May 3, 2008

STILLWATER, Oklahoma - A big inning doomed Utah Valley as No. 9 Oklahoma State put up seven runs in the bottom of the third and went on to win 9-4 to pick up a sweep of a Saturday doubleheader in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys (35-11) have now won the first three games of the series and 12 in a row overall while the Wolverines drop to 12-31-1 with the loss.

With UV trailing 1-0 in the top of the third, Cole Anderson tripled to right-center and scored on a Ryan Jones groundout to knot the game at one.

That tie didn't last long though as OSU sent 13 batters to the plate with the first six hitters of the inning all reaching and scoring. The Cowboys had a home run, by Donnie Webb, and three doubles and also used three walks and two hit batters to aid in the big inning.

Trailing 9-1 in the sixth, the Wolverines had five straight hits to begin the inning with Scott Croshaw delivering an RBI double and Josh Hinckley following him with a two-run single to cut the lead to 9-4. Jared Starks then came on in relief of OSU starter Matt Gardner and, after giving up a single to Dick Bargewell, struck out three consecutive hitters.

After Jones and Brinkerhoff both reached to lead of the seventh, Robbie Weinhardt came in and retired six of the first seven batters he faced--five of which came via strikeout. Weinhardt earned a three-inning save, his third of the year while Matt Gardner improved to 5-2 with the win on the mound. Andy Jangard (1-5) suffered the loss for Utah Valley.

Kyle Kasper was solid out of the bullpen for the Wolverines, allowing just one earned run and striking out five in five and 1/3 innings.

Croshaw extended his hit streak to a team season high 16 games after going 2-for-5. Croshaw and Brinkerhoff are tied for the team lead with a .342 batting average. Hinckley was 2-for-4 with two RBI for the Wolverines.

Both teams finished with 11 hits but Utah Valley allowed seven walks and hit three OSU batters. Four of the Cowboys that reached base via base on balls or hit by pitch scored.

Oklahoma State won the first game earlier in the day by scoring the final five runs after Utah Valley took an early 3-1 lead.

The Wolverines will try to salvage a game in Sunday's series finale, which is set for a noon MT first pitch. Bryan Smith will get the nod on the mound for UV.