned runs (four total) on five hits with three strikeouts and four walks in six innings. Relievers Aaron Paterson, Travis Wendte, Matt Hobbs and Drew Endicott allowed six runs on 11 hits the last three innings.
Kansas State concludes its three-game series with Missouri on Sunday with first pitch set for 1 p.m. at Taylor Stadium.
