OSU pitching stifles Jayhawks

By Jeff Fedotin     Mar 26, 2007

Rachel Seymour
KU junior ryne price slides toward first base after being tagged out by Oklahoma State's Rebel Ridling. KU lost, 7-3, Sunday at Hoglund Ballpark.

Although Kansas University baseball coach Ritch Price spent the weekend praising the potency of the Oklahoma State University offense, the Cowboys’ pitching stymied the Jayhawks on Sunday afternoon.

OSU freshman Andrew Oliver (5-0) allowed three hits and two earned runs during 52â3 innings to lead the Cowboys to a 7-3 victory at Hoglund Ballpark.

“That left-hander’s a pretty good prospect,” shortstop Erik Morrison said. “He located his pitches well. He threw strikes.”

The Jayhawks received a strong pitching performance of their own from starter Andy Marks (3-3). Price said if he had known Marks would allow seven runs through seven innings despite the strong gust blowing out, he would have liked his chances.

He also praised the young pitcher’s maturity and resiliency.

Rachel Seymour
Kansas' left-handed, sophomore pitcher Andy Marks throws a pitch to an Oklahoma State player at Hoglund Ballpark on Sunday.

“He’s starting to grow up a little bit,” Price said. “He’s starting to understand that if you have a bad inning, you’ve got a put a zero up and not let the bleeding continue.”

Using a changeup as his go-to pitch, the sophomore posted career highs with innings pitched in one game (seven) and strikeouts (10) versus a Cowboys team that began the three-game series leading the Big 12 in batting average, runs, home runs and RBIs.

“I was happy with the way I pitched,” Marks said. “But obviously against this team right here – probably the best team hitting team I’ve ever faced – if you make a mistake they pound it.”

Marks made a critical mistake during the fifth inning. After Ty Wright and Corey Brown began the inning with a single and double, Tyler Mach rocketed an inside pitch to left center for a three-run home run. Mach entered the series as the Big 12 Conference’s leading hitter with a .442 batting average.

“I left it over the plate a little bit,” Marks said. “He’ll make you pay for that every time.”

Marks also struggled during the beginning of the game. Simon and Corey Brown both singled in the first inning for a 1-0 lead. During the second, Rebel Ridling doubled, Jordy Mercer singled, Dylan Brown walked and Wright singled for 3-0 lead.

“He got behind early and got the ball up early,” Price said. “I was pleased how he came back and put a couple of zeroes up (to) keep us in the game.”

On the offensive side, KU did not maximize its six hits. After stranding 14 runners Saturday, the Jayhawks (15-14,1-2) left nine on base Sunday. One of the few offensive highlights occurred when Morrison delivered a solo shot to left field during the second. The junior leads the team with five home runs.

“I’m a big believer in the first-pitch fastball,” he said. “I’m going to hit it if it’s there.”

KU’s last offensive burst transpired during the ninth inning when pinch hitters Casey Larson and Justin Ellrich doubled and walked, respectively, for the final run.

After winning 14-4 Friday and losing 6-3 Saturday, OSU (19-6, 2-1) captured the series with Sunday’s victory.

The Jayhawks next visit Missouri State on Tuesday and Missouri this weekend for a three-game series.

“We’ve just got to find a way to win on the road,” Price said.

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