Land, Kansas Defeat Belmont, 4-2
Feb. 24, 2006
NASHVILLE, Tenn. –
Behind a strong pitching performance by junior Sean Land, the University of Kansas (8-4) defeated Belmont (2-2), 4-2, Friday in Nashville, Tenn.
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Land limited the Bruins to two hits in a career-high eight inning of work to improve to 3-1 on the season. After giving up a two-out single in the second inning, Land set down 19 straight Belmont hitters. The Greenwood, Mo., native allowed one earned run.
Senior Don Czyz pitched the ninth inning to pick up his fourth save of the season. Belmont scored one run off Czyz, the first run he has allowed all season.
Belmont took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Matt Reynolds led off the inning with a double and was awarded third after runners interference was called on first baseman Jared Schweitzer who collided with Reynolds as he was heading to second base.
Ben Petsch grounded out to Sean Land allowing Reynolds to score. Land’s throw sailed high allowing Petsch to take first on the error. Belmont ended the inning by grounding into a double play and flying out.
In the second inning, senior Matt Baty reached base on a one-out error by Belmont and moved to second on a fly out. With Baty attempting to steal third base, the throw from Belmont’s catcher sailed into left field allowing Baty to easily trot home and tie the game at one.
Senior Gus Milner followed back-to-back singles by junior Kyle Murphy and senior Ritchie Price with a two-run double to left center to give KU a 3-1 lead after three innings.
KU added a fourth run in the sixth inning. Sophomore Erik Morrison singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. Sophomore John Allman singled deep behind third base, the Belmont third baseman then dropped and kicked the ball allowing Morrison to score.
Kansas will play its second game of the Music City Challenge against Lipscomb on Saturday at 2 p.m. Senior Ricky Fairchild (2-1, 4.91 ERA) will start on the mound for KU.
Game Notes: Junior Kyle Murphy hit in the lead off position for the first time in his career … Ritchie Price started his 199 game as a Jayhawk … Ritchie Price extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single in the third inning … Murphy extended his hitting streak to a career-best three games … Kansas is now 1-0 all-time against Belmont.
