Kansas State University
West Virginia University
Apr 22, 2017 | Baseball
GAME RECAP
4
8
21
WEST VIRGINIA
MOUNTAINEERS
23-14 (9-5 Big 12)
NR
K-STATE
WILDCATS
20-19 (3-11 Big 12)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WVU | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 2 |
| KSU | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | X | 8 | 7 | 3 |
- Time of Game: 3:05
- First Pitch: 3:05
- Temperature: 64 F
- Wind: NNE 15
- Attendance: 2,344
- ? GAMECENTER
- ? HIGHLIGHTS
- ? BOX SCORE
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Head coach Brad Hill authored his 436th career victory Saturday, more than any other man that has ever coached at K-State, in an 8-4 win over No. 21 West Virginia at Tointon Family Stadium.
Hill, in his 14th season at the helm of the Wildcats, passes his predecessor Mike Clark (1987-2003) as the winningest coach in program history.
"So many people to thank, going back to the beginning when we first came here," Hill said after his historic win. "I appreciate all the guys that have been here, too, the players, very important.
"He's been so supportive since I've been here," said Hill of Clark, with whom he embraced after the game. "He's a quality person, number one, but he's been very, very supportive of me and the program. Been with me every step of the way."
K-State (20-19, 3-11 Big 12) had timely hitting, as the offense produced seven two-out RBI – including all five of its runs in the sixth inning – and six of its seven hits in the game came with two outs. K-State and West Virginia (23-14, 9-5) split the first two games of the series.
The Wildcats owned a 3-2 lead as the game went to the bottom of the sixth. In their five-run inning, six consecutive hitters reached base with two outs with Josh Ethier, Will Brennan, Quintin Crandall and Jake Scudder recording consecutive two-out RBI base hits. Ethier poked a triple up the right field-line while Scudder roped a double down the third-base line as part of an inning that opened up an 8-2 lead.
West Virginia added single runs in the seventh and ninth innings that cut the deficit to four. In the ninth, the Mountaineers had the bases loaded with two outs and K-State relied on closer Jordan Floyd to get the final out and secure the milestone victory and gather his eighth save of the season.
Jared Marolf pitched a perfect eighth inning in relief of starter Parker Rigler before allowing a pair of singles and a walk, loading the bases for the Mountaineers and made way for Floyd to make the final out.
"We made it a little exciting there at the end, that was supposed to happen," Hill said with a laugh. "But we got a win and that's the main thing."
Rigler had his longest outing since throwing a no-hitter on March 5, as the senior southpaw went seven innings and allowed two earned runs off six hits, striking out three. Rigler collected his third victory of the year, and first since his no-no against Eastern Illinois.
"Came back and did some great things today. Seven two-out RBI today, great positive. Rigler hung in there, kept hanging in there and making enough pitches.
"Our guys have been hanging in there, it's not easy going what we're going through," added Hill. "Last night was tough. That was tough on everybody last night. Bounced back today.
K-State struck in the first inning without recording a hit after Crandall stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and later scored when Scudder grounded out to second base. Scudder led K-State with a game-high three runs driven in and is tied for the Big 12 lead with 44 on the season.
West Virginia answered in the top of the second inning after getting its first two men aboard by way of a walk by Kyle Davis and single from Braden Zarbnisky, respectively. After the two runners advanced due to a wild pitch by starting pitcher Rigler, Brandon White floated a sacrifice fly to score Davis.
The Cats immediately responded with two runs in the bottom half with back-to-back two-out hits by Brennan and Crandall after a WVU error extended the inning. Brennan and Crandall each finished the game with two hits, two RBI and a pair of runs scored.
Jimmy Galusky singled home Davis in the fourth to make it a one-run game at 3-2, where the game remained until the Cats' five-run inning.
Cameron Thompson and Steve Serratore each drew a pair of walks and Kyle Barfield scored a pair of runs. Wildcat hitters combined to walk six times in the game and struck out only twice.
K-State wraps up its three-game set with West Virginia Sunday at Tointon Family Stadium. The rubber game is slated for a 12 p.m. start and will be broadcast on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app. Fans can also listen to K-State Baseball on KMAN 1350 AM, 93.3 FM and streaming free at k-statesports.com.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• K-State scored eight runs on seven hits and committed three errors and left seven runners on base. West Virginia scored four runs on eight hits with two errors and stranded eight baserunners.
• Two Wildcats had multiple-hit day: Brennan and Crandall.
• Brennan, Crandall and Barfield each scored two runs.
• Scudder drove in three runs and is tied for the Big 12 lead with 44 RBI.
• Rigler posted his fourth quality start of the season and picked up his first win since March 5.
• K-State hitters drew a combined six walks while only striking out twice.
• K-State hit .455 (5-for-11) with runners in scoring position with WVU hitting .231 (3-for-13).
• The Cats went 6-for-14 (.429) with two outs and WVU was 4-for-13 (.308)
• K-State got its leadoff man on in one inning while the Mountaineers did so four times.
• Four Wildcat pitchers combined to walk just one Mountaineer hitter.
NOTES
• K-State is now 6-8 all-time vs. WVU and is now 4-4 at home.
• Head coach Brad Hill is now the program's all-time winningest coach, breaking Mike Clark's program record of 435 victories as the Wildcat skipper.
