Jayhawks Pound NDSU to Sweep Series
March 13, 2005
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The University of Kansas baseball team’s offense pounded out a season-high 17 runs and 22 hits to complete a three-game sweep of North Dakota State with a 17-2 victory over the Bison on Sunday at Hoglund Ballpark.
The win improves KU’s overall record this season to 16-8 and gives the team its third series sweep of the season.
The Jayhawks jumped out to an early lead in the game thanks to a two-run first inning. Freshman left fielder John Allman began the inning with a single down the left field line and senior catcher Sean Richardson walked in the next at bat. After a passed ball moved runners to second and third, junior shortstop Ritchie Price singled through the left side to plate Allman, however Richardson was gunned down at the plate on the play as he attempted to score from second. A sacrifice fly off the bat of junior outfielder A.J. Van Slyke gave the Jayhawks their second run of the inning and a 2-0 lead.
Kansas took advantage of a breakdown by the Bison pitching staff in the third inning to post four runs and increase its advantage to 6-0. During the frame, Van Slyke singled to drive in a run and NDSU pitchers forced in three runs with two hit batters and one bases-loaded walk.
In the bottom of the fourth, Van Sylke continued his impressive afternoon as he connected on his fifth home run of the season off of NDSU reliever Ryan Williams. The Jayhawks added another run on an error by Bison first baseman Reid Arnold.
An RBI double by Richardson plated freshman Brock Simpson in the fifth inning to increase the Jayhawks’ lead to 7-0.
Simpson, who entered the game for Allman in the fifth inning, finished the game 3-for-3 with a double, a triple and the first home run of his collegiate career, which came in the seventh inning.
The Bison, who were unable to push across any runs against KU starter Kodiak Quick and reliever Travis Goset, avoided the shutout by scoring twice in the top of the seventh off of Michael Fitch.
Quick (6-1) collected his team-leading sixth win of the season by throwing five innings, allowing only three hits, while striking out six batters.
The Jayhawks’ lead swelled to 17-2 in the eighth inning as KU scored seven runs on nine hits. The inning was highlighted by a two-run home run by senior Mike Dudley.
Kansas Baseball is back in action on Wednesday when they host Baker at Hoglund Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
