Oklahoma Scores Early To Post 15-10 Win Over K-State
May 03, 2002 | Baseball
May 3, 2002
Norman, Okla. - Oklahoma scored 11 runs in the first two innings and posted a season-best 19 hits, as the Sooners extended their home winning streak over Kansas State to 15 games with a 15-10 victory over the Wildcats on Friday evening before 1,157 fans at L. Dale Mitchell Park.
With the win, Oklahoma snapped a five-game losing streak in Big 12 Conference play and improved to 27-20 on the season and 9-10 in league play, while Kansas State dropped to 23-21 overall and 8-11 in conference action.
"Pitching obviously put us in a big hole," said Wildcat head coach Mike Clark. "I thought we competed and played hard. We just couldn't get back over the top. I thought our effort overall was outstanding. It was a tough situation. We just have to come out tomorrow and play a good ball game."
Kansas State had a chance to strike first in the opening inning, as the Wildcats loaded the bases with two outs on a infielder single by shortstop Osmar Castillo, a walk to designated hitter Tim Doty and a hit by pitch to third baseman Ty Soto. However, catcher Ryan Baldwin struck out to end the threat. In the bottom of the inning, Wildcat starter Ross Hawley again had a shaky first inning, as he walked the first two batters before giving up a single to outfielder Jason Fransz to load the bases. Designated hitter Luke Alexander then fired a 1-0 pitch over the right field fence for his first career grand slam and give the Sooners a 4-0 lead. OU got singles from catcher Ryan Richardson and first baseman Charlie Frasier on the next two at-bats before third baseman Matt Bose made it 5-0 on a RBI single to right field. After an out on a sacrfice to move the runners to second and third base, outfielder Brandon Jones grounded out to the shortstop to score Frasier and finish out the scoring at 6-0.
Oklahoma continued their impressive offensive showing in the bottom of the second, as the Sooners plated five runs on five hits to increase their lead to 11-0. Outfielder Eddie Cornejo and Fransz each singled to left field to lead off the inning, then after a sacrifice to move the runners in scoring position at second and third, Hawley hit Richardson with a pitch to again load the bases. Redshirt freshman Eric Rollins came on in relief of Hawley on the next at-bat where he struck out Frasier. With two outs in the inning, Bose then cleared the bases with a triple down the right field line. Shortstop Denver Kitch scored Bose on the next at-bat with a single past the second baseman, while Jones scored Kitch on a double to left-center field before being called out at third trying to stretch it into a triple.
After three straight scoreless innings, Kansas State finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth, as the Wildcats scored six runs on three hits and two errors. Doty led off the inning by reaching on a error by the shortstop before moving to second on a wild pitch. Soto then walked followed by a single to right field by Baldwin to load the bases. After a strikeout, outfielder Nick Sorensen plated the first run as he was hit by a pitch. Second baseman Brandon Taylor then singled up the middle for the Wildcats' second run followed by Castillo's fielder's choice that scored the third run. Luttrell walked to post the fourth run, while Maloney singled to left field to plate two more runs. Oklahoma responded with four runs in the bottom of the sixth on five hits to extend the lead to 15-6.
Down to their last three out, the Wildcats posted four runs in the ninth to finish out the scoring at 15-10.
Richardson, Bose and Kitch each posted three hits to pace the Sooners offensively, while Bose posted a career-best five RBIs.
Taylor led the Wildcats offensively, as he posted a 3-for-5 evening with three RBIs and a run scored. Maloney added a 2-for-5 effort with two RBIs.
Freshman left-handed pitcher David Purcey improved his record to 4-3 on the season, as he allowed six runs (two earned runs) on four hits with six strikeouts and four walks in 5-1/3 innings of work. Hawley dropped to 1-5 on the season, as he allowed nine runs (all earned) on seven hits with two walks in 1-1/3 innings, his shortest outing of the season.
Kansas State continues its three-game series with Oklahoma on Saturday with first pitch set for 7 p.m. at L. Dale Mitchell Park.
