Saturday, May 27, 2006
Our earlier story:
Six must be the new lucky number for Kansas Athletics.
Two weeks after the sixth seeded Kansas softball team won its first ever Big 12 Tournament title, sixes were wild again in Oklahoma City.
The sixth seeded Kansas baseball team swept through the Big 12 Tournament, defeating No. 14 Nebraska (8-2) Sunday. Kansas also defeated two other ranked teams, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, on its way to its first postseason tournament title.
With the win, Kansas earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. It’s the program’s first appearance since 1994.
Kansas scored first in the top of the second inning. Designated hitter Brock Simpson walked with two out in the inning. First baseman Preston Land was also walked, moving Simpson to second base. Catcher Buck Afenir’s single scored Simpson, giving Kansas the 1-0 lead and moved Land to second. Center fielder Matt Baty struck out to end the inning.
The Jayhawks struck again, scoring four runs in the next inning. Third baseman Erik Morrison scored two runs on a single up the middle of the infield. Shortstop Ritchie Price and Morrison scored Kansas’ two other runs in the inning.
Left fielder John Allman and Simpson each scored a run for Kansas in the fifth inning. Second baseman Jared Schweitzer homered to left field in the sixth to give Kansas an 8-2 lead.
The Jayhawks extended that lead to 9-2 on an error by Husker centerfielder Bryce Nimmo.Nebraska kept its hopes alive in the bottom of the 8th with a two-run home run by shortstop Ryan Wehrle, making it a 9-4 game. Jayhawk starter Kodiak Quick entered the game in relief following the home run. Nebraska right fielder Andrew Brown scored on a single from catcher Jeff Christy, setting the score at 9-5 entering the ninth inning.
Nebraska scored one more on a single up the middle of the infield followed by another single to left field. Designated hitter Andy Gerch kept the rally alive with a single to left, making the score 9-7. First team All-Big 12 closer Don Czyz entered the game with no warm-up session to close the game out. Czyz fell behind with a 2-0 count, but on his third pitch to Jake Opitz, forced Opitz into a groundout.
Starting pitcher Nick Czyz went five and one-third innings giving up two runs off three hits and struck out four batters. His older brother Don earned his 18th save of the season.
"Don has been incredible for us all year." said second baseman Jared Schweitzer
Starting pitcher Nick Czyz went five and one-third innings giving up two runs off three hits and struck out four batters.
Kansas’ NCAA Tournament opponent will be announced Monday at 11:30 a.m. on ESPN.
Notes:
-Second baseman Ryne Price didn’t play in Sunday’s game. He was serving the first of a two game suspension issued by the Big 12 for his actions in an altercation during Kansas’ win against Missouri on Saturday. If Kansas qualifies for the NCAA Tournament, Ryne Price will also miss the first game.
-Kansas’ 42 wins on the season ranks second most in program history. The record is 45 wins, set back in 1994.
-Nebraska pitching coach Dave Bingham coached Kansas’ 1994 team, which advanced to the NCAA College World Series.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.
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