Jayhawks Fall on a Walk-Off Walk
April 4, 2008
WACO, Texas –
Senior Ryne Price hit a two-run homer to tie the game in the eighth, while catcher Buck Afenir had three hits, but it was not enough. Pinch hitter Jon Ringenberg drew a bases loaded walk with one out in the bottom of the ninth as No. 29 Baylor snuck past Kansas, 4-3 at Baylor Ballpark Friday evening.
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The Bears improve to 17-11 overall and 4-6 in conference play, while Kansas drops to 19-14 overall and 1-6 in the Big 12.
Baylor starting pitcher Kendal Volz dominated for most of the game, allowing just one run on six hits through the first seven innings and fanning a season-high 12 Jayhawks.
Kansas broke through in the eighth, however. After a two-out single by catcher Buck Afenir – who had three hits against the Bears’ starting pitcher – senior Ryne Price drove a change up over the right field wall to tie the game at three. It was the right fielder’s team-leading eight home run of the season and his conference-leading 41stRBI.
The Bears scored the winning run off KU closer Paul Smyth in the ninth. The Jayhawk righty gave up three walks in the inning, including the clincher to Ringenberg. Coming into the frame, the Kansas closer had allowed just one base on balls the entire season.
Junior Nick Czyz got the start for KU Friday and held the Bears to just one run on five hits over 4 1/3 innings.
Kansas jumped on the board in the top of the first on an RBI single by Afenir. Center fielder Nick Faunce led off the game with a two-strike single up the middle and moved to second on a sacrifice by Robby Price. After John Allman walked, Afenir slammed the first pitch he saw into left field for a 1-0 edge.
Baylor tied the game in the second inning when left fielder Ben Booker was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Bears took a 3-1 lead in the sixth on a Shaver Hanson sacrifice fly and an Adam Hornung RBI double.
Afenir led the Jayhawks with three hits in the game, while designated hitter Casey Larson chipped in a pair of singles.
The Jayhawks will look to even the series Saturday at 6:35 p.m. in game two of the three game set.
