University of Washington
Arizona
Washington Edges UA, 4-3, To Take Series
April 30, 2006 | Baseball
April 30, 2006
SEATTLE - The Washington baseball team rallied for two runs in the eighth inning to edge Arizona, 4-3, Sunday in a tight series finale at Husky Ballpark. The Huskies won the series, two wins to one.
Washington (30-16 overall, 8-7 in the Pac-10) entered the eighth trailing 3-2 after Arizona (20-22, 6-9) had broken a 2-2 tie with a run in the top of the eighth. After a walk to Joey Dunn and a bunt single from Bradley Boyer put two runners on base, freshman Brett Kaluza singled up the middle to drive in pinch runner Nick Burnham with the tying run. Later in the inning, Kaluza scored on a sacrifice fly from Matt Hague.
Husky reliever Richie Lentz (1-0) picked up the win with two-thirds innings of relief. UW ace Tim Lincecum picked up his third save of the year, despite allowing two hits and a walk in the ninth. Arizona closer Daniel Schlereth (2-1) suffered the loss, allowing two runs over two innings.
Arizona scored the game's first run in the top of the first. After Jon Gaston reached on a third-strike wild pitch, shortstop Jason Donald lined a double drive him in, giving the Wildcats the game's first lead for the third time in the series.
Washington knotted the game at 1-1 without the benefit of a hit in the second. Curt Rindal was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. After stealing second, he moved to third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch.
In the fifth, the Huskies took the lead, scratching out a second run. Matt Hague reached on an infield single. He moved to second on a walk and then to third when the Rindal narrowly beat out a relay throw on a would-be double play. With two down and runners at first and third, Matt Stevens struck out, but the third strike went off catcher Konrad Schmidt's glove, allowing Hague to trot in from third.
Arizona replied right away with a run in the top of the sixth. With Arizona's Brad Boyer aboard at third base with two outs, Donald hit a routine grounder to short. However, Husky shortstop Danny Cox bounced his throw past first base, allowing Boyer to score the tying run.
The Huskies had a chance to go in front in the seventh, loading the bases with no outs. But, Schlereth, who had allowed the last two of those three batters to reach base, struck out the next three Husky hitters to end the inning.
In the top of the eighth, another Husky miscue led to Arizona going back in front. With runners at first and second with two outs, Bill Rhinehart hit a high pop fly that was dropped by Stevens, the Husky third baseman, allowing Gaston to score from second to give Arizona a 3-2 lead.
Both teams' starters pitched well, but didn't figure in the decision. Arizona's David Coulon allowed only one earned run on two hits over six-plus innings while Husky starter Kyle Parker gave up one earned run on three hits in seven innings.
The Huskies play host to NAIA powerhouse Lewis-Clark State Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. at Husky Ballpark. Live video and stats will be available at gohuskies.com. Next weekend, the UW travels to face No. 5 Oregon State in Corvallis. All three of those games will air live on KKNW AM-1150.
LINESCORE Pac-10 Conference Game Washington 4, Arizona 3 Arizona 100 001 010 -- 3 7 2 Washington 010 010 02x -- 4 4 2 David Coulon, Daniel Schlereth (7) and Konrad Schmidt. Kyle Parker, Nick Hagadone (8), Richie Lentz (8), Tim Lincecum (9) and Joey Dunn. W - Lentz (1-0). L - Schlereth (2-1). Sv - Lincecum (3). 2B - UA, Jason Donald, T.J. Steele. T - 3:05. A - 701.
