02/18/06–
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JAGS DROP 6-2 DECISION TO NO. 25 WICHITA STATE
Box
Score
CONTACT:
Kevin Sytko
MOBILE,
Ala. - The University of South Alabama baseball team lost
back-to-back games for the first time this season as they were knocked
off by No. 25 Wichita State in game three of the 2006 Coca-Cola
Classic Saturday at Stanky Field. With the loss South Alabama drops
to 4-4 on the season.
Wichita State
jumped on South Alabama starter Zach Piccola in the first inning,
taking advantage of a lead off walk to Josh Workman and a double
by Damon Sublett. Piccola induced a groundout, but Brandon Hall
blooped a single to left field scoring two runs and putting the
Shockers up by a score of 2-0.
The Shockers
built on their lead in the fifth inning. Derek Schermerhorn led
off with a double to right center field. USA then went to the bullpen,
bringing in Eric Gonzalez. On the first pitch, Gonzalez uncorked
a wild pitch moving Schermerhorn to third base. Shocker third baseman,
Conor Gillaspie then lifted a sacrifice fly to center field putting
the Shockers up by three.
The news got
worse for South Alabama in the sixth when Wichita State plated two
more runs. Workman picked up an RBI single to right field. Blake
Hurlbutt scored from third when Workman was caught trying to steal
second base. Wichita State led 5-0.
South Alabama
got on the board in the bottom of the seventh inning, when Bill
Kleinschrodt was hit by a pitch to open the inning. Tyler Jones
then followed with a single to right center and Ben Daw drew a walk
to load the bases. With two out in the inning, Freese ripped a single
to centerfield, plating a pair and cutting the score to 5-3.
Wichita State
added one run in the top of the eighth when Matt Brown tripled off
of the right field wall and came around to score on a Tyler Hill
single to left centerfield, making the score 6-2 Shockers. A lead
they would never relinquish.
“Wichita
State played very well, they jumped on us early,” said South
Alabama head coach Steve Kittrell. “We just couldn’t
seem to bunch our hits together.”
WSU was able
to do most of its damage by getting its lead off runner on in seven
of the nine innings. Piccola went four innings giving up three runs
and striking out three. Freese’s single in the first inning
extended his hitting streak to 13 games dating back to last season.
South Alabama
will take on Southern Miss Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in the final game
of the Coca-Cola Classic. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or
by calling the USA Ticket Office at 460-6047.
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