Jayhawks Thump Missouri, 10-3

May 7, 2010

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Walz Postgame

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LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Juniors Brandon Macias and Tony Thompson each had four hits, while pitcher T.J. Walz went seven innings to earn his eighth victory of the season as Kansas earned its series-opening victory, 10-3 over Missouri Friday night at Hoglund Ballpark.

Kansas improves to 27-19-1 overall and 8-10-1 in Big 12 play, while the Tigers fall to 24-20 and 7-11 in the conference. The Jayhawks move into a virtual tie with Texas A&M for sixth in the league after action Friday.

Junior ace Walz won his third-straight start to improve to 8-3 on the season. The third-year pitcher scattered three runs on five hits over seven innings with two walks and six strikeouts. It was his team-leading seventh quality start this year.

Walz saved his best Houdini act for his final inning. Trailing 8-3, Missouri loaded the bases against Walz with nobody out on an error, a single to left and a four-pitch walk to Jonah Schmidt. However, the junior pitcher quickly recovered, getting Ryan Ampleman and Michael Liberto to pop out and then struck out Ryan Gebhart to keep the lead at five.

Also for the third-straight week, Walz’ offense gave him plenty of support. KU scored five runs in the first three innings and never looked back. The Jayhawks loaded the bases in the first and scored two runs on a fielder’s choice and an RBI single by Jimmy Waters.

In the second, Brett Lisher hit his second home run of the season following a James Stanfield single to give KU a 4-1 edge. The Jayhawks also added two more runs in the fourth on RBI hits from Brian Heere and Waters.

KU pounded 19 hits in the game, including 14 off Missouri starting pitcher Nick Tepesch. Eight of the nine starters in the Jayhawk lineup collected a base hit, while six of them recorded multi-hit games. Thompson and Macias both matched career highs with four hits, while Brian Heere collected three base knocks to raise his season average to .403.

Kansas will look to take the series from the Tigers Saturday in a 6 p.m. contest at Hoglund Ballpark.