Jayhawks Cruise Past Baker, 24-7
March 7, 2007
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Juniors Erik Morrison and Brock Simpson each collected three hits and four RBIs Wednesday as the University of Kansas downed Baker, 24-7 in a non-conference baseball game at Hoglund Ballpark.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The Jayhawks, who scored more than 20 runs in a game for the first time since dropping 22 on Wisconsin-Milwaukee on March 5, 2004, improve to 11-5 on the season. The Wildcats fall to 5-4 this year.
Simpson, who entered Sunday’s doubleheader with Western Illinois hitting below .200, went 9-for-11 in the brief four game homestand and has raised his batting average to .271. The junior right fielder had the big hit in KU’s break out inning.
After Baker scored five runs in the top of the second to take a 6-4 lead, the Jayhawks responded with six in the bottom of the inning. Simpson’s two-run single ignited the Jayhawk rally as KU scored 10 runs on Wildcat starting pitcher Joe Kaup.
Morrison, who had four hits in the first game of the Western Illinois doubleheader, homered and singled in his first two at-bats and doubled in the fifth to once again finish a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. The junior shortstop has also enjoyed the friendly confines of Hoglund Ballpark, going 9-for-16 in the homestand. Morrison collected 10 RBIs and scored nine times in the four games.
Five other Jayhawks collected multiple hits in the game, including Robby Price, who went 3-for-3 on Tuesday. Sophomore outfielder Nick Faunce went 2-for-2, enjoyed his first multi-hit game of his career.
Sophomore lefty Andy Marks pitched three innings of relief to earn his team-leading third victory of the season. Marks allowed just one run on two hits, while striking out six in his first relief appearance of the year.
Pitchers Ryotaro Hayakawa, Matt Lane and Hiarali Garcia each threw an inning of scoreless relief in the game.
The Jayhawks will travel to No. 10 Arkansas for a three-game series against the Razorbacks beginning Friday at 12:35 p.m.
