Jayhawks Post Ninth Inning Rally to Down Wichita State, 5-3
May 4, 2005
WICHITA, Kan. – Senior catcher Sean Richardson connected on a three-run home run and scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch in the top of the ninth inning to lift the University of Kansas baseball team to a 5-3 victory over in-state rival Wichita State on Wednesday at Eck stadium in Wichita, Kan.
The victory is the seventh for the Jayhawks in their last eight games and improves their overall record to 31-21, while Wichita State falls to 38-16 on the year. The game is the final of four games between the schools this season and the series ends with each team capturing a pair of victories.
The Jayhawks got off to a hot start in the contest by plating three runs in the top of the first inning on a home run by Richardson. With one out, junior shortstop Ritchie Price reach on a fielding error and junior outfielder A.J. Van Slyke singled to give the Jayhawks a pair of base runners. Right fielder Gus Milner was retired on a pop up to set the table for Richardson to go deep for the fourth time this season.
Wichita State tallied a run in the home half of the first off Kansas starter Tyson Corley, cutting the KU lead to 3-1.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Shockers were able to knot the game at 3-3 as they plated runs on a RBI ground out by first baseman Derek Schermerhorn and a run-scoring single by designated hitter Danny Jackson.
Corley responded to retire 10 straight batters at one point and keep the Shockers off the scoreboard for the next 3 2/3 innings. The Mill Valley, Kan., native finished the game with 6 2/3 innings pitched and allowed only two earned runs while collecting a career-high seven strikeouts.
The Jayhawks pushed across the go-ahead run and an insurance tally in the top of the ninth inning to open a 5-3 advantage. Richardson drew a walk with one out in the inning and was followed by Jared Schweitzer, who doubled to put runners on second and third. Senior Andy Scholl, who entered the game in the seventh inning in the designated hitter spot, swung and missed at a pitch with two-strike count, but the ball bounced away from the catcher allowing Scholl to reach first safely and Richardson to come home with the eventual game-winning run. Freshman Ryne Price lifted a ball to center field in the next at bat for a sacrifice fly.
The double by Schweitzer extended his career-long hitting streak to 20 games and moves him into a tie for second place on the all-time KU hitting streak list. Schweitzer trails only Ryan Baty, who hit safely in 21 consecutive contests to close the 2004 campaign.
Junior closer Don Czyz pitched a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his eighth save of the season and in doing so set the Kansas junior class record for saves in a season. Czyz previously shared the record with Brandon Johnson, who saved seven games in the 2003 season.
Junior pitcher Kodiak Quick received credit for the win, improving his record this season to 9-5. The KU school record for wins in a season is 10, which is held by several players.
Kansas baseball returns to action this weekend when it hosts No. 3 Texas in a three-game set at Hoglund Ballpark. All the of contests with the Longhorns will be featured on national television on ESPNU and Sunday’s contest will be replayed on ESPN2 at 5 p.m.
