Redemption Day
Killian, ESU pitching staff build confidence in 4-2 win
By C.J. Moore
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Killian, ESU pitching staff build confidence in 4-2 win
Colby Killian wasn’t thinking about the worst outing of his Emporia State career in Tuesday’s relief appearance against Wayne State.
Killian wasn’t thinking about his mechanics or pitch selection. In fact, Killian wasn’t thinking at all. Turns out, that’s when he’s at his best.
Killian and the ESU pitching staff had a bounce-back day in a 4-2 win, which Killian finished off with three scoreless innings for the first save of his career.
“I just had to forget about Sunday’s outing and get back in the groove,” Killian said. “Just went out there and didn’t even think about anything. Just threw the ball.”
Sunday was a bad day for the Hornets and especially for the hero of last season’s World Series run. After taking the first game 8-3, Central Missouri opened the second game with an eight-run first inning, and Killian was credited with seven of those runs.
ESU coach Bob Fornelli said Killian wasn’t that bad, but he got behind in counts and the Mules were able to get five ground balls through the infield for hits.
“It was just one of those days for a pitcher,” Killian said. “My command might not have been too great, but it was just one of those days and I might have had a little bit too much adrenaline going, maybe lack of focus.”
Killian asked Fornelli for a chance on Tuesday, and he cleared his mind and threw all fast balls when he took over for Matt Robertson, who held Wayne State to two runs in six innings and handed Killian a 3-2 lead.
Killian was untouchable, facing the minimum and allowing just one hit, a bunt single, in the final three innings.
“We felt like we needed to get him back out there and he wanted the ball and he came out and was unbelievable,” Fornelli said. “That’s the Colby we need, and if he does that, we’re successful.”
Emporia State also got what it needed from Robertson. After a four-game series on Sunday and Monday, the Hornets needed Robertson (3-1) to eat up innings. He did that by throwing strikes and giving up just five hits and only one walk in his six innings.
The pitching performance was also much needed on another day when the offense was still trying to figure itself out.
The Hornets took a 2-0 lead in the second inning when Rudy Weiser drove in Kenny Burkhead with a single up the middle, and then J.D. Herman added another RBI single.
After Wayne State tied the game at 2 in the fourth inning, David Albritton put the Hornets ahead with a sacrifice fly in the fifth that scored Tyler Knight, who had singled and advanced on a Travis Whipple double.
Albritton drove in another run in the seventh with a sacrifice bunt that scored Jeremy Francis, who led off the inning with a double.
ESU changes
schedule
Emporia State’s game today against Central Oklahoma has been canceled. Emporia State’s weekend series at Southwest Baptist has been moved up to Thursday and Friday because of possible inclement weather this weekend. Game times have not been announced yet.
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