Lytle Lifts Kansas to Three-Game Sweep of Missouri

May 9, 2010

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LAWRENCE, Kan. –

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Junior Casey Lytle recorded three hits, including the game-winning two-run double in the bottom of the 10th inning as Kansas rallied from a two-run deficit to complete a three-game sweep of Missouri with a 10-9 triumph in 10 innings Sunday at Hoglund Ballpark.

The sweep is the first by a KU team over Missouri since 1994, and improves the Jayhawks to 29-19-1 overall and 10-10-1 in the Big 12, while the Tigers fall to 24-22 overall and 7-13 in conference play.

Kansas trailed by multiple runs twice in the game, and each time came up with three-run innings to foil the Tigers. The second three-run rally came in the bottom of the 10th after Missouri had taken a two run lead on a homer by Jonah Schmidt in the top of the frame.

KU mounted its rally with the middle part of the order as Robby Price worked a leadoff walk and moved to second on a single by Brian Heere. Following a deep fly out off the bat of Tony Thompson, Jimmy Waters hit a hard ground ball to first base that was booted, allowing Price to score and putting the winning run on base.

Lytle lined the second pitch he saw into the gap in right center, which plated Heere and Waters and turned the Kansas dugout into a mosh pit at home plate.

Despite a three-run first inning, Kansas trailed 6-3 after Missouri plated five runs in the top of the fourth. However, the Jayhawks came roaring back on the strength of Robby Price’s three-run homer to right field, which tied the game at six.

Price added a solo homer in the sixth – the first multi-homer day of the senior’s career – giving KU a 7-6 advantage.

However, the Tigers tied the score at seven with a solo homer by Brett Nicholas in the top of the seventh, which forced the game into extra innings.

KU’s offense banged out 13 more hits on Sunday, giving them 37 for the weekend, which matches a season high for a three-game series. Junior Brian Heere led the charge, going 4-for-6 with a double and two runs scored, extending his hitting streak to a career-best 12 games. Heere entered the day tied with Kansas State’s Nick Martini for the Big 12 lead in base hits.

The three-game sweep of Missouri puts KU in sole possession of fifth place in the Big 12 standings, and one-half game behind Oklahoma for fourth, pending the Sooners’ outcome against Oklahoma State Sunday evening.

The Jayhawks have six conference games remaining on their schedule, beginning with a three-game series against Kansas State next weekend. KU will host the first game of the Sunflower Showdown set at 7 p.m. Friday at Hoglund Ballpark.