March 08, 2013

Dreiling's Single Helps KU Walk-Off a Winner, 3-2

March 8, 2013

Kansas 3, Niagara 2
Hoglund Ballpark//Lawrence, Kan.

Junior Ka’iana Eldredge went 2-for-4 with an RBI triple and scored the winning run in the ninth inning.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R
NIA	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	2
KU	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3

Box Score (.pdf)

Leaders – Batting
Niagara	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	HR
C. Vangeison	4	0	2	0	0	0
G. Rodgers	4	0	1	1	0	0
Kansas	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	HR
K. Eldredge	4	1	2	1	0	0
M. Suiter	4	1	2	0	0	0

Pitching
Niagara	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
J. Fort	5.1	3	2	2	5	4
G. Soja (L)	3.0	2	1	1	0	1
J. Schwartz	0.0	1	0	0	1	0
Kansas	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
F. Duncan	6.0	5	2	2	3	5
J. Piche’ (W)	3.0	2	0	0	0	3

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Senior Jordan Dreiling’s single to left center with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth lifted Kansas to a 3-2 walk-off win over Niagara Friday afternoon in the first game of a doubleheader at Hoglund Ballpark.

The win moves KU to 8-5 on the year, while the Purple Eagles fall to 3-11.

The Jayhawk offense struggled, recording a season-low six hits, but Dreiling’s RBI hit saved the day. Junior catcher Ka’iana Eldredge started the ninth inning with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice. After Dakota Smith and Justin Protacio walked to load the bases, the Lawrence native lined a 1-2 pitch into center field to plate the winning run.

KU took a 2-0 lead in the second inning on a balk and an RBI triple by Eldredge. It was the junior’s first triple since 2011.

However, Niagara came back to tie in the sixth, scoring runs on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single by Greg Rodgers. The Purple Eagles looked to take the lead in the inning, but Justin Protacio made a diving stop on a ball up the middle to turn an inning-ending double play and keep the score tied.

Kansas starter Frank Duncan recorded his fourth quality start, but did not factor into the decision. The junior righty went six innings, allowing two runs on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts.

Junior Jordan Piché improved to 3-0 on the year, pitching three scoreless innings to earn the win.

Offensively, Eldredge led the team, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while Michael Suiter also chipped in two hits.

The teams will play game two of the doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m.

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