Riverside—UC Riverside Baseball fans got their first look at the revamped Highlanders' pitching staff Friday evening, and it did not disappoint as junior transfer Austin Sodders struck out eight batters in six innings, and the bullpen tossed three scoreless innings of relief. Unfortunately, Kansas State's pitching staff was equally as effective, and the Wildcats escaped with the 1-0 win.
Scoring opportunities were at a premium, as both teams put zeroes on the board through the first five innings. The Highlanders and Wildcats each had runners thrown out at third early on, as Casey Worden gunned down Jake Wodtke trying to steal with one out in the top of the fourth, and Colby Schultz was erased after trying to stretch a lead-off double in the bottom of the frame.
The Highlanders also stranded a runner at third in the bottom of the fifth. Mark Contreras drew a one-out walk, and an errant pick-off attempt found its way into the right field bullpen sending him ahead 180 feet. Aaron Cisneros struck out swinging though, and Drake Zarate fouled out to third to end the threat.
The Wildcats finally broke through in the top of the sixth when lead-off-hitter Clayton Dalrymple beat out a single to short, and moved to second on a Wodtke sac bunt. Tyler Wolfe also dropped down a bunt, beating it out for a base hit and putting runners on the corners. Tyler Moore followed with a sac fly to left to put K-State up, 1-0.
UC Riverside looked to counter in their half ot the inning as Cameron Haskell beat out an infield single to second, and Wodtke's throw went past the bag allowing Haskell to take the extra 90 feet. Michael Farris then laid down a sac bunt in front of the plate, which pitcher Corey Fischer fielded cleanly, but his throw was high of the mark. Thankfully for K-State, Wodtke was backing up first on the play, preventing the ball from heading into the Wildcats' bullpen.
That was all for Fischer as Wildcats Head Coach Brad Hill brought in lefty Jordan Floyd to face Schultz. The UCR shortstop drew a walk to load the bases for the meat of the Highlanders' order. Worden popped a fly ball down the right field line into no-man's line. Wodtke was able to catch the ball facing away from the diamond, so the Highlanders sent Haskell from third. But Wodtke's throw was perfect to the plate, to complete the double play. Vince Fernandez grounded out to second as the Wildcats escaped the inning unscathed.
Sodders gave way to Alex Fagalde after six innings of work, allowing just three hits and walking two in addition to his eight Ks. Fagalde pitched two scoreless innings of relief, and Jacob Worrell retired the side in order in the top of the ninth.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders put another runner in scoring position in the bottom of the eighth, but K-State's defense saved the day yet again. With two outs and AJ Sawyer on third, Schultz hit a sharp grounder to the left of third baseman Josh Eithier. Either dove, knocked the ball down, recovered, and got Schultz at first by half a step
K-State closer Lucas Benenati came on to start the bottom of the ninth and sandwiched the first two outs of the inning around a walk to Vince Fernandez. He promptly walked Mark Contreras, and hit pinch hitter Yeager Taylor with a 2-1 offering. That sent Hill back to the pen for Colton Kamlus, who was called on to face Drake Zarate.
After falling behind 0-1, Zarate turned on the second pitch he saw sending it deep to right field, but the wind wasn't carrying at The Plex on this evening, and the ball fell harmlessly into the glove of right fielder Michael Smith at the warning track.
Fischer (1-0) picked up the win for the Wildcats while Sodders (0-1) was saddled with the loss.
The Highlanders (0-1) and K-State (1-0) play game two of their four-game series Saturday beginning at 1 pm PT.
