March 21, 2013

Big Second Inning Powers Kansas Past BYU, 15-4

March 21, 2013

Kansas 15, BYU 4
Miller Park//Provo, Utah

Sophomore Justin Protacio collected a career high four hits in Thursday’s 15-4 win over BYU.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R
KU	2	7	0	2	0	0	0	0	4	15
BYU	0	0	0	1	3	0	0	0	0	4

Box Score (.pdf)

Leaders – Batting
Kansas	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	HR
J. Protacio	5	2	4	1	0	0
K. Kuntz	5	1	3	1	0	0
BYU	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	HR
J. Hannemann	3	1	2	0	1	0
B. Lopez	4	1	2	0	0	0

Pitching
Kansas	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
F. Duncan (W)	8.0	8	4	4	2	4
C. Toalson	1.0	0	0	0	0	0
BYU	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
A. Miller (L)	1.2	6	9	5	4	2
C. Nyberg	7.0	10	6	5	1	1
D. Dennis	1.0	1	0	0	0	1

PROVO, Utah – Sophomore Justin Protacio recorded a career-high four hits, while freshman Jacob Boylan went 2-for-5 with three RBIs as Kansas used a seven-run second inning to unload on BYU, 15-4, Thursday night at Larry H. Miller Park.

The Jayhawks collected season highs with 15 runs and 17 hits to improve to 14-7 on the year, while the Cougars fell to 10-12.

After being shut out for the first time all season in Wednesday’s game, KU responded with an early offensive barrage. The Jayhawks plated two in top of the first on the strength of back-to-back doubles by Boylan and sophomore Michael Suiter, before sending 12 men to the plate in a seven-run second.

The first four hitters of the second reached base against BYU starting pitcher Adam Miller without the benefit of a base hit, before senior Kevin Kuntz drove in a run with an infield single. Senior Jordan Dreiling then reached on a fielder’s choice to force home another run, before Boylan’s two-run single up the middle.

After an out, Protacio recorded his first of four hits on the night with a base hit through the left side that pushed home the sixth and seventh runs of the second inning for KU. In all, the Jayhawks scored seven runs on three hits and benefitted from four walks and three Cougar errors in a nightmare inning for the home team.

The run support helped junior Frank Duncan earn his second victory of the year to even his record at 2-2. Duncan battled through the first five innings, but ended strong by retiring the final 12 hitters he faced. The junior righty pitched eight innings and allowed four runs on eight hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

His only rough inning was the fifth, when BYU cut the deficit to 11-4 when the Cougars collected four-straight hits to start the inning. However, pinch hitter Trace Hansen’s RBI single to center was BYU’s last hit of the night as Duncan and relief pitcher Colin Toalson ended the night by retiring 15 straight.

Protacio led the Jayhawk offense, going 4-for-5 with a double and two runs scored, while Kuntz recorded his first three-hit game since Opening Day against Nevada.

KU’s victory helped the team avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this season.

The Jayhawks will look to take a series lead on Friday afternoon in game three of the four-game set at Miller Park. First pitch has been moved up due to impending weather with the teams taking the field at 4 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on BYUtv.

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