Suiter’s Career Day Not Enough, KU Falls to Bears, 6-5

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Junior left fielder Michael Suiter’s career-high five hits and perfection at the plate (5-for-5) couldn’t outlast a late ninth-inning KU error, as the Kansas baseball team fell to Missouri State, 6-5, Wednesday evening at Hoglund Ballpark.
 
With the middle of the lineup recording just two hits in their last 22 at bats, Suiter clutched-up to pace the Jayhawks’ (23-20, 6-9 Big 12) offense with five hits and two RBIs, and helped Kansas take a two-run lead over the Bears (18-19, 6-6 MVC) into the ninth inning. However, KU’s closer, freshman Stephen Villines (1-2), gave up two runs off three-straight hits before sophomore third baseman Colby Wright booted a ground ball to score the final and go-ahead run of the ninth for Missouri State, 6-5.
 
“Obviously he [Suiter] hasn’t been as good as he has been the last few weeks,” head coach Ritch Price said. “The 5-for-5 performance he had tonight and the RBI he had in the eighth to make it a two-run lead, you feel really good because it gives you the two-run cushion. I thought it was a huge RBI-double in the eighth and quite honestly, I thought it would slam the door for us.”
 
Suiter’s five hits in the game was a first for the Jayhawks since senior catcher Ka’iana Eldredge accomplished the same feat in 2012 against Southern Utah (March 21).
 
Though Suiter’s perfection at the plate highlighted a rough night for the Jayhawks, freshman Michael Tinsley’s pinch-hit double in the sixth inning gave life to a struggling offense when he scorched the ball over MSU centerfielder Tate Matheny’s head to drive in two runs and give Kansas the lead, 3-2.
 
“It changed the whole complexion of the game,” Price said. “I mean we have an opportunity to take the lead with a clutch hit and when he rails the ball over the centerfielder’s head … It was nice to see him drive one through the wind, he is going to be a big time player for us.”
 
Tinsley’s double sparked a KU rally in the bottom half of the sixth for three runs. Junior designated hitter Dakota Smith led off with a walk and junior first baseman Blair Beck followed with a single through the left side. Then with one out, junior shortstop Justin Protacio singled to load the bases for Tinsley, who scorched the pinch-hit two-run double over Matheny’s head in center. Suiter’s RBI-single followed to put the Jayhawks on top, 4-2.
 
Both teams added a run in the eighth inning before Missouri State rallied for three runs in the ninth to steal the victory from the Kanas, 6-5. Villines got the quick foul out before giving up three-straight hits to tie the game up, 5-5. He then induced the ground ball, which was misplayed by Wright at third and kicked into the outfield, allowing the go-ahead run to score and seal the fate for KU.
 
Kansas recorded 13 hits on the night highlighted by multiple-hit efforts by Suiter (5-for-5), Protacio (3-for4) and Beck (2-for-4). Suiter and Tinsley also added two RBIs apiece, while Eldredge added one of his own in the loss.
 
The Jayhawks are back on the diamond Friday, April 25 to start a three-game conference series against Baylor at Baylor Ballpark. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. and can be seen on Fox Sports-Plus.
 
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