Big Inning Propels Jayhawks to Series Finale Victory
April 10, 2005
NORMAN, Okla. – Junior pitcher Kodiak Quick picked up his Big-12 leading eighth win of the season as the University of Kansas baseball team used a seven run first inning to defeat Oklahoma, 9-3, on Sunday in the series finale of a three-game league set at L. Dale Mitchell Park.
The victory improves KU overall record this season to 24-14 and 3-6 in Big 12 action, while the Sooners drop to 19-12 and 5-4 in conference play.
The Jayhawks’ hot start in the contest began as junior outfielder Matt Baty led off the inning with a single and was followed by junior shortstop Ritchie Price, who reached on an error by OU starter Brad Burns after attempting to bunt Baty over into scoring position. Junior outfielder A.J. Van Slyke stepped to the plate in the next at bat and hit a single, which was misplayed by the right fielder allowing Baty to score the game’s first run. The error was the second of three committed by the Sooners in the inning.
Freshman second baseman Ryne Price also chipped in during the inning, connecting on his fifth home run of the season, a solo shot that hit off the batter’s eye in center field. Ritchie Price plated the final two KU runs in the game’s opening stanza in his second at bat as he singled up the middle to score senior designated hitter Travis Dunlap and freshman Erik Morrison.
Kansas added a run in the top of the third inning to press its advantage to 8-0. With one out in the frame, Baty singled and in the next at bat stole second before advancing to third on a throwing error by Oklahoma catcher Jackson Williams. The Wichita, Kan., native came in to score on a wild pitch from OU reliever Daniel McCutchen.
Baty finished the game 3-for-4 at the plate and added a game-high three runs scored and two stolen bases.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Sooners were able to get on the board by way of a two-run home run off the bat of right fielder Kody Kaiser.
The runs were two of only three allowed by Quick on the afternoon as he scattered nine hits in seven innings of work, while collecting six strikeouts.
OU scored in the fifth inning on a RBI single from designated hitter Eric Thornton, cutting the Jayhawks’ lead to 8-3.
Baty came around to score his third run of the game in the top of the eighth to add an insurance tally to the KU lead, giving the `Hawks a 9-3 advantage.
KU junior closer Don Czyz entered the game in the bottom of the eighth inning in relief of Quick and held the Sooners scoreless for the game’s final two innings.
Kansas baseball is back in action on Wednesday as it travels to Wichita, Kan., to battle in-state rival Wichita State at Eck Stadium for the second time this season. The Jayhawks won the first meeting with the Shockers this season, 13-6, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.
