Jayhawks Knock Off No. 21 Arkansas, 9-3
Feb. 24, 2009
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –
Freshman Lee Ridenhour earned his first collegiate win, and sophomore Tony Thompson went 2-for-5 with three RBIs as Kansas captured a 9-3 non-conference baseball win at No. 21 Arkansas Tuesday at Baum Stadium.
The Jayhawks, who had not won in Arkansas since 1999, even their record at 2-2, while the Razorbacks fall to 3-1.
Kansas used two big innings and strong pitching from its freshman starter to claim victory.
Ridenhour, a first-year pitcher from Lenexa, Kan., held the Razorbacks to two runs on six hits over five innings to lead the Jayhawk pitching staff. The freshman got pitched through trouble in nearly every inning, but allowed just single runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
Meanwhile, his offense produced nine runs after scoring just 10 runs total in a three-game weekend tournament. Thompson as well as seniors Nick Faunce and Buck Afenir all had two hits in the game.
After being held in check the first two innings, the Jayhawks broke out in the top of the third. Afenir led the inning off with a double, his first hit of the season, and scored on Faunce’s one-out single to left. Following a sacrifice fly and a pair of walks, Thompson gave KU a 4-0 lead with a line drive into left-center.
Arkansas chipped away with single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. The Jayhawks put the game away in the top of the sixth with three runs. KU opened the inning with a hit batsman and a bunt single by Faunce. Brian Heere drove in KU’s seventh run with a sacrifice fly, while a wild pitch and another RBI single by Thompson gave KU a 9-2 advantage.
Thompson extended his career-high hitting streak to 13 games dating back to last season and leads the team with six RBIs in four games.
KU’s bullpen was nearly spotless as junior Travis Blankenship, freshman Colton Murray and sophomore Brett Bochy each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.
Kansas will look to sweep the two-game series Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Baum Stadium. The game can be heard via audio webcast on kuathletics.com.
