DAWGS Rally - Top SJSU 3-2

[Dwayne From Minden]

Bulldogs Rally Past San Jose State for WAC Win
Updated Mar 21, 2003 23:49:20

RUSTON, La. - Louisiana Tech scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a come from behind victory over San Jose State, 3-2, for the Bulldog’s first victory in Western Athletic Conference baseball action this season.

Jody Wood singled to left field with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to score Wade Robinson from third base.

Tech (7-15-1, 1-3 WAC) trailed 2-0 entering the bottom of the eighth but rallied for the win with one run in the eighth inning and two in the ninth inning

“(Matt) Durkin could have broke our will many times but I said to stay positive and continue to work. We overcame some adversity tonight,” Tech head coach Wade Simoneaux said. “(Kirkendall) threw a whale of a game as did their pitcher.”

Adam Kirkendall (2-4) tossed his first complete game of the season as he out dueled arguably the top pitcher in the league, Matt Durkin

“Kirkendall is a competitor and pitched a heck of a game tonight,” Simoneaux said.

Kirkendall struck out six while allowing five hits and surrendering two runs.

The ninth inning rally started when Kyle Humphreys reached on a bunt single with one out. Robinson followed with a line drive single to center as pinch runner Ben Haddox advanced to third base. Kyle Spangler then produced a pinch-hit RBI single to right field to score Haddox and tie the game at 2-2. An out later, Antonio Sabatini walked before Wood singled in the game-winner.

“If you walk inside our locker room with have nine innings written on the board,” Simoneaux added. “That was a very good college baseball game out there tonight.”

Tech scored one run in the bottom of the eighth for its first run of the game.

Eric Emfinger drew a one-out walk before Wood doubled down the left field line. Emfiger scored later in the winning on a wild pitch.
Durkin pitched the entire game for the Spartans, allowing three runs on eight hits and striking out nine

The Spartans (13-11, 2-2 WAC) took a one-run lead in the top of the second inning without the help of a base hit.

San Jose State loaded the bases on a walk, hit batter and an error on a throwing error on Kirkendall. Markum King then ground out to shortstop to score the game's first run.

Kirkendall escaped the inning without further damage on a pop out and a strikeout to retire the Spartans in the inning.

Aaron Bates added a one-out solo home run in the eighth inning to give San Jose State a 2-0 lead over the Bulldogs.

Wood, Robinson and Humphreys all had two hit each for the Bulldogs.

The series resumes on Saturday with a 1 p.m. game.

[dawg80]

Way to go Diamond Dawgs! Win this series!