Big First Inning Lifts Kansas Past Texas Tech, 10-2

April 23, 2010

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LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Junior right fielder Casey Lytle went 3-for-5 with three runs scored, including one of six Kansas runs in the first inning as the Jayhawks rolled to a 10-2 Friday night victory over Texas Tech at Hoglund Ballpark in the opening game of a three-game Big 12 series.

Kansas wins its fifth straight game to improve to 25-14-1 overall and 6-6-1 in the Big 12, while the Red Raiders snapped a four-game winning streak to fall to 22-20 and 8-8 in conference play.

The Jayhawks sent 10 men to the plate in the bottom of the first inning, scoring six runs on six hits and cruised from there. Junior Tony Thompson collected a two-run single to start things off and then scored on a two-run single by designated hitter Chris Manship. Jimmy Waters also collected an RBI single in the inning.

The six-run cushion was enough support for junior right-handed pitcher T.J. Walz, who improved to 6-3 on the season. The 6-foot junior went 7 1/3 innings allowing one earned run on six hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. Walz improved to 3-0 in home starts this season.

The pitcher was the beneficiary of some outstanding defensive plays. Waters made a pair of diving catches, while shortstop Brandon Macias also layed out to take away a base hit.

Texas Tech scored their only two runs in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly and a throwing error. However, KU responded with a pair of runs by Lytle, who reached via base hits both times. Junior shortstop Brandon Macias chipped in his second home run of the season to lead off the fourth, while Robby Price scored on a Waters double in the third.

The Jayhawks banged out 13 hits in the contest, led by Lytle’s three-hit performance. Price, Waters and catcher James Stanfield each added a pair of base knocks.

Kansas will look to take its second-straight Big 12 series Saturday when it hosts Tech in game two of the three-game series at 6 p.m.