Kansas Baseball Downs North Dakota State
March 11, 2005
LAWRENCE, Kan. – After failing to score in the game’s first four innings, the Jayhawk offense came alive to slam three home runs and throw 10 runs on the scoreboard in the final five innings as the University of Kansas baseball team defeated North Dakota State 10-4 on Friday at Hoglund Ballpark.
The win improves Kansas’ record this season to 14-8, while NDSU remains winless at 0-8-1.
“It was a good day for us at the plate, especially with the wind blowing out like it was,” said Kansas head coach Ritch Price. “I was a little disappointed with our performance in the first four innings. Their pitcher was able to keep us off balance, but we made some adjustments and did a good job at the plate for the rest of the game.”
North Dakota State scored the first run of the contest as Bison second baseman Charles Magedanz connected on his first home run of the season, a solo shot, off of KU starter Mike Zagurski.
Zagurski, who was making his seventh start of the season, pitched 4 2/3 innings, walking five batters and collecting six strikeouts.
NDSU took advantage of three Jayhawk walks and a hit batter in the top of the fifth inning to score two runs and increase its advantage to 3-0.
In the home half of the fifth, KU freshman third baseman Erik Morrison doubled to drive in a pair of runs and senior catcher Sean Richardson added a two-run home run to give the Jayhawks a 4-3 advantage. The round-tripper was the second of the season for Richardson and his first since KU’s season-opening game against Hawaii-Hilo on Feb. 4.
The Jayhawks tacked on three runs to open a 7-3 advantage in the bottom of the sixth inning. Senior designated hitter Travis Dunlap singled to drive in junior outfielder A.J. Van Slyke, who led the frame off with a single. Freshman second baseman Ryne Price drove the final two runs of the inning when he connected on a two-run home run over the wall in right field for his second long ball of the season.
The Bison closed the gap to 7-4 in the top of the seventh inning on a sacrifice fly off the bat off first baseman Reid Arnold.
With one out and a runner on in the seventh, Van Slyke took the first pitch he saw from NDSU reliever Pat Thielke over the wall in center field for his fourth home run of the season and a 9-4 KU lead.
Van Slyke finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and two RBI, while freshman left fielder John Allman went 3-for-5 in his first appearance of the season in the leadoff position.
Junior shortstop Ritchie Price plated KU’s final run of the contest with a RBI groundout in the eighth inning.
Kansas and North Dakota State are back in action on Saturday with game two of the series from Hoglund Ballpark. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
