WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2006
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 9
BASEBALL
First-time champions
Conference title, visit to NCAAs wrap up successful season
BY SHAWN SHROYER
sshroyer@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTWRITER
Six must be the new lucky number for Kansas Athletics.
Two weeks after the sixth seeded Kansas softball team won its first ever Big 12 Tournament title, sixes were wild again in Oklahoma City for the baseball tournament.
The sixth seeded Kansas baseball team swept through the Big 12 Tournament, defeating nationally ranked No. 14 Nebraska (8-2). Kansas also defeated two other ranked teams, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, on its way to its first postseason tournament title.
With the victory, Kansas earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, placed in the Corvallis, Ore., region with Oregon State, Hawaii and Wright State. It was the program's first appearance since 1994.
Kansas scored first in the top of the second inning against Nebraska. Designated hitter Brock Simpson was walked with two outs in the inning.
First baseman Preston Land was also walked, moving Simpson to second base. Catcher Buck Afenir's single scored Simpson, giving Kansas the 1-0 lead and moved Land to second. Center fielder Matt Baty struck out to end the inning.
The Jayhawks struck again, scoring four runs in the next inning. Third baseman Erik Morrison scored two runs on a single up the middle of the infield. Shortstop Ritchie Price and Morrison scored Kansas' two other runs in the inning.
Left fielder John Allman and Simpson each scored a run for Kansas in the fifth inning. Second baseman Jared Schweitzer homered to left field in the sixth to give Kansas an 8-2 lead.
The Jayhawks extended that lead to 9-2 on an error by Husker center fielder Bryce Nimmo. Nebraska kept its hopes alive in the bottom of the 8th with a two-run home run by shortstop Ryan Wehrle, making it a 9-4 game. Jayhawk
With the victory, Kansas earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, placed in the Corvallis, Or., region with Oregon State, Hawaii and Wright State. It was the program's first appearance since 1994.
starter Kodiak Quick entered the game in relief following the home run. Nebraska right fielder Andrew Brown scored on a single from catcher Jeff Christy, setting the score at 9-5 entering the ninth inning.
Nebraska scored one more on a single up the middle of the infield followed by another single to left field. Designated hitter Andy Gerch kept the rally alive with a single to left, making the score 9-7.
First team All-Big 12 closer Don Czyz entered the game with no warm-up session to close the game out. Czyz fell behind with a 2-0 count, but on his third pitch to Jake Opitz, forced Opitz into a ground out.
Starting pitcher Nick Czyz went five and one-third innings giving up two runs off three hits and struck out four batters. His older brother Don earned his 18th save of the season.
"Don has been incredible for us all year," said second baseman Jared Schweitzer
Starting pitcher Nick Czyz went five and one-third innings giving up two runs off three hits and struck out four batters.
Kansas went on to beat Hawaii in its opening round game Friday, but lost to Oregon State the next day.
Despite opening a five-run lead in the elimination game Sunday against Hawaii, the Jayhawks couldn't hold on and their season ended with a 42-25 record.
Still, the team's unlikely run through the Big 12Tournament was enough to make the season a success by most standards.
photos by Jeff Jacobsen/Kansas Athletics
(top to bottom) Senior infielder Matt Baty bumps chests with senior pitcher Don Czyz during their game May 27 against Missouri. The Jayhawks defeated the Tigers, 4-3, and advanced to the Big 12 Tournament finals, where they defeated Nebraska, 9-7, to claim their first Big 12 Tournament championship.
Senior pitcher Don Czyz celebrates during Kansas' matchup with Nebraska in the Big 12 Tournament final. Czyz earned his 18th save of the season with Kansas's 9-7 victory against Nebraska.
Members of the Kansas baseball team gather around its Big 12 Tournament trophy after defeating Nebraska, 9-7, May 28 in Oklahoma City. The victory gave Kansas its first-ever Big 12 Tournament championship in baseball.