April 14, 2007
Box Score |
Quotes
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Ben Booker's sixth-inning RBI single broke a 2-2 tie, and Baylor tacked on three insurance runs in the ninth for a 6-2 victory over Kansas in Saturday's Big 12 Conference series opener at Hoglund Ballpark. Baylor (20-16, 5-8) snapped an eight-game losing streak in Big 12 road games with the victory. Kansas (18-21, 4-9) dropped to 1-4 this season in Big 12 series openers.
The win was Baylor's first Big 12 road victory since defeating Missouri 5-4 in the second game of a three-game series April 29, 2006. The Bears also snapped a six-game losing streak in Saturday games; Baylor last won a Saturday game Feb. 24, defeating Oral Roberts 12-7.
Jeff Mandel (5-5) was strong in earning his first career victory on an opponent's home field. He allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits and two walks with six strikeouts over 7.0 innings. William Draper and Nick Cassavechia pitched perfect eighth and ninth innings, respectively, each recording two strikeouts.
Kansas starter Nick Czyz (2-6) was saddled with the loss; he surrendered three runs on eight hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 5.0-plus innings, facing one batter in the sixth.
Hansen led off the fifth with a double down the line in left, and Raynor Campbell followed with his second bunt single of the day to put runners on the corners. An errant pickoff throw allowed Hansen to score and Campbell to reach third. Beamer Weems, who returned to action after missing four games due to injury, followed with an RBI double down the left-field line.
Kansas answered with a pair of sacrifice flies in the bottom of the inning; however, the tie did not last long. Matt Czimskey led off the top of the sixth with a double down the left-field line and moved to third on a wild pitch. Booker followed with a single through the left side of a drawn-in infield.
Shaver Hansen's two-run triple capped the three-run ninth, giving the Bears breathing room.
Eight of Baylor's nine starters collected at least one hit, and all nine reached safely. Campbell enjoyed his first career four-hit game, and Hansen had three hits.
Baylor and Kansas conclude their three-game series Sunday with a doubleheader at 11 a.m. The Bears will send two right-handers to the mound - junior Randall Linebaugh (2-4, 4.65 ERA) in the first game and freshman Kendal Volz (4-1, 5.35 ERA) in the second game. Kansas will counter with two southpaws - junior Zach Ashwood (3-3, 6.08 ERA) in the first game and sophomore Andy Marks (3-3, 6.98 ERA) in the second game.
NOTES: Baylor leads the all-time series 32-4, including a 13-3 advantage in games played at Lawrence. The Bears are 27-4 against the Jayhawks since the inception of the Big 12 Conference. ... Chase Gerdes played in his 84th career Big 12 game, tying Kevin Sevigny (2003-06) for 10th all-time at Baylor. ... Cassavechia's relief appearance was the 50th of his career, tying Justin Taylor (1999-2002) for 10th in Baylor history. ... Weems (five games), Gerdes (four games), Booker (three games) and Hansen (three games) all extended hitting streaks.
