Allman, Marciel Spark Kansas Past Texas Tech
April 22, 2007
LUBBOCK, Texas –
Junior John Allman went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while freshman Wally Marciel allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings as the University of Kansas avoided a sweep with a 8-1 triumph over Texas Tech Sunday at Dan Law Field.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The Jayhawks improve to 20-25 overall and 6-12 in the Big 12, while the Red Raiders fall to 24-17 and 7-10 in conference play.
After struggling to score runs for the entire weekend, KU finally broke out of its slump pounding out 11 hits and scoring eight runs.
Junior Erik Morrison had the big hit, doubling in Allman to break a one-all tie and open the floodgates to seven unanswered runs over the final four innings for KU. It marked the Jayhawks’ best offensive day since scoring 14 runs on 12 hits in a victory over No. 6 Texas on April 6.
The offense backed Marciel, who earned his first conference victory. The 6-foot-2 lefty went 5 2/3 innings, scattering eight hits and allowing just one run. Marciel walked one and struck out a pair for his fourth win of the season.
The Jayhawks broke on top in the second inning. After junior Ryne Price reached on a wild pitch, Casey Larson and Joe Servais delivered back-to-back hits to score KU’s first run. Larson singled to left field and Servais doubled down the left field line to score Price from second.
Texas Tech tied the game on a solo homer by designated hitter Chris Richburg to lead off the bottom of the third.
KU regained the lead in the sixth. Junior John Allman was hit by a pitch for the 14th time this season with one out, setting up Erik Morrison’s RBI double to the gap in left center. The inning continued as Buck Afenir and Ryne Price drew walks to load the bases with one out.
Larson worked an 0-2 count into a walk and Servais drove in his second run of the game with an RBI ground out.
Kansas added to its lead in the seventh. Senior Kyle Murphy led off the inning with a single and then scored on John Allman’s RBI single to center field. Two batters later, Afenir collected his first RBI of the weekend with a single to center to score Allman.
KU added two more runs in the ninth on RBI hits by Allman and catcher Dylan Parzyk. Allman was one of four Jayhawks with multiple hits in the game. Senior Kyle Murphy led the way with three hits and two runs scored.
Junior Hiarali Garcia and sophomore Paul Smyth held TTU scoreless in their combined 3 1/3 innings of relief.
The Jayhawks will face Border Showdown rival Missouri in a non-conference game Wednesday at Kauffman Stadium at 7 p.m.
