Feb. 28, 2009
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - A Victor Sanchez walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning, lifted the 11th-ranked University of San Diego baseball team (4-3) to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Kansas State University (4-2) Saturday morning in a non-conference game at Cunningham Stadium.
A dominating pitching performance from sophomore right-hander Kyle Blair had the Wildcats off balance through the first six innings, as Blair allowed one run on two hits, while striking out eight in 6.0 innings of work.
KSU was able to muster up one run on no hits in the top of the fourth inning. The KSU run came when the bases were loaded and Nick Martini hit the ball down the first baseline. USD misplayed the ball but Martini was still out at first on an excellent fielding play by Blair. The fielding misplay however, allowed the runner at third to score and give KSU a 1-0 lead.
The Toreros then evened the score in the sixth inning. With two outs, Austin Green got things started with a single up the middle and moved to second on a fielding error. Chris Engell then drove in Green with a RBI single through the left side moving the score to 1-1.
The Wildcats gave USD a brief scare, as in the top of the eighth inning, KSU loaded the bases with one out. USD relief pitcher Scott Denault then got Jordan Cruz to ground into a double play, ending the threat and preserving the 1-1 contest.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Tony Strazzara led off the inning with a single through the left side and moved to second on a Kevin Muno single to center field. Each runner moved up one base on a Steven Chatwood sacrifice but. After the Wildcats intentionally walked Sean Nicol, Sanchez then hit a RBI single into shallow left field to give USD the 2-1 victory.
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DeNault (1-0) was credited with the win on the mound for the Toreros as he allowed no runs on four hits in 3.0 innings of work. Matt Applegate (0-1) was saddled with the loss for the Wildcats, as he allowed one run on two hits in 1.2 innings of work.
Engell went 2-for-4 with one RBI to lead the USD offense. Sanchez was the second USD player to record multiple hits, as he went 20for-5 with one RBI.
USD will return to action today at 2 p.m. as they host the University of Nevada.
