Jayhawks Wrap Up Big 12 Championship with 6-3 Loss to Baylor
May 29, 2010
Box Score in PDF Format 
Postgame Press Conference
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. –
Senior Robby Price, junior Tony Thompson and sophomore Chris Manship each collected a pair base hits, but it was not enough. Baylor shortstop Landis Ware hit a two-run homer as part of a three-run sixth inning, which proved to be the difference in the Bears’ 6-3 triumph over Kansas Saturday evening at Bricktown Ballpark.
Kansas ends the tournament with a 31-27-1 overall record, dropping its final six games of the season. Baylor improves to 34-21 overall, and 3-0 in pool play. The Bears will face Texas A&M in the Big 12 Championship game Sunday at 1 p.m.
On Saturday night, Baylor broke out to a 6-0 lead on the strength of Ware’s two hits and four RBIs, including a two-run homer to greet relief pitcher Thomas Taylor in the top of the sixth.
However, in the bottom half of the inning, KU came back with three runs to cut the deficit in half. The Jayhawks collected four-straight singles, including one by Price with men on first and second, which brought home a pair of runs after Baylor’s Don Lambert misplayed the ball in center field.
The Jayhawks tacked on another run when Jimmy Waters grounded into a fielder’s choice with Price on third base to make it a 6-3 game.
However, KU could not close the deficit any further despite putting men on in all of the final three innings.
The Jayhawks outhit the Bears 12-8, but hit into four double plays, which tied a Big 12 Championship record. KU brought the tying run to the plate in both the seventh and the ninth, but Baylor pitcher Joey Hainsfurther earned his first save of the season by stranding four base runners.
Freshman Tanner Poppe took the loss, allowing five runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings, with four walks and four strikeouts. Fellow freshman Taylor pitched well in relief after allowing the home run to Ware. Taylor pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits with two strikeouts. Senior Travis Blankenship recorded the final two outs to close out his KU career.
The Jayhawks will learn the fate of the rest of their season on Monday, May 31 during the NCAA Selection Show, which will be carried live on ESPN at 11:30 a.m. CST.
