Jayhawks Down Sacramento State to Win Third Straight Game
April 27, 2005
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The University of Kansas baseball team won its third straight game on Wednesday as they defeated Sacramento State, 12-5, in the third game of the Best of the Midwest Tournament at Community America Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan.
The win improves KU’s overall record to 27-20, while Sacramento State falls to 18-24-1 this season.
The Hornets tallied the first run in the contest, scoring on a throwing error by KU shortstop Ritchie Price as the Jayhawks attempted to turn an inning-ending double play in the top of the first inning.
Kansas wasted no time regaining the advantage in the contest, throwing two runs on the scoreboard in the home half of the first. After a leadoff double by junior outfielder Matt Baty, Price was able to slice a ball into the gap in right center field for a RBI double. Right fielder Gus Milner plated the final run of the inning on a RBI groundout.
Price finished the game 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBI and a career-high four runs scored.
Freshman John Allman extended the Jayhawks’ lead in the bottom of the second inning as he connected on the first home run of his career, a solo shot to right field.
Kansas used the long ball to again in the third inning as junior outfielder A.J. Van Slyke slammed his team-leading ninth home run of the season, a two-run shot over the wall in right field.
After the Hornets tallied a run in the top of the sixth inning to cut the KU lead to 5-2, the Jayhawks responded in the bottom half of the inning with RBI singles from Allman and freshman third baseman Erik Morrison.
Morrison continued his hot hitting, posting a 2-for-3 day at the plate to collect his fourth and fifth hits of the tournament.
Again in the seventh inning, Sacramento State pushed across a run in visitor’s half of the frame but Kansas countered with two scores of its own during its at bat.
Jared Schweitzer singled in a run in the inning to extend his career-best hitting streak to 16 games, the longest by a Jayhawk this season.
Kansas tallied three more runs in the eighth inning to open a 12-3 lead. KU scored in the frame on RBI singles from Ritchie Price and pinch hitter Brock Simpson as well as a bases loaded walk from Mike Dudley.
The Hornets got a two-run home run in the top of the ninth to give the game a final score of 12-5.
The Jayhawks resume Big 12 play this weekend as they take on in-state rival Kansas State. The first game of the series will be held in Manhattan, Kan., on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The series will switch sites for the remainder of the weekend, as Saturday and Sunday’s games will both take place at KU’s Hoglund Ballpark.
