Zagurski leads KU Baseball to 11-1 Victory
Feb. 25, 2005
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Senior pitcher Mike Zagurski struck out a career-high 13 batters and junior outfielder A.J. Van Slyke connected on a grand slam as the University of Kansas baseball team defeated Northern Colorado 11-1 on Friday at Hoglund Ballpark.
With the win, the Jayhawks improve to 11-3 on the season, while the Bears remain winless at 0-7.
Zagurski (3-0) passed his career high in strikeouts, which he set last week when he fanned 11 South Dakota State batters. The Omaha, Neb., native took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before yielding his only hit of the ball game. Zagurski, who entered the week leading the Big 12 in strikeouts, has now struck out 36 batters on the year.
Kansas took an early 4-0 lead in the game by plating four runs in the bottom of the second inning. Junior outfielder Matt Baty put the Jayhawks up when he doubled to right center field with the bases loaded and two outs in the inning. Baty was able to score later in the inning on an error by Bears third baseman Brennan Garr.
Junior designated hitter Jared Schweitzer connected on his first home run of the season in the fifth inning and senior first baseman Andy Scholl added an RBI double in the frame to push the KU lead to 6-0.
The Jayhawks tagged on five runs to their lead in the bottom of the eighth inning to break open an 11-0 lead. Kansas was able to score its first run of the inning on an RBI double by pinch hitter Brock Simpson. Junior Van Slyke provided the innings biggest hit, connecting on a grand slam off of UNC reliever Aaron Kelly. The grand slam was the first by a Jayhawk since Richardson connected on a bases-juiced home run at Texas on May 8 of last season.
The Bears were able to avoid the shutout, as sophomore catcher John Ray connect on a solo home run off of KU reliever Don Czyz in the top of the ninth inning.
“I was pleased with the win,” said Kansas head coach Ritch Price. “Our goal is to play nine innings of baseball and not make an error. We need to improve in that area.”
Kansas and Northern Colorado will conclude the three-game set with a doubleheader on Saturday at Hoglund Ballpark. First pitch is set for Noon.
