Southern Illinois University
Wichita St.
Baseball Falls to Wichita State, 14-4, in MVC Finale
05/11/2003 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
May 11, 2003
Carbondale, Ill. - Drew Moffitt went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer, a double, three runs scored and three RBI to help lead Wichita State (38-23, 16-12) to a 14-4 win over Southern Illinois (26-23, 17-13) earlier today at Abe Martin Field. The Shockers, who had 18 hits on the day, won the four-game series, 3-1.
SIU, who finished up Missouri Valley Conference play at 17-13 (.567), dropped to third in the league standings, while WSU moved into second with its 16-12 (.571) mark. Depending on what happens around the league in the next week, SIU could even fall to fourth, as it will be idle during the final weekend of Valley play.
After falling behind 3-0 in the top of the first, SIU rallied in the bottom half of the frame to tie the game. P.J. Finigan drew a lead off walk and Ross Kowzan singled to right field. With two on and no one out, Sal Frisella hit into a fielder's choice. Moments later, Toby Barnett reached on a fielder's choice and Greg Andrews cleared the bases with a three-run homer to left center.
The Salukis took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the second when Finigan hit a two-out, RBI-double to score Nathan Emrick, who had singled earlier in the inning.
SIU's lead, however, was short-lived, as WSU answered with a five-run ambush in the top of the third. Moffitt doubled to right center and immediately scored on a home run by Cody Clark. Two more doubles courtesy of Nick McCoola (1) and Shawn Smarsh (2) accounted for the last three runs which gave the Shockers a 8-4 lead.
WSU would score five more runs over the next two innings to blow the game wide open.
In the top of the fourth, Clark and Blasi each had RBI-singles to push the Shockers' lead to 10-4. Then, WSU scored another three runs in the fifth, which saw Moffitt draw a RBI-walk, Smarsh score on a double play ball and Blasi score unearned on a passed ball by Barnett.
Ahead 13-4, the Shockers needed one more run to put the game to rest thanks to the league's 10-run rule, and they got it in the top of the seventh. Erstad's single to right scored Blasi to complete the 14-4 win.
Freshman Tyler Norrick suffered the loss, as he was one of four Saluki pitchers to see mound time. Norrick, who fell to 2-1 on the season, lasted 2.2 innings in which he gave up seven hits, a walk and eight earned runs. Adam Snyder, Finigan and Jerel Deitering also threw for the Dawgs.
Tommy Hottovy (2-1) picked up a relief win for the Shockers after replacing starter Jereme Foster in the fourth. Hottovy struck out four, walked four and gave up three hits in four scoreless innings.
In addition to its pitching troubles, SIU had a runner picked off on a rare play in the bottom of the fourth. Emrick was on first base and Ross Kowzan was up to bat with a 2-2 count. It appeared as if Kowzan thought the count was full, and on the next pitch, which was a ball, he started jogging up the first base line. When he saw Kowzan take off for first, Emrick left the bag and started running towards second which was occupied by Matt Brewer. Emrick was then tagged out on a 2-3 pick off.
Offensively, Emrick led the Salukis going a perfect 3-for-3 with a run scored. Barnett followed with two hits.
For WSU, several Shockers had multiple-hit games, including Blasi (4), Moffitt (3), Clark (2), Erstad (2) and Smarsh (2).
Additionally, there were a total of nine extra-base hits in the game, including six doubles and three home runs. Moffitt, Clark and Andrews each homered. For Andrews, the three-run smash, marked his seventh round-tripper of the season.
SIU concludes its 2003 regular season on Tuesday, May 13 when it plays Saint Louis University. The Salukis and Billikens play a 7 p.m., contest at GMC Stadium in Sauget, Ill.
