Cats Come Up Short at No. 18 Arizona State
Mar 14, 2007 | Baseball
K-State scored two runs to tie the game in the third inning and four more in the final three innings, but
The Wildcats threatened in the top of the first as Derek Bunker was hit by a pitch, Adam Muenster singled and Wiley walked. But, with one out, Bloxom grounded into an inning-ending double play to end the threat. The Sun Devils then struck in the bottom of the first as two walks led to two runs and Ike Davis lifted a two-out double over Wiley’s head in center to plate both runners.
K-State battled back and tied the game in the third with two, two-out runs of its own as Wiley dropped a single into left to plate Daniel Dellasega and Muenster. Dellasega led off with a walk and Muenster single to right with one out before Wiley came through with a clutch two-out hit.
ASU added two more unearned runs off reliever Tyler Ruch in the fifth to go ahead, 7-2. An errant throw from first baseman Drew Biery on a bunt attempt loaded the bases with nobody out, while a double play followed to make all runs unearned for the inning. Then, three straight two-out hits led to two more runs in the sixth as the Sun Devils upped their lead to 9-2. Ruch was solid in relief, after giving up two earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts in 3.2 innings.
The Wildcats got back in the run column in the seventh as Dellasega drew a one-out walk and Bunker and Drew Biery each singled to load the bases. Then, with two outs, Wiley reached on a throwing error by the ASU shortstop which allowed two runners to score and draw the Cats to within 9-4. Bloxom then grounded out, stranding two runners in scoring position.
A wild pitch plated the Cats’ fifth run of the game in the eighth as Tenbrink walked, Brett Scott was hit by a pitch and a fly out moved Tenbrink to third. Tenbrink then raced home when a Joey Parigi breaking ball went to the backstop.
Muenster, Bloxom and Rumler led the Wildcats’ nine-hit attack with two hits each.
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