Jayhawks Open Series With 5-2 Victory Over No. 2 Texas
May 6, 2005
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LAWRENCE, Kan. – Junior first baseman Jared Schweitzer hit safely for his 21st consecutive game, tying the all-time record for longest hit streak at Kansas, and helped to lead the Jayhawks to a 5-2 victory over No. 2 Texas in front of 1,707 fans at Hoglund Ballpark on Friday.
The victory improves KU’s overall record this season to 32-21 and 7-11 in Big 12 play, while Texas drops to 38-10 and 13-8 in league action.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with our performance tonight,” said Kansas head coach Ritch Price. “That is as good a ball game that we have played this season. We were able to execute in every phase of the game. They are going to come out at us harder tomorrow, so we will have be ready to come out and compete.”
The Jayhawks drew first blood in the match as they tallied a run in the bottom of the second inning on the fifth home run of the season by senior catcher Sean Richardson. Leading off the frame, Richardson connected on a 1-0 pitch from Texas starter Kyle McCulloch and hooked a drive just inside the foul pole in left field.
In the next at bat, Schweitzer wasted no time tying Ryan Baty’s school-record 21-game streak, which Baty accomplished to close the 2004 campaign, by singling through the left side of the infield.
“It is a pretty cool feeling to have my name in the KU record book,” said Schweitzer. “Especially to be associated with Ryan Baty. He is great company to be among, because he left such a great legacy here at Kansas.”
In the top of the fourth, Texas finally got to Land, who was perfect in the game’s first three innings. The Longhorns got a leadoff double from Nick Peoples and pushed him across later in the frame on a RBI single from shortstop Seth Johnson.
Kansas opened a 4-1 advantage in the bottom of the fifth inning as they plated a run on a solo home run by Schweitzer and a pair of unearned runs. With one out in the inning and two runners on, junior center fielder Matt Baty sent a pitch out in left field, which was misplayed by UT left fielder Carson Kainer, allowing both runners to come in to score.
Land (5-4) pitched a strong five innings in the game, allowing three hits and only one earned run, while striking out four. Land went out for the top of the sixth, but was replaced by junior Kodiak Quick after allowing a lead off walk to eight-hole hitter David Maroul.
Texas was able to push Maroul around to score later in the frame, cutting the Jayhawk lead to 4-2.
Quick finished the inning and pitched a perfect seventh inning, sending the game to the home half of the frame with KU holding to a two-run advantage.
The Jayhawks added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh as Gus Milner drove in a run with an infield single, increasing KU’s lead to 5-2.
Junior closer Don Czyz entered the game in the top of the eighth and held the Longhorns scoreless for the game’s final two frames to earn his ninth save of the season.
Kansas and Texas will continue the series on Saturday with a 6 p.m. match-up which can be seen live on ESPNU. Kansas will send senior lefty Mike Zagurski (5-4) to the mound to square off against Longhorn right-handed pitcher Adrian Alaniz (3-2).
