Big Inning Dooms Jayhawks in 6-4 Loss
April 22, 2008
WICHITA, Kan. –
Senior John Allman and freshman Tony Thompson hit home runs, while Allman and Ryne Price each had two hits, but it was not enough. Seventh-ranked Wichita State scored six runs on six hits in the bottom of the fourth to score a 6-4 triumph over Kansas Tuesday evening at Eck Stadium.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The Jayhawks fall to 25-19 overall, while the Shockers improve to 31-7.
Other than the six-run fourth, Kansas held the home team to just three singles Tuesday night.
Starting pitcher Shaeffer Hall retired the Shockers the first time through the order without much difficulty, but ran into trouble in the fourth as the first five Wichita State hitters reached base. First baseman Clinton McKeever and designated hitter Andy Dirks both collected two-run singles in the inning, while short stop Dusty Coleman and center fielder Ryan Jones also had RBI hits.
However, trailing 6-1, Kansas fought back. Allman hit his fourth home run of the season – and first against the Shockers – in the top of the seventh to bring KU back within 6-2.
One inning later, Thompson tagged his third round-tripper of the year with Erik Morrison on base to cut the lead to 6-4. However, that was as close as it got.
Wichita State reliever Khol Nanny entered the game after Thompson’s one-out homer in the seventh and did not allow a base runner the rest of the way. Nanny collected his third save of the year in the process.
KU’s offense was paced by Allman and Ryne Price, who each collected two hits, while Casey Larson doubled and scored on an Allman single in the third.
After Hall left the game with two outs in the fourth, KU’s bullpen closed the door on the Shockers, allowing just one base hit over the final 4 1/3 innings. Senior Hiarali Garcia pitched 3 1/3 innings of hitless relief, while sophomore Thomas Marcin worked around a one-out single in the eighth.
KU will play host to Kansas Wesleyan Wednesday evening at Hoglund Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
