Wichita State Coasts Past Kansas State, 13-2
Apr 09, 2003 | Baseball
April 9, 2003
Wichita, Kan. - Wichita State scored four runs each in the second, fifth and eighth innings, as the Shockers sent Kansas State to its 12th consecutive loss in a 13-2 victory on Wednesday evening before a crowd of 3,367 at Eck Stadium.
With the win, Wichita State improved to 24-11 on the season, while Kansas State fell to 10-20 overall with the loss. The 12-game losing streak ties for the third-longest losing streak in school history and represents the longest since also dropping 12 in a row in 1994. The skid ties that 1994 squad for the longest in the Mike Clark era. The streak is a mere two games shy of the longest mark in school history of 14 in 1984.
Wichita State took advantage of a rocky outing by Wildcat starter Jared Brite, as the Shockers plated four runs on two hits, four walks and two stolen bases in the bottom of the second inning. Junior third baseman Cody Clark led off the inning with a walk followed by an fielder's choice and an error. Junior designated hitter Bryan Erstad walked to load the bases before Clark scored the first run on a fielder's choice by sophomore shortstop Nick McCoola. After a stole base to put runners at second and third with just one out, sophomore catcher Joe Muich laced a single to shallow left-center field to score both senior outfielder Ryan Bell and Erstad. With Muich at second after a sacrifice, junior second baseman Brandon Green singled to center field to score Muich and put the Shockers up 4-0.
Facing yet another deficit, Kansas State responded with a run in the top of the third inning on two hits. Sophomore outfielder Terry Blunt led off the inning with a single to center then moved into scoring position at second on a sacrifice. Junior third baseman Ty Soto plated the Wildcats' first run as he drove his second double to the gap in right-center field. The Wildcats earned a pair of walks to load the bases with just one out, however, senior catcher Ryan Baldwin lined into a 1-2-3 double play to end the threat.
Kansas State closed the gap to 4-2 in the fourth inning, as the team scored a run on one hit, one error and a walk. After a flyout to start the inning, senior shortstop Brett Williams walked then moved to second on a single by senior second baseman Brandon Taylor. Williams moved to third on a fielder's choice before scoring on an error on the at-bat of junior outfielder Brad Anzman.
The score remained the same until the bottom of the fifth inning when the Shockers took advantage of a rough outing by Wildcat reliever Frank Bauer to score four runs on six hits. Junior first baseman Logan Sorensen started the inning with a single then scored on the first of back-to-back RBI doubles by junior outfielder Drew Moffitt and Clark. Clark moved to third on a balk then scored on a single by Erstad. Erstad moved to second on a stolen base then scored the final run of the inning on a wild pitch for an 8-2 lead.
WSU added another run in the sixth, as Moffitt scored from third base on a sacrifice fly by pinch hitter J.R. DiMercurio. After a flyout, Moffitt walked then moved around to third on a single by Clark and an intentional walk to pinch hitter Mark Johnson.
The Shockers added four more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning on five hits and two errors. Moffitt led off the inning with a single to center field then scored on Clark's two-run home run to left field. Johnson followed with a solo home run on the next pitch to increase the lead to 12-2. DiMercurio scored the final run, as he reached on an error by the second baseman then moved home on a single by McCoola and a sacrifice fly by junior outfielder Nick Blasi.
Clark paced the Shocker attack with a 3-for-4 performance with three RBIs and three runs scored, while Moffitt added a 2-for-3 afternoon with three runs scored and a RBI. Muich posted a 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Soto was the lone Wildcat with more than one hit, as he went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Freshman left-handed pitcher Steve Uhlmansiek (4-1) allowed just one earned run in five innings pitched to collect the win for Wichita State, as he allowed two runs overall on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts.
Brite dropped to 0-2 on the season in picking up the loss for Kansas State, as he allowed four runs on two hits in 1-2/3 innings pitched with three walks and just one strikeout. The Wildcats used a season-high
Kansas State returns to action on Friday, as the Wildcats begin an 11-game homestand with the start of a three-game series against 17th-ranked Texas A&M (26-11, 7-5 Big 12) at Tointon Family Stadium beginning at 7 p.m.
