Diamond 'Dogs Fall, 11-5, In Series Opener At Kennesaw State
May 02, 2008 | Baseball
KENNESAW, Ga. – Gardner-Webb saw a 5-2 lead evaporate in
the seventh inning Friday night, as Kennesaw State stormed from
behind to take an 11-5 win in the A-Sun series opener.
The Owls (25-22, 16-9 A-Sun) rapped out seven hits and scored seven
runs with one out in the seventh to erase the lead built by
Gardner-Webb (21-25 12-16 A-Sun) – and the Diamond ‘Dogs
would have no answer the rest of the way on offense, as stranded
runners began to pile up for the visitors.
GWU had broken a scoreless tie in the third, rapping out four hits
and plating four runs against Kennesaw State sophomore Kyle
Heckathorn – and still led 4-2 despite a two-run home run by
KSU's Ric Bishop in the bottom of the same inning.
GWU pushed across a run to go up 5-2 in the fourth, with Jamall
Kinard rolling a double inside the bag at first base to drive in
Matt Rizzuto – who roped a one-out single earlier in the
frame.
Gardner-Webb starter Jonathon Ban cruised through the next three
innings, but got into trouble with one out in the unfortunate
seventh.
A bunt single by nine-hole hitter Tyler Stubblefield got things
started, and speedy leadoff man Jacob Robbins collected his first
hit of the night – a triple that rolled to the wall. Martin
Baker followed with an RBI single off of reliever Ryan Maxa and
– after a wild pitch – stood at second. Maxa issued a
seven-pitch free pass to Bishop and, after getting behind cleanup
man Jay Morrow 2-0, allowed a sharp single to center that tied the
game, 5-5.
Another wild pitch from Maxa canceled out any double play
possibilities and allowed both KSU base runners to waltz into
scoring position. GWU went to the bullpen for submariner Michael
Lewis, but the rally continued – as Jace Whitmer put the Owls
in front for the first time all night with an RBI single through
the left side of the infield. Curtis Van Wyck followed with another
single to push KSU's lead to 7-5.
Gardner-Webb's Wes Cogdill – the fourth pitcher used in the
seventh – rolled a ground ball to get the second out, but the
‘Dogs couldn't turn the double play to leave runners at the
corners. Two pitches later spelled disaster, as KSU attempted a
delayed double steal and the Owls' catcher wound up stealing home
with the throw to catch him sailed to the backstop – putting
the hosts up 8-5. A bloop single fell in next to drive home Jerome
Wooley for a 9-5 edge, before Cogdill finally got out of the
inning.
GWU managed a pair of one out singles in the top of the eighth, but
stranded both men – giving the ‘Dogs eight stranded
through eight innings.
The Owls added some additional insurance in the bottom of the
eighth, scoring two more on three hits to ice the game.
Maxa (3-3) took the loss in relief, allowing two hits, a walk and
three earned runs without recording an out. Heckathorn (2-2) got
the win, going 7.0 innings and allowing five earned runs on eight
hits (eight strikeouts).
Gardner-Webb managed 10 hits in the game, but saw just one go for
extra bases, and struck out 11 times – including five times in
the last three innings combined. Kinard (2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI),
Rizzuto (2-for-3) and Tyler Johnson (2-for-2) led the way with two
hits apiece.
Kennesaw State had 14 hits, with 10 of those coming in the seventh
and eighth innings. Baker led the way, going 3-for-5 to pace that
effort.
The three-game series will continue Saturday with a doubleheader
beginning at 1 pm ET.
