Walz, Jayhawks Strike Out Baylor, 6-2

April 1, 2011

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

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Senior pitcher T.J. Walz struck out a season high 11 Baylor Bears and went 7 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits, while Jimmy Waters went 3-for-3 with his first home run of the season as Kansas thumped No. 19 Baylor, 6-2, in a Big 12 baseball game at Hoglund Ballpark Friday night.

The Jayhawks snap a four-game losing streak and improve to 11-14 overall and 3-4 in the Big 12. The Bears fall to 16-11 overall and 3-4 in conference play.

Walz was dominant throughout the game and was backed by a pair of round-trippers. The senior right-handed pitcher from Omaha, Neb., retired the first 12 men he faced before Joey Hainsfurther led off the fifth with a double to right center.

The senior pitcher allowed both runs in the fifth on a one-out RBI double by Josh Ludy and a wild pitch. After the fifth, Walz retired eight of the next 10 he faced before back-to-back two out walks in the eighth ended his night. His 11 strikeouts in the game were the most by a KU pitcher since he fanned 12 against K-State in the 2009 regular season finale.

After scoring just three runs in last weekend’s series at Texas A&M, KU’s bats broke out with six runs on 13 hits. Waters, the senior left fielder, had three of them including a solo home run in the first inning, which gave KU a 1-0 lead.

The Jayhawks tacked on another run in the second. After catcher James Stanfield tripled to lead off the inning, Zac Elgie hit a soft line drive to right which was misplayed by Baylor outfielder Cal Towey, which allowed the run to score.

Elgie delivered two more runs in the fourth with a mammoth home run to left, following a one-out single by Brandon Macias.

Junior closer Colton Murray recorded the final four outs for his fifth save of the season, retiring all three men via strikeout in the ninth.

The Jayhawks improved to 9-4 at home this season. While Walz moved up in the KU record books, recording his 23rd career victory, which ties him for second all-time with Jimmy Walker and Jamie Splittorff.

KU will look to take the series against the Bears Saturday at Hoglund Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.