Ninth Inning Rally Foils KU Baseball Again, 8-7

May 1, 2011

LUBBOCK, Texas –

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Freshman Tucker Tharp hit a three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to give the Jayhawks their first lead of the day, however Texas Tech rallied for three unearned runs, capped by a walk-off walk to down KU 8-7 and sweep the three-game series at Dan Law Field Sunday.

The Jayhawks, who led two of the three games going into the bottom of the ninth, fall to 20-24 overall and 9-12 in Big 12 play, while Texas Tech improves to 28-19 overall and 9-12 in conference play. The loss drops KU into a three-way tie for fifth-place in the league standings with Baylor and Tech.

Kansas trailed throughout the day, but Tharp’s home run with two on and two outs in the ninth inning gave the Jayhawks an 7-5 lead. It was just Tharp’s third hit of the season.

KU reliever Colton Murray recorded two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but Tech scored three unearned runs on a single, a wild pitch, a passed ball, a hit batsman and three walks. Murray had entered the game in the seventh inning and retired six of the first seven hitters he faced.

After a passed ball on a strikeout allowed Barrett Barnes to reach base, Stephen Hagen walked to put runners on first and second. Kelby Tomlinson then blooped an RBI single over second base with two outs to bring Tech within 7-6.

The Red Raiders tied the game when Murray uncorked a wild pitch. After a hit batsman loaded the bases, Andre Wheeler forced home the winning run when he drew a base on balls.

The Texas Tech rally ruined a good offensive day for the Jayhawks, who scored seven runs on 14 hits. Sophomore Jordan Dreiling went 4-for-4 with three RBIs. The Lawrence native had three separate game-tying RBI singles Sunday. Alex DeLeon and James Stanfield each recorded two hits in the game.

KU entered the ninth inning trailing 5-4, but with two outs, Stanfield singled and Casey Lytle walked to set up Tharp’s three-run jack.

The Jayhawks will look to bounce back from their first series sweep since March when they take on Wichita State Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at Hoglund Ballpark. The game can be seen live on MetroSports/Kansas 22.