Jayhawks Knock Off Fighting Sioux, 5-3

March 9, 2011

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

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Postgame Interviews:Coach Price | DeLeon | Taylor

Sophomore catcher Alex DeLeon homered and drove in three runs, while sophomore pitcher Thomas Taylor scattered a run and five hits over 5 2/3 innings as Kansas got back to .500 with a 5-3 triumph over North Dakota Wednesday afternoon at Hoglund Ballpark.

The Jayhawks improve to 6-6 overall, while the Fighting Sioux drop to 0-7.

KU recorded a season-high 11 hits in the game, including two each by Jimmy Waters, Jake Marasco and Brandon Macias. Eight of the nine starting position players recorded at least one base knock.

The Jayhawks jumped out to an early lead in the second inning when Marasco led off the frame with a double and scored on a pop-fly triple off the bat of Macias. The Kansas shortstop lofted a fly ball to shallow right which eluded UND second baseman Daniel Worb and right fielder Seth Means. The two Sioux players collided, which allowed Macias to reach third base. He later scored on DeLeon’s first sacrifice fly of the day.

Three innings later, DeLeon hit his second home run of the season deep over the left field fence to stretch the lead to 3-1. In his last three starts, the sophomore catcher is 4-for-9 with two homers and six RBIs.

KU added single runs in the seventh and eighth on a Chris Manship drive that was misplayed in right field and went for a double and a two-base error and another sac fly by DeLeon.

Taylor earned his second win of the season, pitching 5 2/3 innings and holding the Sioux to one run on five hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. Junior Colton Murray recorded four outs for his third save of the season.

The Jayhawks improved to 4-1 in games played at home this season.

KU will open a three-game series with Eastern Michigan on Friday at 3 p.m. at Hoglund Ballpark.