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Thompson's heroics not enough for Kansas

By Josh Bowe

Monday, May 11, 2009

If Tony Thompson would have run all the way from his third base position, swooped into the air and robbed Missouri catcher Ryan Ampleman’s walk-off home run on Sunday, and then removed his jersey to see a big red ‘S’ emblem no one in the stadium would of doubted it. At least Kansas fans wouldn’t.

But alas, Thompson is not the real Superman. He certainly is looking like one on the baseball diamond, however, as he almost single-handedly led No. 23 Kansas to a monumental comeback against Missouri on Sunday. The Jayhawks lost the game 13-12 and the series to their boarder rival.

Thompson, sophomore third baseman, finished the series 5-for-14 with two home runs and five RBI to climb within one home run of the single season record of 18 set by former Jayhawk third baseman Travis Metcalf.

If it wasn’t for their 7-4 comeback victory on Saturday, the Jayhawks would have been swept by a Big 12 opponent for just the second time this season.

“Coming back to win today was absolutely huge,” coach Ritch Price said. “We had some great at bats in the middle part of the game and were able to get on top and the bullpen slammed the door.”

But Thompson, like he’s done all season, put the Jayhawks on his shoulders Sunday afternoon.

Kansas entered the top of the ninth trailing 12-7. After freshman infielder James Stanfield scored on a single from sophomore outfielder Brian Heere, Thompson stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and his team down four.

Thompson crushed the 0-1 pitch over the left field wall and Kansas saw life again.

But freshman Colton Murray only retired one hitter in the bottom of the ninth before allowing the walk-off home run to Ryan Ampleman.

After Kansas climbed into the polls to reach No. 24 two weeks ago, it immediately lost its ranking the next week after losing two of three to Texas Tech. The same thing happened this weekend. Kansas dropped out of the top 25 Monday. Its next Big 12 opponent will be No. 11 Kansas State this Friday.

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