Walz Enjoys Historic Night, Jayhawks Rout Alabama A&M, 14-4

May 13, 2011

Postgame Interviews:Walz

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

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Kansas senior right-handed pitcher T.J. Walz tallied his 300th career strikeout and earned his 26th career win – which matches the KU school record – Friday night as the Jayhawks trounced non-conference foe Alabama A&M, 14-4, on a chilly night at Hoglund Ballpark.

The Jayhawks improve to 23-27 overall, while the Bulldogs fall to 10-34.

Walz tallied career strikeout No. 300 for the first out in the seventh inning, when he fanned catcher Chris Thomas on four pitches. The senior became the first Jayhawk and just the 10th pitcher in Big 12 history to record 300 K’s in a career.

Walz also matched KU’s career record for wins with 26, tying Jim Phillips, who pitched for the Jayhawks from 1980-83. The current KU ace now owns the school’s high marks in career strikeouts (301), innings pitched (322 1/3) and games started (49) and is tied for first in wins.

The senior earned the milestone win on a night when he didn’t have his best stuff. Walz allowed four runs on six hits over seven innings in a game shorted due to the 10-run rule. However, the Jayhawk offense bailed him out.

Kansas scored 14 runs in the game using nine hits and 11 walks to overpower the Bulldogs. Freshman second baseman Ka’iana Eldredge led the charge with a solo home run in the second inning and a two-run double in the fifth.

Senior Jimmy Waters hit his team-leading sixth round-tripper with a two-run shot to right center, which hit half-way up the light pole beyond the fence. Waters’ homer was part of a four-run inning for KU.

The Jayhawks scored in all seven innings, including a three-run first. It marked the fifth-straight game that the team has scored in the opening inning.

KU and Alabama A&M will meet in a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon beginning at 2 p.m. at Hoglund Ballpark.

Big 12 Career Strikeout Leaders

1. Shane Komine, Nebraska (1999-2002) – 510

2. Casey Fossum, Texas A&M (1997-99) – 404

3. Jason Jennings, Baylor (1997-99) – 377

4. Monty Ward, Texas Tech (1996-98) – 356

5. Matt Smith, Oklahoma State (1998-2000) – 348

6. Mark Roberts, Oklahoma (2001-04) – 338

7. Taylor Jungman, Texas (2008-present) – 320*

Stephen White, Baylor (2000-03) – 320

9. Kyle Gibson, Missouri (2007-09) – 304

10. T.J. Walz, Kansas (2008-present) – 301

*- Total entering Friday evening

Kansas Career Wins

1. T.J. Walz (2008-present) – 26

Jim Phillips (1980-83) – 26

3. Jamie Splittorff (1993-95) – 23

Jimmy Walker (1990-93) – 23

5. Chris Corn (1991-94) – 22

Terry Sutcliffe (1977-79) – 22

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