JimBob
03-26-2008, 07:35 AM
O-State pummels No. 6 Wildcats
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
3/26/2008
Last Modified: 3/26/2008 2:42 AM
STILLWATER -- Matt Gardner is glad to be back.
Gardner, the one-time Oklahoma State postseason ace who missed almost all of 2007 after an aneurism under his right shoulder injury created numbness in his arm, continued his comeback with a strong pitching performance Tuesday night against Arizona in a 10-2 Cowboy victory.
A season-high 1,856 fans showed up at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium to watch OSU -- unranked in the three major polls but 4-4 against ranked teams this season -- improved to 16-6 overall and 10-1 at home.
Arizona (13-6) began the season ranked No. 1 by Collegiate Baseball and came into this week ranked No. 6 by Baseball America and is in the top 10 of all three major polls. But the 'Cats are clearly struggling, scoring two runs and making 11 errors in their last three games.
Gardner was in control throughout, retiring 10 of 11 batters during one stretch, including five on strikeouts.
"It isn't really a health issue, it's more of a pitching issue," Gardner said. "This kind of builds confidence."
Said OSU coach Frank Anderson, "Good to see him out there compete."
Gardner threw a season-high 6-1/3 innings, allowed two runs, struck out six and walked one. He had help from both his offense and Arizona's defense.
The Wildcats have now committed 39 errors in 19 games this season, including a season-high five Tuesday (three in one inning). That doesn't include four other bobbled balls that didn't count as errors but led to OSU runs.
The hot-hitting Cowboys took advantage with five runs in the fourth inning. Luis Flores delivered the big blow with a two-run single that made it 4-1, but another Arizona fielding error and a bobble led to two more runs and a 6-1 OSU lead.
Arizona chased Gardner (3-1) after a run on three hits run in the seventh. Jon Gaston doubled off the left field wall and later scored on a groundout to make it 6-2, and Gardner left after two more singles.
But the Wildcats, who were shut out in back-to-back games for the first time since 1969 last week at USC and didn't score for 20 -1/3 innings, didn't have enough offensively. Brett Davis and Robbie Weinhardt relieved Gardner and each got a strikeout to quell Arizona's rally.
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
3/26/2008
Last Modified: 3/26/2008 2:42 AM
STILLWATER -- Matt Gardner is glad to be back.
Gardner, the one-time Oklahoma State postseason ace who missed almost all of 2007 after an aneurism under his right shoulder injury created numbness in his arm, continued his comeback with a strong pitching performance Tuesday night against Arizona in a 10-2 Cowboy victory.
A season-high 1,856 fans showed up at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium to watch OSU -- unranked in the three major polls but 4-4 against ranked teams this season -- improved to 16-6 overall and 10-1 at home.
Arizona (13-6) began the season ranked No. 1 by Collegiate Baseball and came into this week ranked No. 6 by Baseball America and is in the top 10 of all three major polls. But the 'Cats are clearly struggling, scoring two runs and making 11 errors in their last three games.
Gardner was in control throughout, retiring 10 of 11 batters during one stretch, including five on strikeouts.
"It isn't really a health issue, it's more of a pitching issue," Gardner said. "This kind of builds confidence."
Said OSU coach Frank Anderson, "Good to see him out there compete."
Gardner threw a season-high 6-1/3 innings, allowed two runs, struck out six and walked one. He had help from both his offense and Arizona's defense.
The Wildcats have now committed 39 errors in 19 games this season, including a season-high five Tuesday (three in one inning). That doesn't include four other bobbled balls that didn't count as errors but led to OSU runs.
The hot-hitting Cowboys took advantage with five runs in the fourth inning. Luis Flores delivered the big blow with a two-run single that made it 4-1, but another Arizona fielding error and a bobble led to two more runs and a 6-1 OSU lead.
Arizona chased Gardner (3-1) after a run on three hits run in the seventh. Jon Gaston doubled off the left field wall and later scored on a groundout to make it 6-2, and Gardner left after two more singles.
But the Wildcats, who were shut out in back-to-back games for the first time since 1969 last week at USC and didn't score for 20 -1/3 innings, didn't have enough offensively. Brett Davis and Robbie Weinhardt relieved Gardner and each got a strikeout to quell Arizona's rally.