May 24, 2002
MOBILE, Ala. - The Western Kentucky University baseball team had a great Sun Belt Conference tournament run come to an end Friday, dropping a 5-7 decision to No. 6 seed New Mexico State in and elimination matchup at Eddie Stanky Field in Mobile, Ala. The Hilltoppers (38-20) finished tournament play with a 2-2 record.
NMSU grabbed the early lead when Gabe Veloz singled home Corey Harrington in the bottom of the first to put the Aggies ahead, 1-0. Harrington drew a one-out walk and stole second to get into scoring position.
Western answered in the top of the second when Matt Wilhite (Jr., Franklin, Ky.) scored on an RBI groundout by Travis Brown (Jr., Kankakee, Ill.). Wilhite roped a double down the left field line to lead off the inning.
The Hilltoppers added another in the top of the fourth when Antone Towns (Fr., Louisville, Ky.) belted a double off the wall in left, scoring Trevor Keesling (Jr., Pendleton, Ind.) to make it a 2-1 game. Keesling advanced to second when Aggie centerfielder Kurt Wilkinson dropped Keesling's fly ball.
In the bottom of the fifth, NMSU regained the lead with four runs on two hits, including a lead-off solo home run by Hal Bisnett. Veloz, Ryan Kenning and David Lecini all recorded RBI in the inning.
After a scoreless sixth, the Hilltoppers cut the lead to two in the top of the seventh when Patrick Ransdell (Sr., Bowling Green, Ky.) singled home David Lower (Jr., Alexandria, Ind.). Lower ripped a single and advanced to second on a throwing error by Harrington.
The Aggies extended their lead to four, 7-3, in their half of the seventh when Erik Winegarden scored on a sacrifice fly by Beau Bracken , and Licini crossed home plate on a wild pitch.
The Hilltoppers got the two runs back in the top of the eighth on consecutive RBI singles by Jerry Cecil (Sr., Louisville, Ky.) and Brown to make it a 7-5 game heading into the ninth.
In the top of the ninth, WKU loaded the bases with two outs. Ryan Cattell (Sr., Minnetonka, Minn.) singled, one of his two hits in the contest, and Nick Turner (Sr., Louisville, Ky.) walked to put two on with one out. Wilhite loaded the bases when he drew another walk from Aggie reliever Andrew Garretson , but the Toppers were unable to cross home plate.
Grady Hinchman (Fr., Pendleton, Ind.) (1-3) got the start for Western, allowing five runs on four hits with two strikeouts, while NMSU used three pitchers to give up a combined 12 hits. Aggie starter Christian Jackson (5-5) got the win and Garretson earned his fifth save of the season.
WKU will now wait to see if they will make their second-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament, as the 64-team field will be announced Monday, May 27. Interested fans may view the selection show live on ESPN2 at 11:30 a.m. (CDT).
