Jared Soares/Journal-World PhotoAndy Scholl leads Kansas University’s baseball team in strikeouts. Scholl struck out in his first at-bat Friday night.
So much for foreshadowing.
Scholl, a junior outfielder, homered and singled twice, driving in three runs as KU overhauled Kansas State, 5-3, in Big 12 Conference baseball at Hoglund Ballpark.
“I strike out and get three hits after that,” said Scholl, a transfer from Lamar, Colo., CC. “Funny how it pans out.”
KU coach Ritch Price doesn’t like all the whiffs, of course, but Scholl’s K’s have been counterbalanced by timely hitting.
“He has a lot of strikeouts,” Price said, “but he’s getting clutch hits.”
Scholl’s solo homer off the hitter’s background in center field forged a 1-1 deadlock in the fourth. Then with the score tied at 3-3 in the seventh, Scholl rocketed a two-run single up the middle to plate the two decisive runs.
“I’m facing a lot better guys than I did in junior college, especially in the Big 12,” Scholl said. “It’s taken awhile to get my swing. It’s felt good the last couple of weeks.”
By going 3-for-4, the left-handed hitter boosted his batting average from .291 to .300.
Kansas bashed 14 hits against four K-State hurlers, but stranded 11 runners. K-State collected six hits and six walks against three KU hurlers, and the Jayhawks committed four unsightly errors.
“I was frustrated with leaving men on base,” Price said, “but I was more frustrated with our defense. We made two awful plays to set up two runs.”
Second baseman Jared Schweitzer booted a potential doubleplay grounder in the first, and that led to a run. Later, one of two errors by third baseman Travis Metcalf, accounted for another unearned run.
Starter Mike Zagurski went 5 1/3 innings, surrendering all three K-State runs.
“I felt bad for Mike Zagurski,” Price said. “He could have had a W if we had made those routine plays.”
Late-blooming freshman right-hander Ryotaro Hayakawa pitched 2 1/3 innings of hitless relief to pick up his first college win. Hayakawa, making only his ninth appearance, has developed into the Jayhawks’ most effective reliever. In 16 2/3 innings, Hayakawa has surrendered just eight hits and one earned run. His ERA dipped to a minuscule 0.54.
Price hooked Hayakawa after he walked two batters with two outs in the eighth. Don Czyz finished for his second save.
“Hayakawa is doing the job,” Price said, “and Czyz has become a man.”
The remainder of the three-game series will be played today (7 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m.) in Manhattan. The Jayhawks (29-31-1 overall, 5-19 Big 12) must win at least one of the two contests to escape the conference cellar.
“It’s a pride game now,” Scholl said. “Now it’s trying to be the best team in Kansas.”
Wichita State would argue that, but the Shockers don’t have to play in the Big 12, either.
Kansas State is 26-28 overall and 4-21 in league games.
“I’m glad we got the win,” said Zagurski, whose quality start went unrewarded. “We might be battling for ninth place, but it means more as far as recruiting goes.”
