Jayhawks Fall in Extra Innings, 4-3

Feb. 22, 2011

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LAWRENCE, Kan. –

James Stanfield went 2-for-4, while freshman Alex Cox allowed one earned run in 4 1/3 innings in his collegiate debut, but it was not enough. Creighton’s Alex Staehely had an RBI triple following a lead-off walk in the top of the 10th as the Bluejays stunned Kansas, 4-3 in 10 innings Tuesday at Hoglund Ballpark.

The loss spoiled KU’s home opener, and dropped the Jayhawks to 1-3. Creighton improved to 3-1.

Kansas senior T.J. Walz was saddled with the loss after entering the game in the ninth inning with the potential go-ahead run on second base. After getting out of the ninth unscathed, Walz walked left fielder Joey Bowens to open the 10th and then gave up a triple to Staehely.

Amazingly, the senior pitched out of the jam by striking out Mike Gerber and retiring the man on third with a fielder’s choice on a failed safety squeeze.

Kansas put two men on in the bottom of the tenth, but Creighton relief pitcher Reese McGraw induced a ground out off the bat of Brandon Macias to end the game.

KU scored all three of its runs in the fourth inning. After Macias reached on an error, senior Jimmy Waters doubled to left-center to give KU a 1-0 lead. Waters was picked off second, but the Jayhawk rally continued as Stanfield doubled to right-center and sophomore Jake Marasco singled him home. Junior Zac Elgie followed with an RBI double on a shot to left-center which chased Creighton starting pitcher Brandon Koenigstein.

However, that was all the offense KU could muster. Creighton’s bullpen held KU hitless over the final 6 2/3 innings.

The Creighton rally late spoiled a decent start by Cox, who allowed one earned run on four hits with three walks and a strikeout.

Sophomore Thomas Taylor followed with two shutout innings, but allowed the tying run to score in the eighth inning.

The Jayhawks will look to bounce back Friday when they host Saint Louis University in the first game of the Salty Iguana Jayhawk Classic at Hoglund Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.