Jayhawks Rally to Stun Missouri, 9-8

May 8, 2010

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

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Coach Price Postgame

Murray Postgame

Junior Tony Thompson and senior Robby Price each collected three hits and three RBIs, while sophomore relief pitcher Colton Murray pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings as Kansas overcame an early five-run deficit to knock off Missouri, 9-8 in a Big 12 baseball game Saturday at Hoglund Ballpark.

The Jayhawks earn their third Big 12 series victory of the season, and first over Missouri since 2006. KU improves to 28-19-1 overall and 9-10-1 in the Big 12. With the victory, Kansas moves into sole possession of fifth place in the league standings with seven conference games to play. MU falls to 24-21 overall and 7-14 in league play.

Kansas trailed 6-1 after the top of the fourth, but responded with six runs in the bottom of the inning to grab the lead. Thompson had the big hit in the inning, a two-run double with the bases loaded, which brought KU back to within one. Casey Lytle followed with an RBI single that brought home Brian Heere and Thompson after the ball was misplayed by the Missouri right fielder.

After the Tigers fought back with two runs in the top of the sixth to tie the score at eight, Kansas scored what proved to be the winning run on a sacrifice fly by Heere in the seventh. Junior Brett Lisher led off the frame with a double, and then moved to third on a sacrifice by Brandon Macias. Heere then delivered the winning run with a deep fly to right field.

Murray earned his first win of the season, pitching 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. The sophomore, who took a loss in the rubber game at Missouri last season, allowed one hit and one walk with three strikeouts.

Murray entered the game with two outs and the go-ahead run on second and induced a ground out off the bat of Jonah Schmidt to end the threat. He finished his night striking out Dane Opel and Andrew Thigpen to put the final exclamation point on his pitching performance.

KU’s offense clubbed 16 hits in the game, including three-hit nights by Lisher, Price and Thompson. Lisher’s three-hit game was his first since going 3-for-5 against Texas on April 9.

The Jayhawks will look for their first three-game sweep of Missouri since 1994 on Sunday in the series finale at Hoglund Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.