KU Downs #29 Missouri, 9-6, To Take Border Showdown Series
April 2, 2006
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LAWRENCE, Kan. –
The University of Kansas (20-11, 4-5 Big) won the rubber match of its three-game series against No. 29 Missouri, 9-6, Sunday afternoon at Hoglund Ballpark. The series victory marks the second time under Ritch Price KU has won the Border Showdown series in Lawrence.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Senior Kodiak Quick (5-2) picked up the victory on the mound for KU. The Belton, Mo., native struck out two Tigers and allowed three runs on seven hits in 7.0 innings of work. Senior Don Czyz picked up his 10th save of the season entering in relief with two men on with two outs and the score 5-3 in the eighth inning.
Senior Jared Schweitzer gave KU a 3-2 lead with a two-run homer in the third inning. Ritchie Price scored on Schweitzer’s fourth homer of the year after drawing a walk to lead off the frame.
Missouri took a 2-0 lead with single runs in the first and second innings. MU’s Zane Taylor gave the Tigers an early 1-0 lead with a solo homer over the centerfield wall in the top of the first. Two singles, a bunt and sacrifice fly gave the Tigers its second run of the game.
After hitting a go-ahead home run in the eighth inning of Saturday’s game, Erik Morrison struck again with a homer over the left centerfield wall on his first swing of the day. The blast was his team-leading eighth of the season and pulled KU to within a run at 2-1.
With runners on first and second, Ryne Price roped a shot down the first base line only to have Mizzou’s first baseman Derek Chambers make a diving catch. Chambers touched first base for the rally killing double play to end the third.
After junior Dylan Parzyk doubled to open up the fourth inning, MU’s starting pitcher Rick Zagone was replaced by Travis Wendte. Kyle Murphy then laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Parzyk over to third base with one out. Ritchie Price drove Parzyk home with a ground out to second base giving KU a 4-2 advantage.
Sophomore Ryne Price worked a walk to start the sixth inning, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and to third on a failed pick off attempt. With two outs, Ritchie Price doubled to right centerfield to score Ryne Price and record his second RBI of the game and 15th of the season.
After Missouri scored a run in the seventh inning to make the score 5-3, the Jayhawks exploded for four runs in the bottom of the eighth. Two walks and two hit batters scored KU’s first run of the frame before senior Gus Milner recorded a two-run bases loaded single. An RBI ground out by sophomore John Allman plated KU’s fourth run of the inning.
Missouri made the game interesting in the top of the ninth. After Czyz recorded the final out of the eighth inning, the Tigers pushed three runs across on four hits in the ninth. The four hits and three earned runs were both season-highs for Czyz.
Ritchie Price, Milner and Allman each recorded two of KU’s 11 hits in the game. Schweitzer scored twice and drove in three runs.
Kansas will have a rematch with in-state foe Wichita State in Wichita on Wednesday, April 5. Game time at Eck Stadium is set for 7 p.m. KU won the first game between the two teams, 8-2, on March 29 in Lawrence.
Game Notes: The game was delayed 49 minutes to start due to the threat of severe weather … Sophomore Ryne Price returned to the lineup after missing 18 games with a wrist injury, the last game Price played in was on Feb. 24 at Belmont … Price singled on the first pitch he saw in his return … Senior Ritchie Price was hit by a pitch for the 50th time in his career, increasing his school record … Don Czyz made his 110th appearance, one shy of the Big 12 career record … Czyz’s 10th save this season is tied for the second most in a single season by a KU reliever, matching the mark he set last season and one behind the record set by Jimmy Walker in 1993 … KU now leads the Border Showdown 13.5 to 10.5.
