K-State Continues Skid In 14-5 Loss to Washington
Apr 15, 2003 | Baseball
April 15, 2003
Manhattan, Kan. - Washington blew open a 4-0 lead with a six-run fourth inning that included four home runs, as the visiting Huskies posted a 14-5 decision over Kansas State in a non-conference game played Tuesday evening at Tointon Family Stadium.
With the win, Washington improved to 23-12 on the season, while Kansas State fell to 10-24 overall with the loss. The Wildcats have now dropped a school-record 16 straight games dating back to March 21, including four in non-conference action. The 16-game losing skid ranks as the longest current streak in Division I and ties Canisius for the second-longest of the 2003 season. A K-State loss on Wednesday to Washington would match Maryland-Eastern Shore for the longest losing streak at 17 games.
Washington jumped on top in the first inning, as freshman outfielder Brent Lillibridge led off the game with a single through the left side before advancing all the way to third on a stolen base and a wild pitch. Lillibridge then scored on a ground out to the shortstop on the next at-bat.
The Huskies added to their lead with two runs on two hits and an error in the second inning. Sophomore first baseman Kyle Larsen walked then moved to second on a wild pitch before senior shortstop Tila Reynolds connected on a RBI single down the left field line. Reynolds scored the second run on the next at-bat, as sophomore outfielder Taylor Johnson reached on an error by the first baseman.
Washington added another run in the third inning, as Larsen scored from third on an error by the third baseman.
The Huskies then blew open the 4-0 lead with a six-run fourth inning. Johnson led off the inning with a walk then moved to second on a passed ball. After a pitching change, UW connected on four home runs in five plate appearances. Lillibridge crushed a ball to deep center field to plate Johnson followed just four pitches later by a solo shot from junior second baseman Greg Issacson. After a walk, junior outfielder Chad Boudon drilled a two-run shot to right field before junior John Otness homered to left field for the final run of the inning.
Down 10-0 just four and half innings into the game, Kansas State responded with two run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Senior shortstop Brett Williams led off the inning with a double to right-center field followed by a two-run home run by junior third baseman Zack Saunders.
After a scoreless sixth inning, Washington got back both runs in the seventh on three hits. Lillibridge connected on his second home run of the game with a solo shot to left field to lead off the inning followed by a single by Isaacson and a RBI double by sophomore catcher Aaron Hathaway. However, the Wildcats responded with two of their own in the bottom of the inning, as Williams drilled the team's second home run of the game with a two-run shot to left field.
The Huskies added two more runs in the eighth inning on three hits and an error to advantage the score to 14-4. Junior outfielder Mike Wagner and Isaacson each had RBI singles.
Kansas State completed the scoring in the bottom of the ninth, as Husky reliever Jamie Hawkins walked the first three batters before allowing a RBI single by Saunders to right field. However, Hawkins calmed down to strikeout the next batter and force a double play to end the game.
Isaacson paced the Washington attack with a 4-for-5 performance with three RBIs and two runs scored, while Lillibridge added a 3-for-4 effort with three RBIs and three runs scored. Otness also had a three-hit evening with a RBI and a run scored.
Saunders and Williams were the only Wildcats with more than one hit, as Saunders went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored, while Williams added a 2-for-3 evening with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Josh Conover improved to 2-0 on the season in collecting the win for Washington, as he allowed four runs on five hits in seven innings pitched with six strikeouts and one walk.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Jared Brite dropped to 0-3 on the season in taking the loss for Kansas State, as he allowed five runs (three earned) on four hits in three innings pitched with three strikeouts and five walks.
Kansas State concludes its two-game series with Washington on Wednesday with first pitch set for 12 p.m. at Tointon Stadium.
