Richard Gwin/Journal-World PhotoMuch like the sudden success of the No. 17 Kansas University baseball team, Friday’s 2-1 victory over Oral Roberts was improbable.
The Jayhawks managed just three hits through eight innings. Despite a fabulous outing by starting pitcher Kevin Wheeler, KU trailed, 1-0, with three outs to go.
Four singles and two runs later, KU (17-5) was celebrating one of its most dramatic victories of the season in front of 1,009 excited fans at Hoglund Ballpark.
“It shows the character of our team,” KU outfielder Casey Spanish said. “We try to find a way to get it done, and mentally, we don’t give up.”
Fortunately for Kansas, the heart of the lineup batted in the do-or-die ninth. Junior Ryan Baty led off with a single to right field, and, two batters later, junior Matt Tribble singled.
That brought up Spanish, KU’s hottest hitter.
The senior delivered, poking a single past ORU pitcher Dallas Martin, bringing in Baty and putting the winning run, Tribble, in scoring position.
It was Spanish’s third hit of the game, giving him four three-hit games in the last eight days.
Sophomore Travis Metcalf advanced the runners to second and third with a sacrifice fly to left, then senior Sean Flynn hit a sharp infield single off Martin’s glove, scoring Tribble.
“I was hoping it had enough on it to get through,” Flynn said. “Luckily, it did.”
It was the Jayhawks’ 12th victory in their last 14 games, further solidifying their legitimacy as Big 12 Conference play draws closer. The Jayhawks will play at Missouri next weekend.
Wheeler pitched a complete game, striking out seven and making just one mistake — a first-inning home run to Oral Roberts catcher David Castillo.
With ORU’s ace, Rene Recio, on the mound, giving up one run was reason for KU to be concerned.
Last season, Recio threw a one-hit shutout against the Jayhawks and was in similar form Friday. He worked five innings, striking out five and giving up just two hits. Because of back problems, he was replaced by Justin Ramsey in the bottom of the sixth.
“Usually, we feel like we have to score five to win,” Price said. “Their set-up guy did a nice job, and the guy that came in late did a nice job. It was just a well-played college baseball game.”
Kansas didn’t meet its five-run quota, but Wheeler’s solid outing made two runs enough. With the win, Wheeler improved to 4-0 with a 2.98 ERA on the year.
“The only reason we had a chance to win it in the ninth was because of Wheeler,” Price said. “He gives up a home run in the first inning, and then has eight zeros after that.”
Oral Roberts (5-8) will play host to the final two games of the series at 4 p.m. today and 1 p.m. Sunday in Tulsa, Okla.
Oral Roberts 100 000 000 — 1 5 0
Kansas 000 000 002 — 2 7 1
W — Kevin Wheeler (4-0). L — Dallas Martin (0-3).
HR — ORU: David Castillo (2).
KU highlights: Casey Spanish 3-for-4, RBI, SB (8); Ryan Baty 2-for-3, run; Kevin Wheeler, 9 IP, 1 ER, 7 K.
