No. 23 Kansas Lands 7-4 Triumph over Missouri
May 9, 2009
COLUMBIA, Mo. –
Senior Preston Land’s two-run single in the top of the fifth broke a three-all tie, while David Narodowski and Casey Lytle each had a career high four hits as 23rd-ranked Kansas trumped Missouri, 7-4 Saturday at Taylor Stadium.
The Jayhawk win evens the series at one and powers KU to a 35-17 overall record, including 13-10 in the Big 12. The 13 conference wins is the most for Kansas since going 17-8 in the Big Eight Conference in 1994. MU falls to 29-23 and 15-11 in the Big 12.
KU trailed early, but in the fifth, Narodowski led off with his third home run of the season to tie the game, and then after loading the bases with two outs, Land broke the game open with a two-run single. The senior first baseman has just two hits in three games against Missouri this season, but has five RBIs after hitting a three-run homer against the Tigers on April 22 in Kansas City.
After Missouri’s Greg Folgia brought the Tigers within 5-4 with a leadoff homer in the fifth, the Kansas bullpen slammed the door, allowing no runs on one hit over the final three innings.
Sophomore starting pitcher T.J. Walz picked up his seventh victory of the season, scattering four runs on seven hits with three walks and five strikeouts.
The second-year righty pitched himself into trouble early in the game, but minimized the damage to a two-run homer by Aaron Senne and a sacrifice fly by Folgia.
Including Folgia’s sac fly with one out in the second, Walz allowed just three baserunners over his final 3 2/3 innings.
Kansas meanwhile stayed in the game with single runs in the first and second innings. Narodowski started the game with a double to left center and scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Brian Heere.
Lytle led off the second with a home run to tie the game at two. It was the sophomore’s second homer of the season.
Later in the game, Heere hit a two-run shot to right field, his fourth of the year. During the series, six different Jayhawks have hit home runs.
Senior Paul Smyth allowed a leadoff single in the ninth, but pitched out of trouble to earn his ninth save of the season. His nine saves are the fifth-best single season total in KU history.
The Jayhawks will look to earn their first series victory in Columbia, Mo. since 1983 with the rubber game Sunday at Taylor Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. The game will be carried on KLWN (1320 AM).
