Doty's Career Day Paces K-State Past FIU, 17-5
Mar 17, 2003 | Baseball
March 17, 2003
Miami, Fla. - Senior first baseman Tim Doty tied the Kansas State single-game record for doubles with three en route to posting his first career grand slam and a career-high seven RBIs, as the Wildcats set season-highs for runs scored and hits in a 17-5 victory over Florida International on Sunday afternoon at University Park.
The game, which was to begin at 12 p.m. EST, was delayed two hours and 10 minutes in the bottom of the first inning due to rain in the area.
With the win, Kansas State improved to 8-6 on the season, while Florida International fell to 18-7 overall with the loss. The 17 runs shattered the previous season-high for runs of 15 set against Creighton on Feb. 18, while the 21 hits broke the previous high for hits of 18 set in the season opener against Western Illinois on Feb. 16. The team also set a season-high with 14 runners left on base.
FIU jumped on the scoreboard first, as the Golden Panthers scored a run on three hits in the bottom of the first inning. After the rain delay and a scoreless second inning , Kansas State took the lead for good with three runs on five hits in the third inning. With two outs in the inning, senior outfielder Gabe Luttrell started the rally with single to left field followed by a walk to junior designated hitter Ty Soto. Doty then connected on the first of his three doubles with a double down the left field line to plate both Luttrell and Soto. Doty scored on the next at-bat, as senior catcher Ryan Baldwin singled down the right field line.
Florida International closed the gap to 3-2 in the bottom of the third inning, as shortstop Luis Rivera reached on an error by Wildcat shortstop Marc Chabot before scoring on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Michael Lopez two batters later.
After a scoreless fourth inning, Kansas State tied a season-high for runs scored in an inning with eight on six hits in the fifth inning to take an 11-2 lead. Doty led off the inning with a double to right-center field followed by Baldwin's first home run of the season over the fence in left field. Senior outfielder Pat Maloney then singled through the right side followed by junior third baseman Zack Saunders double to left-center field. With runners on second and third, senior second baseman Brett Williams connected on his second triple of the season to plate both Maloney and Saunders. After a pitching change and walks to junior shortstop Marc Chabot and Soto, Doty collected his first career grand slam with a shot over the scoreboard in left-center field to cap the inning.
Kansas State extended its lead to 14-2 in the sixth inning with three runs on two hits and three FIU fielding errors. After Williams singled with one out in the inning, Chabot reached first on an error by the shortstop followed by junior outfielder Brad Anzman's single to left-center that loaded the bases. The Wildcats then took advantage of back-to-back errors by the first and third baseman to plate all three runners.
FIU cut into the lead with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on two hits, however, K-State plated three more in the eighth inning on five hits for a 17-4 advantage. After a strikeout, Luttrell, Soto and Doty connected on consecutive doubles followed by singles from Baldwin and pinch hitter Terry Blunt. The Golden Panthers concluded the scoring in the bottom of the eighth with a run on two hits.
Doty paced the Wildcat attack with his 4-for-7 performance with career highs in both RBIs (seven) and runs scored (four). Doty's three doubles tied the school record also set by teammate Gabe Luttrell (2002), J.D. Loudabarger (1998), Chris Wolf (1992) and Craig Wilson (1988). Six other Wildcats also recorded multiple-hit games in the contest. Baldwin went 3-for-5 with three RBIs, one run scored and a home run, while Luttrell added a 3-for-7 performance with two runs scored and a double. Anzman, Soto, Maloney and Williams each had two hits.
Outfielders Adam Summerell and Ricardo Nanita each had two hits for Florida International in the loss, while Nanita and Lopez added two RBIs apiece. Rivera scored a pair of runs.
Junior right-handed pitcher Jim Ripley improved to 2-0 on the season in gaining the win for Kansas State, as he allowed three earned runs (four total) on five hits in six innings of work with a season-high six strikeouts and just one walk.
Junior left-handed pitcher Manuel Monreal dropped to 2-2 in the loss for Florida International in relief, as he allowed eight runs (all earned) on 11 hits in three innings of work with one strikeout and two walks. Monreal came in after starter Arthur Santos left the game after the first inning with an undisclosed injury. Santos allowed two hits in one inning with a strikeout.
Kansas State returns to action at the Papa John's Challenge later today, as the Wildcats play St. Peter's at the Homestead Sports Complex beginning at 7:30 p.m.
