Jayhawks Hook No. 10 Longhorns, 7-2
March 16, 2008
AUSTIN, Texas –
Texas native Sam Freeman pitched six strong innings to pick up his third victory of the season, while senior Ryne Price had a two-run single in the seventh inning to break open the game as Kansas stunned the 10th-ranked Longhorns, 7-2 Sunday afternoon at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The Jayhawks, who took the third game of the three-game Big 12 series, improve to 11-7 and 1-2 in conference play, while Texas falls to 12-5 overall and 2-1 in the conference.
KU put up a four-spot in the top of the seventh to break a 2-2 tie. After Nick Faunce and Robby Price drew one out walks and John Allman singled sharply to center, Preston Land drove in the go-ahead run with a bases loaded walk.
Ryne Price followed with a two-run single up the middle to give the Jayhawks a 5-2 lead. Price leads the team, and came into the game second in the conference, with 26 RBIs.
The Jayhawks tacked on another run in the inning on Buck Afenir’s sacrifice fly.
The four-run outburst was more than enough support for Freeman and Andres Esquibel out of the bullpen.
Freeman, a native of Carrolton, Texas, allowed just two runs on five hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out three.
He made just one mistake in the game, a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth to UT first baseman Brandon Belt. Belt’s shot to left tied the game at two.
However, Freeman recovered to strike out Kyle Russell and put an exclamation point on his third win of the year.
Andres Esquibel pitched three solid innings out of the bullpen to pick up his first save. The senior righty tossed three innings and allowed just two base hits with a strikeout.
Allman led the Jayhawks’ 11-hit attack, going 3-for-5 with a run scored. Senior Erik Morrison and freshman Tony Thompson each collected a pair of hits. Morrison made a difference in the field, turning a pair of double plays and collecting 11 assists.
KU’s pitching staff induced 16 ground ball outs in the game.
The Jayhawks will travel to Bradenton, Fla. to participate in an eight-game tournament during spring break. KU opens the week with a game against Illinois on Wednesday at 2 p.m.
