May 12, 2002
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The Western Kentucky University baseball team continued a recent trend, stranding 12 runners on base and helping New Mexico State earn a 4-2, series-clinching victory Sunday at Nick Denes Field. The Hilltoppers (33-16, 13-7 Sun Belt) have now lost two-straight league series, while the Aggies (32-21, 9-12 Sun Belt) earn their first conference series road win. WKU was 6-0 at home in conference play heading into the three-game matchup.
The game began with both teams plating one run on three hits after two-and-a-half. WKU took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when Antone Towns (Fr., Louisville, Ky.) hit a lead-off single to left and scored on a double by Trevor Keesling (Jr., Pendleton, Ind.). NMSU answered with a run in the top of the third when Erik Winegarden plated Kurt Wilkinson with a single to right to knot the contest, 1-1. Wilkinson roped a double to right to lead-off the inning for the Aggies.
The Hilltoppers regained the lead in the bottom of the third when Ryan Cattell (Sr., Minnetonka, Minn.) scored on a sacrifice fly to left by Nick Turner (Sr., Louisville, Ky.). Cattell drew a one-out walk to get on base.
After a scoreless fourth, NMSU responded with two runs on one hit in the top of the fifth to take a 3-2 lead. Winegarden plated Wilkinson with a double to right, and scored when Travis Brown (Jr., Kankakee, Ill.) was unable to field a hard-hit ball by David Licini.
In the top of the eighth, the Aggies padded their lead when Licini scored on a wild pitch by Hilltopper reliever Matt Wilhite (Jr., Franklin, Ky.) to make it a 4-2 contest. Licini singled to lead-off the inning.
Brandon Miller (Sr., Muncie, Ind.) got the start for WKU, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits in 7.2 innings, but fell to 2-4 on the season. He tied a season high with eight strikeouts in the outing. Wilhite's appearance was his 29th on the year, moving him into a tie for second place all-time on the Hilltopper single season list.
NMSU used three pitchers to give up a combined eight hits, with Jerrod Marcangeli (7-4) earning the victory in relief. He fanned four batters in 4.0 shutout innings of work.
The Hilltoppers return to action Tuesday (May 14) at 6 p.m. (CDT) as they host in-state rival Kentucky for Fan Appreciation Night. Hilltopper fans are encouraged to come out and show their support, as a free hot dog and fountain drink will be provided with the purchase of admission ($4 adult, $2 youth) courtesy of Aramark - WKU's concession provider.
