Zagurski Leads Jayhawks to 6-4 Victory Over K-State
May. 1, 2005
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Senior left-handed pitcher Mike Zagurski turned in a strong pitching performance and the Jayhawk offense slammed three home runs as the University of Kansas baseball team posted a key victory over in-state rival Kansas State, 6-4, on Sunday at Hoglund Ballpark. The victory seals the first conference series win for the Jayhawks this season.
With the win, KU improves to 29-21 overall this season and 6-11 in Big 12 play, while Kansas State drops to 23-20 and 7-14 in league action. Kansas also jumps KSU in the conference standings into sole possession of ninth place in the league.
“I thought that Mike Zagurksi was really special today,” said Kansas head coach Ritch Price. “Today was the best pitching performance that he has had in the two years that he has been here.”
The game did not start as KU had planned as for the third time in the series, the Wildcats were able to tally the game’s first run in the first inning.
With KU trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the second inning, junior first baseman Jared Schweitzer dumped a single into right field to extend his career-long hitting streak to 18 games. The Jayhawks were unable to capitalize in the frame and were held scoreless for the second straight inning.
KSU leadoff hitter Terry Blunt gave the Wildcats a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning as he blasted his third home run of the season to center field.
Junior left fielder A.J. Van Slyke got the Jayhawks on the scoreboard and tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the third inning as he connected on his team-leading 11th home run of the season, a two-out two-run shot to left center field.
Kansas took its first lead of the game in the home half of the fourth inning as senior designated hitter Andy Scholl slammed his fourth home run of the season, a solo shot to right center field, and junior center fielder Matt Baty chipped in with a RBI single in the frame.
Gus Milner pressed the KU lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning, as he blasted his ninth home run of the season.
The Jayhawks plated an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning to expand their lead to 6-2. After Sean Richardson led off the inning with a single, Kansas State recorded an out and intentionally walked Schweitzer in an attempt to set up an inning-ending double play. Ryne Price spoiled the Wildcats’ plans as he delivered a RBI single in the next at bat.
Zagurski (5-4) was lifted for closer Don Czyz with two outs in the eighth inning and finished the game with 7 2/3 innings pitched. The Omaha, Neb., native yielded only two runs in the contest while walking four and striking out seven.
Kansas State did not go quietly in the ninth inning as they posted a pair of runs on a home run by first baseman Barrett Rice. Czyz recovered to close out the inning and collect his seventh save of the season.
The replay of Sunday’s game can be seen in the Kansas City area on Metro Sports. The contest will air at noon on May 2, 4 p.m. on May 8 and 9 a.m. on May 9.
Kansas will now turn its attention to a pair of midweek games next week and a weekend series with top-ranked Texas. KU will host St. Mary’s in a 7 p.m. match-up on Tuesday before traveling to Wichita, Kan., to battle the Wichita State Shockers on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Next weekend, KU will take on the Texas Longhorns in a three-game series at Hoglund Ballpark. All three contests in the Texas series will be featured on national television.
