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PAGE 6
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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Undefeated Jayhawks sweep Snowbird Classic
BEN FELDERSTEIN
sports@kansan.com
Another big two-out hit saw the Jayhawks grabbing the lead in the fifth inning of Saturday's game. Junior outfielder Connor McKay drove home two with a triple to right-center.
"Connor had a great approach," coach Ritch Price said. "He was in a two-strike, two-out count, stayed short and really drove the ball to right field."
The Jayhawks swept the Snowbird Classic with their 9-4 victory over St. Bonaventure on Saturday. Junior right-handed pitcher Drew Morovick got the start for Kansas. Morovick打 five innings and surrendered two earned runs while striking out 10. This victory brought Kansas to an overall 8-0 record.
The Bonnies took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the fourth, when junior designated hitter Dakota Smith drove in fellow junior outfielder Michael Suiter with a double to left-center to tie up the game.
Kansas got on board early, when junior infielder Justin Protacio scored on a wild pitch. The Bonnies grabbed the lead in the top half of the third inning on a couple of base hits and a throwing error.
A couple of base hits, a groundout and an error later found the Bonnies atop the Jayhawks in the top of the fifth. The Jayhawks answered quickly, putting a three spot up in their half of the fifth, securing the lead for a final time.
Mckay's triple put Kansas up one and Smith drove in McKay with a single to left to put Kansas up 5-3.
Smith came on to pitch in the top of the sixth. He was
looking strong on the hill, striking out the side in his first inning of work. He continued strongly the rest of the game, only surrendering an unearned run due to errors.
"It's a little difficult having to designated hit and pitch." Smith said. "But I did get the chance to warm up while the guys were on the field."
Sophomore infielder Ryan Pidhaichuk belted his first home run of the season in the sixth inning, extending the Kansas lead to 6-3.
"I felt great at the plate," Pidhaichuk said. "I waited for a pitch I could hit and stayed disciplined."
"It's easy when everyone in front of you is getting on base," Tharp said. "It's really exciting to watch and be apart of."
Kansas was able to extend its lead in the seventh inning. Junior infielder Aaron Hernandez drove home Suiter with an RBI single, and senior outfielder Tucker Tharp followed up with a two-RBI double of his own, driving in Hernandez and McKay.
Freshmen right-handed pitchers Stephen Villines and Sean Rackoski finished the game for the Jayhawks on the mound giving up no runs in the final two innings of the game.
The Jayhawks continued their trend of clutch hitting with runners in scoring position. Kansas only left five runners on base the entire game, compared to St. Bonaventure's 10 runners.
"Everyone is starting to click," Smith said. "We've been working the count, getting into the bullpen and winning games."
Edited by Emily Hines
TARA BRYANT/KANSAN FILE PHOTO Junior catcher Ka'iana Eldredge slides into home base to score on April 13, 2013 at Hoglund Ballpark. The Jayhawks swept the Snowbird Classic with a 9-4 victory over St. Bonaventure on Saturday. The victory brought Kansas to an overall 8-0 record.
TARA BRYANT/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
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