Jayhawks Use Long Ball to Down Texas Tech, 9-5
April 11, 2008
Final Stats | Quotes |
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Three different Jayhawks hit home runs, while junior Nick Czyz allowed just three earned runs over 6 1/3 innings as Kansas recorded a 9-5 conference win over Texas Tech Friday afternoon at chilly Hoglund Ballpark.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The Jayhawks improve to 20-15 overall and 2-8 in the Big 12, while the Red Raiders fall to 17-17 and 4-9 in conference play. KU’s Friday evening win was its first against a conference opponent since it downed Nebraska on May 18 of last season.
KU’s offense hit three home runs and collected 12 hits to snap a six-game losing streak against Big 12 competition.
The Jayhawks jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Senior Casey Larson led off with a single up the middle and scored on a line drive double by sophomore Robby Price. Allman then connected on an 0-1 pitch for his third home run of the season.
Allman drove in his third run of the day with a line drive single following back-to-back one-out hits by Larson and Robby Price in the second inning.
After Texas Tech cut the lead in half on a two-run single by Joey Kenworthy, Erik Morrison hit his fifth home run of the season – third in the last two games – to regain the three-run advantage.
The Red Raiders came within one in the top of the seventh when Willie Rueda drove in two runs with a single to left field. However, after Shaeffer Hall retired Roger Kieschnick to end the threat in the seventh, KU came back with four runs of its own in the bottom of the seventh.
Preston Land hit a three-run shot to left field after a Ryne Price RBI single. It was the junior first baseman’s first round-tripper since he hit two home runs against Iowa on March 2.
The offense was more than enough support for Czyz and the Jayhawk bullpen. The veteran lefty allowed just three hits and three earned runs over 6 1/3 innings, collecting seven strikeouts. It was Czyz’ longest outing since he threw seven innings against Arkansas on March 10, 2007.
Junior Paul Smyth allowed a lead-off home run to Doug Thennis in the eighth but finished off the Red Raiders over the final two innings.
Both Allman and Robby Price had three hits in the game, while Larson chipped in a 2-for-3 effort with two runs scored.
The Jayhawks will meet Texas Tech in game two of the series Saturday at noon at Hoglund Ballpark. The game will be televised nationally on Fox Sports Net (Channel 36 – Sunflower Cable).
