Kansas Rally Falls Short at No. 13 Texas A&M, 6-5
March 29, 2009
COLLEGE STATION, Texas –
Junior David Narodowski and senior Buck Afenir each had two hits, while KU’s bullpen pitched four scoreless innings, but it was not enough. Texas A&M built an early six-run advantage and held on for a 6-5 triumph over Kansas a Big 12 baseball game Sunday at Olsen Field.
Texas A&M swept the three-game series, winning the final two games by one run. Kansas drops to 15-10 overall and 3-3 in the conference, while the Aggies improve to 18-9 overall and 6-3 in Big 12 play.
Trailing 6-0 after the fourth inning, Kansas came back and made a game of it.
After scoring a run in the top of the sixth, KU cut the Aggie lead in half on a two-run single by David Narodowski. The junior shortstop’s hit followed a lead-off walk by Casey Lytle and a double by Preston Land.
KU came within a run on Tony Thompson’s two-run single in the eighth. Much like the seventh, the inning started with a single by Brian Heere and a double by Afenir. Thompson followed with a ground ball up the middle for his team-leading 24th and 25th RBIs of the season.
However, that’s as close as it would get. Texas A&M closer Nick Fleece came out of the bullpen and retired all five Jayhawks he faced to earn his third save of the season and second of the series.
KU outhit the home team 8-4 in the game, but left six men on base and fanned 12 times.
Texas A&M built its lead against Jayhawk starter Lee Ridenhour, who had his first rough outing in a Kansas uniform. Ridenhour went four innings allowing a season-high six runs on five hits with three walks and no strikeouts.
KU’s bullpen, however, was brilliant. Sophomore Brett Bochy entered the game in the fifth inning and struck out seven of the nine men he faced in three scoreless innings.
Junior Travis Blankenship also held the deficit to a single run by striking out a pair in the eighth.
Kansas suffered its seventh one-run loss this season – with all seven coming on the road. Last weekend, KU won all three games in the series against Texas by one run.
The Jayhawks will look to get back on track Tuesday when they play host to Northern Colorado in a non-conference game at Hoglund Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
