K-State Nips KU, 5-4, to Avoid Series Sweep
April 23, 2006
MANHATTAN, Kan. –
Despite a late rally, the University of Kansas (29-16, 9-9 Big 12) could not overcome a season-high four errors in a 5-4 loss to Kansas State (24-12-1, 4-10-1 Big 12) Sunday afternoon in Manhattan, Kan.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Senior Matt Baty attempted to mount a ninth inning rally with a one-out double. After senior Jared Schweitzer popped out to second, sophomore Erik Morrison stepped to the plate and drilled a liner to left center for an apparent game-tying hit, only to have KSU centerfielder Tyler Link make a diving catch to end the game.
Kansas climbed to within a run on a pinch-hit two-run homer by Justin Ellrich in the eighth inning. Gus Milner was on base after singling with one out. The home run deep over the right field wall was Ellrich’s first career.
Senior Kodiak Quick (7-3) had his four-game Big 12 winning streak snapped as he took the tough-luck loss. Quick scattered six hits – all singles – while allowing four runs – two earned – in 6.0 innings.
Kansas State scored the games first run in the third inning. Brett Scott led off the frame with a single and moved to second after Brandon Farr was walked. Jared Goedert then singled to right field to give KSU a 1-0 lead.
KU came back to tie the game in the fourth inning. Singles by Morrison and Milner put runners on the corners. Freshman Preston Land then knocked a sacrifice fly, scoring Morrison.
K-State retook a one-run lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Quick allowed a walk and a single, which allowed the Wildcats to move both runners up a base with a sacrifice bunt. A ground out to Schweitzer at second baseman allowed KSU to score its second run of the game.
Schweitzer tied the game back up with a two-out solo homer over the left field fence in the fifth. The home run was Schweitzer’s seventh of the season and 19th of his career.
The Wildcats scored two unearned runs in the sixth inning. Barrett Rice reached on a throwing error by Morrison to start the inning. After Joe Roundy walked, Byron Wiley moved both runners up a base with a sacrifice bunt.
With two outs, Eli Rumler hit a slow roller in front of second base for an RBI single. Schweitzer kicked the ball over towards short allowing Roundy to score as well. KSU picked up another unearned run in the seventh inning to go up 5-4.
Baty had three of KU’s 12 hits on the day. The Jayhawks out-hit Kansas State 12-8 in the game and left 10 men on base to KSU’s eight.
Kansas will play two mid-week games at the Best of the Midwest Tournament at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Mo. KU will face SEMO Tuesday, April 25 and Creighton on Wednesday, April 26. Both games will start at 3 p.m.
Game Notes: K-State snapped its four game losing streak to KU … Ritch Price is now 8-4 against Kansas State … Jared Schweitzer upped his hitting streak to eight games while Ritchie Price has now hit in seven straight … Justin Ellrich’s pinch hit homer was the second of the season for KU.
