Jayhawks Unload on Le Moyne College, 13-2
March 5, 2008
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Senior Ryne Price hit his first career grand slam and finished with seven RBIs, while senior John Allman went 3-for-3 with his first home run of the season as Kansas stayed undefeated in home openers under Ritch Price with a 13-2 triumph over Le Moyne College Wednesday afternoon at Hoglund Ballpark. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The Jayhawks even their record up at 5-5, while Le Moyne falls to 2-7 this season.
Despite temperatures in the 30’s at game time, KU’s bats remained hot as the Jayhawks scored 10 runs in the first three innings.
Kansas put up four runs in the bottom of the first on an RBI double by Allman and a two-run triple by Ryne Price. Senior Erik Morrison capped off the first inning rally with an RBI ground out.
Two innings later, the Jayhawks struck for six more runs.
After two walks and an Allman single, Ryne Price came up with the bases loaded and promptly unloaded them. It was the senior’s first collegiate grand slam and the first slam by a Jayhawk since Buck Afenir hit one against Chicago State last season. Later in the game, Price was hit by a pitch to collect a career high seventh RBI.
His seven runs batted in were the most by a KU player since Morrison had seven driven in against Western Illinois on March 18, 2005.
The inning continued as Morrison doubled to left and scored on Casey Larson’s RBI single to right. Tony Thompson became the sixth different Jayhawk to drive in a run in the game with a sacrifice fly into the right field corner, making it a 10-0 KU lead.
The six runs scored in the frame marked the fourth time this season that KU has scored five runs or more in an inning.
Sophomore Wally Marciel picked up his second victory of the year on the mound. The 6-foot lefty scattered six hits over five innings, allowing a pair of runs in the fourth. He did not walk anybody and fanned four.
KU’s bullpen trio of Hiarali Garcia, Daniel Manos and T.J. Walz combined to pitch four innings of scoreless relief.
Allman led the offense with three hits, while Ryne Price, Nick Faunce and Casey Larson each chipped in two.
Kansas will play host to North Dakota State in a four-game series beginning Friday at Hoglund Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
