March 31, 2000
Bowling Green, Ky. - The Western Kentucky Baseball team won its second straight game Friday night, defeating South Alabama 4-3. Junior RHP Ryan Hutchison (4-2) pitched his third complete game in Sun Belt Conference action.He has not lost in conference play in 12 games. Layne Meyer (0-3) took the loss for the Jaguars.
Junior 3B Justin Herrguth got the action going in the bottom of the first when he hit a home run over the rightfield wall for the Hilltoppers' first run of the game. Herrguth's homer was his second of the season, and the first time a Hilltopper had hit two home runs in 2000.
The Hilltoppers added two more in the bottom of the third, when junior 2B Brian Houdek led off the inning with a double to left. Junior RF Tim Cleland then laid down a bunt single that moved Houdek to third. Cleland stole second, and senior DH Curtis Bliss hit into a fielder's choice that scored Houdek. Senior LF Jeff Vance then singled to right to score Cleland.
South Alabama put its first run on the board in the top of the fifth inning, when RF Brantley Griffin reached on a bunt single and moved to second on CF Cameron Likely's hit through the left side. DH Boo Tsimpides was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Hutchison walked 2B Scott Calahan to force in the Jaguars first run. But the Hilltoppers got LF Brian Groom to fly out to end the inning.
The Hilltoppers responded with a run in the bottom of the fifth, when Herrguth led off the inning with an infield single and moved to second on Bliss' single through the left side. Herrguth then scored on SS Brett Parker's error that allowed junior 1B Eric Hammer to reach first.
South Alabama scored another run in the sixth inning, and a run in the eighth, but would come no closer. Hutchison pitched his way out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the ninth to claim the win.
Herrguth led the Hilltoppers at the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and scored twice. Bliss and Houdek were both also 2-for-4, with Houdek hitting a double and a triple in the game.
Griffin led the Jaguars, going 2-for-4 and scoring a run.
The two teams will meet again on Saturday at 2 p.m. (CST).
