The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Kansas State
No. 22 Baseball takes series from Kansas State with 8-5 win
03.25.2012 | Baseball
March 25, 2012
Box Score
| Box Score
| Play-by-play
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Texas moves to 5-1 in Big 12 games after Sunday's 8-5 win over the Kansas State Wildcats at Tointon Family Stadium. Texas' number 2-4 hitters, Jordan Etier, Erich Weiss and Jonathan Walsh scored all eight runs and seven of the eight RBI in the series finale win.
Texas (13-9, 5-1 Big 12) opened the game with two runs in the first inning. With one out, Jordan Etier and Erich Weiss had back-to-back triples, which plated Etier, and put the Longhorns up 1-0. Jonathan Walsh followed with an RBI double down the right field line to score Weiss and push Texas' lead to 2-0.
After keeping the Wildcats (13-10, 2-4 Big 12) off the bases in the first inning, RHP Ricky Jacquez allowed a leadoff home run to Wade Hinkle in the second, which cut Texas' lead to 2-1. Jacquez then retired two batters with a groundout and a strikeout. With two outs, Austin Fisher singled, but Jacquez struck out the next batter to end Kansas State's threat.
The Longhorns responded in the top of the third. Etier reached base on a single to center field, then Weiss hit a two-run home run off Kansas State RHP Kayvon Bahramzadeh. This put Texas up 4-1.
Kansas State scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game. Tanner Witt led off with a double, and then was driven home on Ross Kivett's single up the middle.
After walking Jake Brown, the Longhorns went to the bullpen and LHP Hoby Milner entered the game. Milner walked his first batter, Jared King, which loaded the bases, then struck out the Wade Hinkle for the first out of the inning. Matt Giller singled to plate Kivett, and Mike Kindel was hit by a pitch, which scored Jake Brown and tied the game at 4-4. Milner then induced a foul out and a groundout to end the inning.
In the top of the seventh, LHP Robert Youngdahl entered the game to pitch. With one out, Etier hit a single though the left side, then moved to second after Weiss was hit by a pitch. Kansas State then brought RHP Gerardo Esquivel in to pitch to Walsh, who doubled to right center and scored Etier and Weiss. This gave Texas a two-run lead, 6-4.
Kansas State cut Texas' lead to one run once again in the bottom of the eighth. RHP John Curtiss walked Kivett, and then LHP Dillon Peters entered the game to get Brown to strikeout looking. RHP Corey Knebel then was brought in to pitch against King, who tripled to left center field, and scored Kivett.
Texas entered the top of the ninth with a 6-5 lead. LHP Jared Moore started the ninth for Kansas State and gave up a first pitch home run to Weiss. Walsh followed with a single to shortstop, then Brooks Marlow struck out. The Wildcats replaced Moore with RHP Tanner Witt. Walsh stole second, and then Silver doubled to plate him, which increased Texas' lead to 8-5.
Knebel earned his 24th career save after retiring Kansas State in order in the bottom of the ninth with a groundout, a fly out and a strikeout. This tied him with J. Brent Cox (2003-05) for second place on UT's career saves list. He now only trails Huston Street (2002-04), who has 41.
Milner earned the win, which puts him at 4-3 on the season. He allowed three hits, one walk and struck out two batters in his 2 innings of work. Youngdahl earned his first loss of the season after giving up one hit and two earned runs.
Walsh went 4-5 in the game, with a double and a stolen base. Weiss was 3-4, with two home runs and a triple. Etier went 3-5 on Sunday, with a triple. Silver also was 3-5, with a double. Mark Payton extended his streak of games reaching base to 22 after walking twice.
Texas returns to action against UT-Pan American on Wednesday, March 28, at 6 p.m. at Disch-Falk Field.
