Esquibel's One-Hitter Leads Kansas Past Texas Tech, 9-1
April 12, 2008
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Senior pitcher Andres Esquibel allowed just one hit and one run over eight innings as Kansas took the second game of a three-game series from Texas Tech, 9-1, Saturday afternoon at Hoglund Ballpark. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The Jayhawks improve to 21-16 overall and 3-8 in the Big 13, while the Red Raiders fall to 17-18 overall and 4-10 in conference play. The win clinches KU’s first conference series triumph since April 30 of last season, when the Jayhawks took two-of-three at Oklahoma.
Esquibel and relief pitcher Hiarali Garcia combined on a one-hitter, marking the first time Kansas has held a conference opponent to just one hit in 20 years. In that game, KU’s Craig Mulcahy held Oklahoma to one hit on May 7, 1988.
Esquibel was dominant in his second career start against a Big 12 opponent. He mixed his fastball, change up and a slider to keep the Red Raider hitters off balance. The 6-foot-2 right-hander did walk seven, but was able to hold the visitors to just one base hit.
After retiring nine of the first 10 men he faced, the senior right gave up a pair of two out walks in the fifth. Tech third baseman Joey Kenworthy collected the Red Raiders’ only hit of the game with a soft line drive to center field, scoring pinch runner Logan Brown from second base.
That was the only time the Vista, Calif. native did not escape trouble. Esquibel match a career high with eight innings pitched, allowing one run on one hit with seven walks and a career high seven strikeouts.
Kansas’ offense was economical, scoring nine runs on six hits. The Jayhawks scored two runs in the bottom of the first on a bases loaded walk and a ground ball, double play.
The Jayhawks took a 5-0 lead in the third inning on a Buck Afenir sacrifice fly and back-to-back RBI doubles by Ryne Price and Erik Morrison.
Price also delivered two runs in the fourth with a two-run single to center, giving him two hits and three RBIs for the game.
KU was the benefited from eight walks by Texas Tech pitchers in the game.
The game, which was slated to begin at noon for a national television broadcast, had to be delayed for 47 minutes due to heavy snow flurries in the Lawrence area. Game time temperature was 38 degrees.
The teams will complete the three game series Sunday afternoon at Hoglund Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. The game will be available on an internet-only broadcast.
