Kansas Baseball Sweeps Western Illinois to Win Seventh Consecutive Game
March 20, 2005
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The University of Kansas baseball team won its seventh consecutive contest on Sunday as it defeated Western Illinois 3-2 at Hoglund Ballpark.
The winning streak is a season-high for the Jayhawks and improves their overall record this season to 20-8.
“We are 20-8 in non-conference play and we are ready to start the next nine weeks of Big 12 action,” said Kansas head coach Ritch Price. “We play in one of the best two conferences in the nation and we will have to bring our best game every weekend.”
The Leathernecks drew first blood in the contest as they plated two runs against Kansas starter Kodiak Quick in the top of the first inning.
Quick (7-1) recovered from a shaky first inning to collect his seventh win of the season. The Belton, Mo., native pitched seven innings and allowed only two runs on 10 hits, while striking out six.
Kansas tallied its first run of the contest in the bottom of the second inning when junior centerfielder Gus Milner swiped home plate as part of a double steal. It marked the first time a Jayhawk player has stole home since April 21, 2003, when Ritchie Price accomplished the feat against Oklahoma.
In the bottom of the third inning, Kansas plated a pair of runs to take its first lead of the game at 3-2. Freshman third baseman Erik Morrison lead the inning off with a single to centerfield and after a pair of wild pitches, came around to score on an RBI single by junior second baseman Matt Baty. Two batters later, Baty scored what turned out to be the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly off of the bat of Milner.
The KU bullpen held the lead for the Jayhawks as they improve to 3-2 in one-run games this season. Senior Clint Schambach pitched a scoreless eighth inning before handing the game over to junior closer Don Czyz, who threw a perfect ninth to earn his fourth save of the year.
Freshman John Allman started in left field for the Jayhawks and collected a career-high four hits as he was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate.
The Jayhawks final test before beginning conference play is Tuesday when they travel to Springfield, Mo., to battle SMS.
“Last year we played there on Tuesday and there were six thousand people in the stands,” added Price. “We are excited because it is one of the greatest venues in the country.”
Kansas opens Big 12 play against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Hoglund Ballpark March 25-27.
