Jayhawks Fall Short against No. 14 Missouri
May 9, 2008
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Freshman Tony Thompson had three hits Friday, while John Allman and Erik Morrison had two hits a piece, but it was not enough. Missouri starting pitcher Aaron Crow allowed two unearned runs over seven innings, while the Tigers’ bullpen worked out of trouble in the eighth and ninth innings to earn a 5-3 triumph over Kansas at Hoglund Ballpark.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The win is the first by a visiting team at Hoglund since Wichita State earned a non-conference triumph on April 1. The 14th-ranked Tigers improve to 33-16 overall and 12-10 in the Big 12, while KU drops to 29-23 and 8-14 in conference play.
KU had chances late in the game, but could only score one run off the Missouri bullpen, despite five base runners. The Jayhawks left the tying run on base in the eighth inning, and the winning run on first in the bottom of the ninth.
Senior John Allman doubled with two outs in the inning and advanced to third on back-to-back free passes by Buck Afenir and Ryne Price. However, MU relief pitcher Kyle Gibson fanned Morrison on a 3-2 pitch with the bases loaded to end the game.
MU led throughout much of the contest, except for a KU breakthrough against Crow in the third.
After allowing an unearned run in the top of the third, KU took a lead on Crow in the bottom of the third. After a Tony Thompson single and a Robby Price walk, catcher Buck Afenir reached on a throwing error, which allowed both runners to score with two outs.
MU regained the lead on an Aaron Senne RBI ground out and an infield single by Trevor Coleman, which also brought home a run. The Tigers stretched it to 4-2 on a solo home run by Jonah Schmidt in the top of the sixth, while Ryan Lollis’ sacrifice fly in the eighth made it a 5-3 Missouri lead.
Down, but not out, KU fought back to within 5-3 in the eighth. The middle of the Jayhawks’ order greeted relief pitcher Nick Tespesch with three consecutive singles, including an RBI base knock by Morrison. However, Ryan Allen came on to retire the final three Jayhawks quietly in the eighth.
With two outs in the ninth, KU threaten again, but Missouri’s Gibson recorded the final out with a strikeout.
The Jayhawks will look to even the series Saturday with a 6 p.m. game against Missouri at Hoglund Ballpark.
