Jayhawks Drop a Heartbreaker at K-State, 2-1
May 4, 2007
MANHATTAN, Kan. –
Sophomore lefty Andy Marks allowed one hit over seven innings, however it was not enough for Kansas to secure a series opening win Friday. Kansas State scored two runs in the bottom of eighth on a pair of hits and an error to rally for a 2-1 triumph over the Jayhawks Friday evening at Tointon Stadium.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
KU falls to 22-27 overall and 8-14 in the Big 12, while K-State improves to 30-17 and 8-11 in conference play.
Marks was masterful through seven innings, allowing just one hit to K-State designated hitter Tyler Link to lead off the sixth. Prior to that hit, Marks had allowed just one base runner, walking Link with one out in the third.
The sophomore lefty retired 15 of the first 16 hitters he faced, but gave way to the bullpen in the eighth.
With one out, the Wildcats’ Rob Vaughn and Adam Muenster collected back-to-back singles to tie the score at one. Three batters later, pinch hitter Eddie Vasquez hit a hard ground ball to first that took a funny hop on KU first baseman Preston Land and plated the winning run.
It was just the sophomore first baseman’s third error of the season in 338 chances, and could not have come at a more inopportune time for KU.
Kansas took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth on a wild pitch. Junior Casey Larson, who had two of the Jayhawks’ six hits, led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kyle Murphy. Larson scored the game’s first run when K-State starting pitcher Brad Hutt uncorked a wild pitch.
That was about all Hutt did wrong Friday. The K-State righty improved to 8-3 allowing one run on six hits over eight innings. Wildcat closer Daniel Edwards retired the side in order in the ninth.
Friday’s loss marked the 11th one-run defeat of the season, against three single-run wins.
The Jayhawks will look to even the series tomorrow with a 3 p.m. game against K-State at Hoglund Ballpark. Saturday’s contest can be seen nationally on Fox Sports Net (Channel 36 on Sunflower Broadband).
