Kansas Downs New Mexico State in Slugfest, 12-11

April 26, 2005

Box Score

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Jayhawks rallied from behind to post four runs in the seventh inning to down New Mexico State by a score of 12-11 on Tuesday at Community America Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan.

The victory improves Kansas’ overall record this season to 26-20, while the Aggies drop to 22-18.

The Jayhawks jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning plating three runs on a pair of hits. Junior shortstop Ritchie Price drew a walk with one out in the frame and was joined on base two batters later by outfielder Gus Milner, who also drew a free pass. Senior catcher Sean Richardson plated both base runners with a RBI double in the next at bat and junior Jared Schweitzer extended his career-long hitting streak to 15 games with a RBI single to plate Richardson from second.

Schweitzer finished the game 2-for-2 at the plate, improving his batting average this season to .348.

New Mexico State responded in the top of the second inning by throwing a four spot on the scoreboard to take its first lead of the ballgame. A three-run triple by nine-hole hitter Brandon Lance highlighted the inning for the Aggies.

In the bottom of the third inning, KU batted around and plated five runs to chase New Mexico State starter Joseph Hampel.

The Aggies got back into the game by plating at least one run in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings to send the game to the home half of the seventh with NMSU leading 11-8.

Kansas sent 10 men to the plate in the seventh inning and pushed across four runs to retake the lead at 12-11. Ritchie Price drove in the first run of the frame as he was stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and was plunked with a pitch for the school-record 41st time in his career. Junior A.J. Van Slyke added an RBI single and Milner drew a bases loaded walk to knot the game at 11-11. The eventual game-winning run came in to score as Richardson sent a shot down the third base line that was misplayed by NDSU’s third baseman.

Junior closer Don Czyz entered the game in the eighth inning and tossed two scoreless inning to earn his fifth save of the season.

Freshman third baseman Erik Morrison tied a career-high with three hits in the game as he turned in a 3-for-4 performance at the plate.

The Jayhawks conclude play at the Best of the Midwest Tournament on Wednesday, as they take on Sacramento State in a Noon match-up. Kansas will send sophomore left-handed pitcher Sean Land (3-4) to the mound as it attempts to win its third straight game.