Kansas pulls away with four runs in the fifth
Freshman Jimmy Waters scored his first homerun for KU.
A big fifth inning was crucial for Kansas' victory at Hoglund Ballpark.
By Tyler Passmore (Contact)
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008
Photo by Weston White
Freshman third baseman Tony Thompson fields a high bouncing ground ball which went for the third out of the inning. Kansas defeated Chicago State University 6-4 Tuesday afternoon at Hoglund Ballpark.
With the Jayhawk bats remaining stagnate for four innings and a 2-1 score looming on the Hoglund Ballpark board, the boys in crimson and blue blew the door open Tuesday against Chicago State. The Kansas baseball team relied on a big fifth inning in which they hung four runs with two outs. After the first two Kansas batters of the inning were retired, freshman designated hitter Jimmy Waters sent a shot over the right center field wall. Waters, who has had limited playing time throughout the year, broke out with a 2-2 day with a homerun, single and a walk that raised his average to .200 on the year. “Beginning of the year, I was just pushing and trying too hard to help the team.” Jimmy Waters said. “The games I’ve been sitting out made me realize I need to settle in my role, and today I just went out there relaxed and let the game come to me.” After senior centerfielder Casey Larson lined a single into left field, sophomore second baseman Robby Price added his second hit of the day moving Larson to second. With runners on first and second, red shirt senior left fielder John Allman sent a screamer to right center scoring both runners and giving him 21 RBI’s on the year. Following his three-hit game on Sunday against Northwestern, Allman went 2-2 with two doubles and raised his season average to .349. With three runs in the inning, junior catcher Buck Afenir was the next to the plate and found his way to first base being struck by a fastball. Senior shortstop Ryne Price was the next Jayhawk to step to the dish, and with runners on first and third became the second Price in the inning to do damage, singling to center field and scoring Allman. Ryne continued to remain hot from behind the plate since breaking the Kansas career home run record in the UMBC game last Friday in Bradenton, Fla. The Jayhawks big inning would prove to be enough, as the five runs on four hits would stand in the Jayhawks 6-4 victory.
— Edited by Patrick De Oliveira
Discussion
All comments are moderated by Kansan.com staff. For our full user policy, click here.
Share your 2¢
Requires free registration.