KU Baseball Downs Lipscomb, 15-10
Feb. 25, 2006
NASHVILLE, Tenn. –
The University of Kansas (9-4) scored nine runs after the fifth inning and held off a late Lipscomb surge to defeat the Bison (1-4), 15-10, Saturday in Nashville, Tenn.
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Lipscomb held a 4-1 lead heading into the sixth inning before KU scored five runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Lipscomb then scored a run in the seventh and five in the eighth to pull to within a run at 11-10. The Jayhawks responded with a four run ninth inning to pull away for the victory.
Senior Don Czyz was called on to get the final five outs of the game to record his fifth save of the season and second of the weekend.
Senior Ricky Fairchild (3-1) earned the victory for Kansas. Fairchild tied a career high with five strikeouts in 5.2 innings. The Dallas, Texas, native allowed four runs on seven hits while walking one batter.
Freshman Paul Smyth got into trouble in the eighth inning, walking the bases loaded and allowing a two-run single before being relieved by senior Trey Randa. Lipscomb’s Nathan Sensing hit the first pitch Randa threw over the centerfield wall, capping the Bison’s’ five-run inning. Czyz replaced Randa and closed out the game.
KU took its first lead in the sixth inning when sophomore Matt Berner laced a bases loaded three-run double to cap a five-run inning and give the Jayhawks a 6-4 lead. KU started the rally with a walk and two hit batters allowing sophomore Erik Morrison to drive in two runs with a single.
Senior Gus Milner highlighted the Jayhawks seventh inning with a three-run home run. The homer was Milner’s fourth of the season and 13th of his career.
Berner, making his first career start, finished the day 1-for-3 with four RBI and a run scored. Milner and Morrison each notched three-RBI and scored three runs. Senior Jared Schweitzer was 3-for-4 on the day.
Lipscomb scored in the second inning off a double, single and a KU error. In the third inning, the Bison used three singles to tally two runs and take a 3-0 lead.
Morrison got KU on the scoreboard in the fourth with the Jayhawks third single of the inning, scoring Milner who reached on a fielder’s choice. Lipscomb regained a three-run lead with a solo home run by Ryan Mitchell.
Kansas will play its final game of the Music City Challenge Sunday against Vanderbilt at noon in a rematch of KU’s 5-2 extra inning victory over the Commodores on Feb. 19. KU senior Kodiak Quick (1-1, 2.04 ERA) will face Vanderbilt’s Matt Buschmann (1-0, 3.00 ERA).
Game Notes: Senior Ritchie Price made his 200th career start as a Jayhawk … Ritchie Price went 0-for-2 with two walks, two runs scored and a RBI but ended his hitting streak at 11 games … Sophomore Matt Berner made his first career start … Redshirt freshman Nick Faunce recorded his first career at bat, hit and RBI … Lipscomb’s starting pitcher Paul Piennette struck out nine batters in six innings … Kansas is now 2-0 all-time against Lipscomb.
