Kansas Baseball Falls at No. 13 Texas A&M, 3-0
March 27, 2009
COLLEGE STATION, Texas –
Junior lefty Shaeffer Hall scattered eight hits over 6 1/3 innings and allowed two earned runs, but he was outdueled by Texas A&M starter Brooks Raley. Raley pitched seven shutout innings and struck out a career-high 12 Jayhawks as the Aggies blanked Kansas, 3-0 Friday night at Olsen Field.
KU snaps its five-game winning streak and drops to 15-8 overall and 3-1 in the Big 12, while Texas A&M improves to 16-9 overall and 4-3 in conference play.
The Jayhawks struggled against the Texas A&M left-handed pitcher all night, mustering just three hits and six total base runners.
KU’s best chance of scoring came in the top of the fourth, after Texas A&M scored its first run. David Narodowski doubled down the left field line and Robby Price was hit by a pitch to put two men on with two outs. However, Raley struck out designated hitter Casey Lytle to end the threat.
Hall tossed his second quality start of the season and eighth by a Kansas pitcher this year, but suffered his second loss of the year. The junior lefty was betrayed by his defense twice.
In the third, following a one-out single, Brooks Raley hit a ground ball between short and third and took a wide turn at first base. Kansas tried to pick Raley off first base from left field, however the throw sailed high over the first baseman’s head to allow the lead runner to come around and score.
In the sixth, Raley again victimized the Jayhawks by lining a double into the left-center field gap. The Jayhawk outfield misplayed the ball and allowed Raley to score on the play.
The Aggies scored another run on a double and an infield single in the seventh inning for the margin of victory.
KU’s offense mustered just three hits, an infield single by Robby Price, Narodowski’s double and a fifth-inning single by Faunce.
The Jayhawks will look to even the series Saturday at 2:05 p.m. at Olsen Field. The game can be heard via audio webcast at kuathletics.com.
