KU Drops K-State 5-2 in Manhattan
April 22, 2006
Manhattan, Kan. –
Behind three hits and three RBI from sophomore Erik Morrison the University of Kansas (29-15, 9-8 Big 12) defeated Kansas State (23-12-1, 3-10-1 Big 12), 5-2, Saturday in front of a record crowd of 4,026 at Tointon Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kan.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Senior Don Czyz struck out two of the three batters he faced in working a perfect ninth inning for his NCAA leading 15th save of the year. For the second game in a row, freshman Paul Smyth handed the ball to Czyz after an effective relief appearance. Smyth allowed one hit in 1.1 innings.
Senior Ricky Fairchild improved to 5-4 on the year while working 6.0 innings, allowing four hits, two runs and striking out two. KU pitching held the Wildcats to five hits on the day.
Morrison notched a two-run single down the left field line to give KU a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Seniors Jared Schweitzer and Matt Baty scored on the play after reaching base on a fielder’s choice and error, respectively.
Fairchild couldn’t find the zone in the second inning but was still able to hold the Wildcats to just one run. After recording two quick outs, Fairchild walked a batter, hit the next then proceeded to walk the next two, bringing home KSU’s first run of the game. With the bases still loaded, Fairchild coaxed Brandon Farr to fly out to centerfield to end the frame.
After Baty’s sacrifice fly scored sophomore Brock Simpson in the third inning, Morrison struck again down the left field line this time with an RBI double to give KU a 4-1 lead. An RBI single by Simpson scored senior Gus Milner in the fourth inning. Milner reached base with a leadoff double.
After giving up a single and a walk, Fairchild was chased from the game and replaced by junior Brendan McNamara. KSU executed a sacrifice bunt to put runners at second and third before McNamara was called for a balk allowing one KSU run to score.
McNamara recorded the second out of the inning then walked Jared Goedert before being replaced by Smyth. Smyth got the first batter he faced to pop out, ending the KSU threat.
Kansas played flawless defense while the Wildcats recorded two errors, leading to four unearned Jayhawk runs.
Senior Kodiak Quick (7-2, 3.28 ERA) and sophomore lefty Chase Bayuk (5-2, 3.92) will face off in Sunday’s series finale. Game time at Tointon Family Stadium is set for 1 p.m. The game will be shown live on Fox Sports Net.
Game Notes: Ritch Price is 8-3 against Kansas State … KU is now 12-2 when Brock Simpson hits lead off … Matt Baty has his season-long eight game hitting streak snapped … Schweitzer upped his hitting streak to seven games while Ritchie Price has now hit in six straight.
