Dominated from the start

By Shawn Shroyer

Friday, March 28, 2008

Sophomore left-hander Wally Marciel got the start in game one of Kansas’ series with Texas A&M and, the good news for him was, he struck out every Texas A&M batter he retired. The bad news for Marciel was, he struck out only one of the 10 batters he faced while he allowed eight runs.

Before Kansas even took its first at-bat, Texas A&M (19-6, 4-3) held an 8-0 advantage. Senior right-hander Andres Esquibel and the Kansas offense tried to make the game competitive, but the Jayhawks (18-10, 1-3) could only make up one of those runs scored on them in the first, losing 13-6.

“One of the worst things that happened today is, we’re down 8-0 and our best guy (Esquibel) is pitching five innings,” Kansas coach Ritch Price said. “If I’d known that was going to take place, obviously, I would have started him.”

After the game, Price said Marciel (2-4) would be moved to the midweek rotation, but didn’t know who would take his spot in the weekend rotation.

“Confidence-wise, I think he needs it,” Price said.

Marciel was finally pulled with just one out in the first inning and replaced by Esquibel. Esquibel was effective, holding the Aggies to just one run in 4.2 innings, striking out two.

Texas A&M had no such problems on the mound. Left-hander Brooks Raley (4-0) started for the Aggies and lasted 6.2 innings, allowing four runs, three earned, while striking out six and earning the victory.

The Jayhawks did manage to find some success on offense, though.

Senior left fielder John Allman continued to swing a hot bat, going 3-for-5 while junior center fielder Nick Faunce, sophomore second baseman Robby Price and freshman third baseman Tony Thompson had two hits apiece. Every player in the starting lineup for Kansas recorded at least one hit.

“Our offense played really well today,” Faunce said. “We’ve been in that hole before over break, so we were just trying to swing out of it.”

Kansas plays game two of its series with Texas A&M Saturday at 2 p.m. at Hoglund Ballpark.

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