Columbia, Mo. ? Senior left-handed pitcher Mike Zagurski struck out 12 batters in his second complete-game of the season as Kansas University evened its Border Showdown series with rival Missouri with a 9-3 victory over the Tigers Saturday at Taylor Field.
Zagurski (7-4) won his third straight start after allowing just three runs on eight hits with no walks.
KU improved to 34-24 overall, 9-13 in the Big 12 Conference, while Mizzou fell to 33-17 and 13-10.
The victory was the first for Kansas against the Tigers in Columbia since April 20, 1997.
The Jayhawks tallied the first run in the top of the second inning to take their first lead of the series. With two outs, junior first baseman Jared Schweitzer doubled to left field and scored on an RBI single from designated hitter John Allman.
MU rallied for a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second, but KU forged a 2-all tie in the third. With one out in the frame, juniors Matt Baty and Ritchie Price collected back-to-back hits to give the Jayhawks runners at the corners. Left fielder A.J. Van Slyke plated his team-leading 55th RBI of the season on a sacrifice fly to center field.
In the top of the eighth inning, KU took advantage of an error to score three runs and open a 5-2 advantage. Van Slyke led off the inning with an infield single and was in danger of being stranded after the next two hitters were retired. Schweitzer grounded a ball to Missouri third baseman John McKee, who threw wildly to first, allowing Schweitzer to reach second and Van Slyke to come home. Allman was walked intentionally, putting runners on first and second with two outs. Ryne Price drew a walk to load the bases, and freshman Erik Morrison singled up the middle to drive in two runners.
Ritchie Price, who finished 3-for-5, connected on his second home run of the season, a solo shot over the wall in right field in the seventh.
KU and MU will conclude their series with a single game today. First pitch is 1 p.m.
