Jayhawks Outslug No. 6 Texas, 14-6
April 6, 2007
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Junior Casey Larson hit two solo home runs, while juniors Erik Morrison and Ryne Price each collected two hits and scored three times as the University of Kansas toppled No. 6 Texas, 14-6 in a Big 12 baseball game played Friday at Hoglund Ballpark. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The Jayhawks improve to 18-19 overall and 4-7 in conference play, while the Longhorns drop to 27-10 and 8-3 in the Big 12.
Kansas was held scoreless in just one inning Friday and the Jayhawks enjoyed their second-most productive conference game of the season, scoring 14 runs.
After the Longhorns cut the Jayhawk lead to 4-3 in the top of the fourth, KU sent 11 hitters to the plate, scoring six runs on three hits and drew four walks in the inning. Larson led off the inning with his second home run of the game, becoming the third different Jayhawk in the last seven days to record a two-homer day.
KU collected seven extra base hits in the game, including junior John Allman’s first of the season and Ryne Price’s team-leading fourth triple of the year.
Catcher Preston Clark and designated hitter Russell Moldenhauer each had two hits for Texas, who lost for just the third time in conference play.
Longhorns starting pitcher Adrian Alanez, who entered the game with a 1.75 ERA, was tagged for a season-high five earned runs in three innings of work. He suffered his second loss of the year to go with his eight wins.
Junior Andres Esquibel, who was the losing pitcher in KU’s game at Kansas State Tuesday, earned the victory by pitching 3 2/3 innings of relief. The 6-foot-2 righty scattered three hits and struck out a pair for his team-leading fifth victory.
Paul Smyth pitched the final 2 1/3 innings, allowing just two hits.
All nine Jayhawk starters collected hits on Friday, while Kansas recorded a win over a team ranked sixth or higher for the first time since defeating No. 2 Nebraska on March 27 last year.
The teams will play the rubber game of the series tomorrow at Hoglund Ballpark starting at 1 p.m.
