Creighton University
Wichita State
Jays Baseball Drops Series Finale In Wichita 7-1
4/8/2007 3:00:00 AM | Baseball
Mancuso (4-1) took the loss, as he finished his day giving up five runs on 10 hits, recording two strikeouts in 5.1 innings of work.
WSU left-hander Rob Musgrave (6-0) earned the victory going eight innings giving up one unearned run on four hits and striking out four CU batters.
The Shockers scored three runs in the bottom of the first, two in the bottom of the sixth and single runs in the seventh and eighth. On the other side, the Bluejays only managed to get a single run in the top of the third, as they drop their first MVC series of the season losing back-to-back games for the first time since Mar. 7 at
CU's lone run of the day came in top half of the third when designated hitter Andy Masten recorded an RBI groundout to third that scored Ryan Urzendowski. Masten's RBI was setup by back-to-back singles by Urzendowski and left fielder Brandon Knox to start the inning. During Knox's at bat, Urzendowski advanced to second on a passed ball and was moved to third on Knox's single up the middle, while Knox got to second on a throw from the outfield. Robbie Knight then flied out to right field, before Masten came to plate, as CU got back in the game trailing 3-1.
That would be all the Jays would get though as strong Shockers' pitching made it a tough uphill climb. Musgrave allowed CU just four hits through eight, while Kyle Touchatt closed the deal in the ninth allowing CU just another two hits, as the Jays were held to just nine hits in the final two games of the series after recording eight in Friday's come-from-behind win.
WSU got the game's scoring started putting up three runs in the bottom of the first. Damon Sublett and Derek Schermerhorn started the inning with two straight singles. Sublett got to third on Schermerhorn's hit and scored when Chris Gradoville mishandled a pitch from Mancuso that gave WSU a 1-0 lead. Schermerhorn advanced to third on the passed ball and was then caught stealing following a fly out by Matt Brown to left field.
With two outs in the inning, it appeared Mancuso may get out surrending just a single run, but a single by Danny Jackson brought Conor Gillaspie to the plate that spelled trouble for the Omaha native (Creighton Prep). Gillaspie took an 0-1 pitch and sent it over the wall in right field for a two-run homer, as the Shockers took a 3-0 lead.
Ahead 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth, WSU added two more to its total as catcher Tyler Weber hit a two-RBI double to right center, that plated Aaron Dirks and Trevor Coleman.
Bluejay senior Scott Reese then came in following Weber's double to replace Mancuso and put an end to the bleeding as he got CU the final two outs needed in the frame. The Shockers wouldn't leave him untouched though as with runners on second and third in the bottom of the seventh, Gillaspie struck again to record his third RBI of the day with an RBI single up the middle.
Reese would finish his day working 1.1 innings allowing one run on three hits and striking out one. He would be replaced by Masten who worked the final 1.1 allowing no hits and recording one strikeout.
With the loss the Jays fall to 19-11 overall and 6-3 in MVC play. WSU improved to 26-8 overall and 7-2 in the MVC, as they take the conference lead by one game.
CU will return to action on Tuesday evening when they head to
