Despite a five-run ninth inning by Kansas State, the visiting Kansas baseball team emerged victorious in Game 1 of its Sunflower Showdown series in Manhattan Friday night, 9-8 in 10 innings.
The victory improved KU to 23-25 overall and 6-12 in Big 12 play and the Jayhawks’ late-game heroics were enormous for their hopes of holding off K-State (18-30, 3-19) for the eighth and final spot in the Big 12 tournament later this month.
The Jayhawks got multi-hit performances from Rudy Karre (2-for-6, double, RBI), Brett Vosik (2-for-5) and Benjamin Sems (2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI) and launched three home runs in the win, one from Sems, a two-out blast in the top of the 10th inning that proved to be the game-winner, and one each from left fielder Devin Foyle and third baseman David Kyriacou.
Starting pitcher Jackson Goddard gave up just three runs — one earned — and five hits in six innings while striking out nine, but watched relievers Ryan Cyr and Zack Leban give up five runs on just three hits in their four combined innings of work.
The Jayhawks and Wildcats will continue the series with Game 2 at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Tointon Family Stadium.
Kansas 120 401 000 1 — 9 11 3
Kansas State 010 110 005 0 — 8 8 2
W – Zack Leban; L – Tyler Eckberg
