April 3, 2009
Box Score
LAWRENCE, Kan. - Dustin Dickerson's two-run single through the right side of a drawn-in infield broke a 6-6 tie and gave No. 7 Baylor an 8-6 victory over Kansas in Friday night's Big 12 Conference series opener at Hoglund Ballpark. Baylor (19-7, 6-4) posted its sixth last-at-bat victory of the season. Kansas (17-11, 3-4) suffered its first loss at home in 15 games this season.
Baylor trailed 6-5 entering the ninth, but scored three runs on three hits and a pair of Kansas errors. Ben Booker opened the frame with a single just inside the third-base line and took second when Kansas shortstop David Narodowski misplayed the ball in foul territory. Kenton Gedwed followed with a pinch-hit RBI single up the middle; it was Gedwed's first career hit in a Big 12 game.
Don Lambert then lay down a sacrifice bunt, on which KU pitcher Paul Smyth tried to get pinch-runner Brooks Pinckard at second. However, Smyth's throw sailed into right-center, putting runners at second and third with no outs. Two batters later, Dickerson lined a 2-2 Smyth offering between two diving fielders on the right side of the infield for a one-out single. The hit extended Dickerson's hitting streak to 12 games, a career-long streak.
Aaron Miller (2-0) worked around a one-out single in the bottom of the ninth to close the game and earn the victory in relief. Miller held Kansas scoreless on four hits and no walks with five strikeouts over 4.0 innings.
Smyth (1-5) took the loss, allowing three runs - two earned - on three hits with two strikeouts in 1.0 inning. It was the fifth blown save of the season for Smyth.
Kansas took an early lead on Buck Afenir's first-inning, two-run single. Baylor quickly answered with a four-run second. Miller and Adam Hornung opened the inning with consecutive singles, and Miller scored on a Joey Hainsfurther groundout. Dan Evatt followed with an RBI single, and Gregg Glime was hit by a pitch. Don Lambert then singled to center, scoring Evatt; however, KU centerfielder Jason Brunansky misplayed the ball, allowing Glime to score from first.
Baylor pushed its lead to 5-2 in the third when Shaver Hansen doubled with one out and scored on Hornung's two-out single. Kansas got a run back in the third on Nick Faunce's sacrifice fly. The Jayhawks recaptured the lead in the fifth, scoring three runs on two hits and three walks. The tying run scored on a wild pitch, and Faunce followed with a go-ahead RBI single.
The Bears' ninth-inning rally got starter Kendal Volz off the hook. Volz allowed six runs on six hits and seven walks with five strikeouts over 4.2 innings. It was the first time since March 28, 2008, at Oklahoma that Volz did not pitch into the sixth inning other than last year's Texas game when he left after 3.0 innings due to injury. His seven walks were a career high; five of the seven walks came with no outs and all five of those scored.
Raynor Campbell was 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles, while Hornung was 2-for-3 with a walk.
Baylor and Kansas continue the series Saturday with a 2 p.m. CDT first pitch at Hoglund Ballpark. The Bears send right-hander Logan Verrett (7-0, 2.25 ERA) to the mound, while the Jayhawks counter with right-hander T.J. Walz (2-0, 3.90 ERA).
NOTES: Baylor leads the all-time series 37-5, including a 31-5 advantage in regular-season Big 12 meetings. The Bears are 15-4 all-time at Lawrence, all of which has come during the Big 12 era. €¦ Baylor is 32-5 against Kansas during head coach Steve Smith's tenure. €¦ Hansen (eight games), Hornung (four games) and Gedwed (three games) all extended hitting streaks.
