College Station, Texas ? Kansas University wasted a solid outing by right-hander Chris Smart, dropping its third straight baseball game to Texas A&M, 5-4 in 10 innings, Sunday afternoon at Olsen Field.
The Jayhawks (34-24 overall, 8-16 Big 12 Conference) lost in extra innings for the second time in three games against the Aggies (39-13, 17-7).
After Texas A&M scored a run in the bottom of the first inning, KU catcher Sean Flynn continued his sizzling hitting in the top of the second by drilling his fourth homer of the season to give the Jayhawks a 2-1 lead.
The Aggies pulled even in the bottom of the third at 2-all, but KU first baseman Ryan Baty responded with a line-drive, two-out single to score Flynn.
Texas A&M scored an unearned run in the fifth to tie the game again, then Aggie shortstop Matt Alexander drove a sacrifice fly to center field for a 4-3 A&M advantage.
Kansas bounced back to score an unearned run in the top of the seventh for a 4-all deadlock. But A&M, which won in 11 innings on a solo home run Friday night, completed the three-game sweep of KU with a run in the bottom of the 10th.
The Jayhawks threatened in the top half of the inning, placing runners at first and second with nobody out, but failed to push across the go-ahead run. Texas A&M closer Scott Beerer struck out Matt Tribble, Casey Spanish and Travis Metcalf.
Smart (1-5) suffered his fifth loss of the season despite keeping the Aggies at bay much of the game. He allowed five runs (three earned) and 10 hits in a career-high 92/3 innings.
The Jayhawks travel Friday to Manhattan to take on Sunflower State rival Kansas State. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. KU closes the home portion of its schedule May 17-18, playing host to the Wildcats.
Should KU qualify, the Big 12 tournament runs May 21-15 in Oklahoma City.
