Jayhawks Overwhelm Penn State, 18-5
March 13, 2007
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Junior Erik Morrison went 3-for-3 with a season-high five RBIs, while five other players enjoyed multiple hit games as the University of Kansas unloaded on Penn State, 18-5, in a non-conference baseball game played Tuesday at Hoglund Ballpark. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The Jayhawks improve to 12-8 on the season, while the Nittany Lions drop to 2-9.
KU scored multiple runs in each of the first three innings to build a 14-0 lead after three innings. It marked the third straight home game that the Jayhawks scored 18 runs or more.
Morrison led the hit parade, collecting at least three hits for the third time in five home games. The junior shortstop hit his fourth home run of the season in the first inning to drive in three runs and then collected RBI singles in the second and third innings.
Junior right fielder Brock Simpson continued his hot hitting at Hoglund Ballpark. Simpson went 2-for-2 and scored two runs against Penn State Tuesday. In five home games this season, the 6-foot-2 junior is 11-for-13 with a pair of triples.
Second baseman Ryne Price and first baseman Preston Land both bounced back from rough weekends with two hits apiece, while catchers Buck Afenir and Joe Servais also had two-hit games.
Freshman Robby Price doubled to center field in his first at bat to extend his hitting streak to 12 straight games. It marks KU’s longest streak of the past two seasons and became just the 42nd player in Jayhawk history to have a hitting streak of 12 games or longer.
Junior starting pitcher Andres Esquibel allowed a single and a walk in the first inning before retiring the final 11 hitters he faced. The 6-foot-2 righty went four innings, allowing just the one hit and one walk while striking out five for his third victory of the season.
Freshman Thomas Marcin pitched a pair of scoreless innings of relief, while freshman Max Ellenbecker worked the ninth.
KU has enjoyed the friendly confines of Hoglund Ballpark. Over its last three games, the team has scored 60 runs and pounded out 62 hits, including 23 for extra bases.
The Jayhawks will look to continue their hot hitting tomorrow when they play host to No. 12 Wichita State at 6 p.m.
