KU Baseball Beats Hawaii-Hilo, 8-3
Feb. 3, 2006
HILO, Hawaii –
KU defeated Hawaii-Hilo, 8-3, Friday in Hilo, Hawaii. With the win the Jayhawks improve to 3-0 on the season while the Vulcans fall to 0-3.
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A pinch-hit sacrifice fly by freshman Justin Ellrich in the seventh inning broke a 2-2 tie. The Jayhawks added two runs in the eighth and three in the ninth inning to pull away.
KU left the bases loaded with one out in the first inning and Hawaii-Hilo scored two unearned runs in the bottom half of the first. Gus Milner threw out a Vulcan at the plate to end the frame
Sophomore Erik Morrison got KU on the scoreboard with a lead off home run over the left field wall in the second inning. Senior Jared Schweitzer hit his second home run of the season in the third inning to tie the game 2-2.
Hilo threatened in the fourth inning with three straight singles to load the bases. Starting freshman pitcher Andy Marks coaxed a pop up and fly out to get out of the jam.
The Vulcans chased Marks from the game with a single and double to put runners on second and third with two outs in the fifth inning. Junior Ryotaro Hayakawa came out of the bullpen and forced Tyler Curtis to hit a sharp ground ball to Schweitzer at first base who touched the bag to end the inning.
Hayakawa allowed one hit in one inning before giving way to freshman Ryan Anthony. Anthony faced two batters and did not allow a hit in picking up his first collegiate victory.
Morrison opened up the sixth inning with a double off the left field wall. Pinch hitter Brock Simpson singled to center sending Morrison to third setting up Ellrich’s sac fly.
Senior Don Czyz pitched the final two innings to record his first save of the season.
The Jayhawks and Vulcans will move the series to Kona for a doubleheader on Saturday. The first game is schedule to start at 3 p.m. central.
Game Notes: The game started 42 minutes late due to rain … KU has won nine straight games against Hawaii-Hilo dating back to the 2004 season … Junior college transfers Kyle Murphy and Dylan Parzyk made their first career starts in centerfield and at catcher, respectively.
