College Station, Texas ? Texas A&M slapped a school-record 11 doubles and pounded out 16 hits, enough to slip past the Kansas University baseball squad, 12-9, Saturday at Olsen Field.
Jayhawk starter Ryan Knippschild allowed four Aggie runs in the first inning, but KU bounced back with six in the second.
The Aggies’ offense was relentless, however, as A&M scored twice in the third and fifth, three times in the sixth and once in the seventh. KU tried to rally with two in the fifth and one in the seventh, but it wasn’t enough.
A&M’s Justin Ruggiano had a huge game, doubling four times and adding a triple in a 5-for-5 performance. He scored four runs and had three RBIs.
Freshman Don Czyz (2-4) picked up the loss in relief of Knippschild. Czyz entered in the sixth and allowed three runs on three hits and one walk.
Senior Casey Spanish was the offensive standout for the Jayhawks, going 2-for-3 with a run and three RBIs. Junior Ryan Baty added two RBIs and senior Kevin Wheeler was 2-for-4 with two runs.
The Jayhawks and Aggies will conclude their three-game series at 1 p.m. today. Right hander Chris Smart (1-4) will start for KU.
Kansas 060 020 100 — 9 13 0
Texas A&M 402 023 10x — 12 16 1
W — Logan Kensing (6-5). L — Don Czyz (2-4). Sv — Dwayne Pollok (1).
2B — KU: Matt Tribble, Casey Spanish; Texas A&M: Erik Schindewolf, Cliff Pennington, Cory Patton, Justin Ruggiano 4, Scott Beerer, Eric Scheidt, Justin Pouk, Brian Bowe. 3B — A&M: Ruggiano. HR — A&M: Beerer.
KU highlights: Ritchie Price 2-for-5, RBI; Ryan Baty, 1-for-5, 2 RBIs; Kevin Wheeler 2-for-4, 2 runs; Casey Spanish 2-for-3, run, 3 RBIs.