Jayhawks Down No. 16 Texas A&M in Extra Innings
April 1, 2005
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Junior first baseman Jared Schweitzer connected on a two-run double with two outs in the top of the 12th inning to lift the University of Kansas baseball team to a 7-5 victory over No. 16 Texas A&M on Friday at Olsen Field.
The win improves the Jayhawks’ overall record this season to 22-10 and 2-2 in Big 12 play, while the Aggies fall to 20-10 overall and 2-5 in league play.
“This was one of the greatest games that I have been a part off,” said Kansas head coach Ritch Price. “We were able to overcome some mistakes and keep fighting to come up with a win over a quality team on the road.”
Kansas scored the contest’s first runs in the top of the second inning as two Jayhawks scored on an error by Texas A&M right fielder Andrew Baldwin. With one out, senior catcher Sean Richardson reached on a walk and advanced to second in the next at bat on a bunt attempt by Schweitzer. After a walk was issued to freshman designated hitter John Allman and a failed pick off attempt by Texas A&M starting pitcher Jason Meyer put runners on the corners with two outs, freshman second baseman Ryne Price lifted a ball to right field which appeared to be the inning’s third out. Baldwin attempted to catch the ball on the run, but had the ball pop out of his glove, allowing Richardson and Allman to come around to score and give the Jayhawks a 2-0 lead.
Junior outfielder A.J. Van Slyke plated the next two KU runs with a RBI fielder’s choice in the top of the third inning and a RBI single in the top of the fifth.
Van Slyke finished the game 2-for-6 with two RBI and a run scored in the contest.
The Aggie offense was finally able to break through against Kansas starter Mike Zagruski in the top of the seventh inning. Zagurski was chased after yielding singles to three of the first four batters in the inning. Junior Kodiak Quick relieved Zagurski and was able to get the Jayhawks out of thinning, but not before the Aggies plated two runs to cut the KU lead to 4-2.
The game was the second consecutive quality start for Zagruski, who finished the game with 6 1/3 innings pitched and yielded only two runs while striking out two batters and walking only one.
“(Mike) Zagurski was outstanding today,” Price added. “He matched A&M’s Jason Meyer, who was first team All-Big 12 last season, pitch-for-pitch. The only thing I feel bad about tonight’s game is that he wasn’t able to pick up the win.”
Meyer finished the game with 7 2/3 innings pitched and allowed four runs, only one of which was earned.
Texas A&M was able to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth inning by plating a pair of runs on a RBI groundout by left fielder Todd Sebek and a run-scoring single by second baseman Ryan Hill.
After neither team was able to push across a run in the ninth inning, the game went into extra frames. In the top of the 10th inning, the Jayhawks were able to retake the lead as Van Slyke led off the frame with a single and came around to score two batter later when Richardson doubled off the wall in right field.
The Aggies answered in the home half of the inning to tie the game at 5-5. Junior centerfielder Gus Milner and Van Slyke collided as they attempted to field a fly ball of the bat of Baldwin. Baldwin, who reached third on the play, came around to score the game-tying run later in the inning on a single by Sebek.
Kansas was finally able to deliver the knockout blow in the top of the 11th by plating a pair of runs for the final score of 7-5. Junior shortstop Ritchie Price led the inning off with a double to left center field. After a walk was issued to Richardson, Schweitzer stepped to the plate with two-outs and delivered his fourth double of the season to drive in both base runners.
Junior pitcher Don Czyz (3-1) picked up the win as he pitched a season-high 4 1/3 innings in the contest and allowed only one run, while striking out five batters
Kansas and Texas A&M will continue the three-game series on Saturday with a 7 p.m. match-up at Olsen Field.
