Jayhawks Drop Series Opener to Missouri, 8-0
May 13, 2005
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Jayhawk bats were silent on Friday night, collecting only two hits, as the University of Kansas baseball team fell to Border Showdown rival Missouri, 8-0, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo.
With the loss, KU’s overall record drops to 33-24 with an 8-13 mark in Big 12 play, while the Tigers improve to 33-16 overall and 13-9 in league action.
The Jayhawks threatened to score twice in the early innings, but could not break the ice in the contest. KU left five runners on base in the second and third innings — including a one-out bases loaded situation in the third frame.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Tigers were finally able to break through, plating four runs to take a 4-0 lead. Missouri collected two hits in the frame and was able to take advantage of a pair of Jayhawk errors.
Missouri was able to tack a run onto its lead in the home half of the sixth with a RBI single from shortstop Gary Arndt.
KU starting pitcher Sean Land (5-5) took the loss despite his second consecutive solid outing. The Greenwood, Mo., native pitched 5 2/3 innings in the contest and allowed two earned runs on six hits. Land also tied a career-high with six strikeouts.
The Tigers were able to push across three insurance runs in the eighth inning against KU reliever Tyson Corley, pressing their advantage to 8-0.
In the loss, KU junior first baseman Jared Schweitzer saw his school-record 24-game hitting streak snapped as he took a 0-for-2 day at the plate. Schweitzer also drew two walks in the ball game.
Kansas and Missouri will continue the three-game series on Saturday with a 2 p.m. match-up at Taylor Stadium. The Jayhawks will send senior lefty Mike Zagurski (6-4) to the mound to oppose Tiger left-hander Nathan Culp (7-1) as they attempt the even the series at one game apiece.
