Tony Thompson’s two homeruns power Jayhawks to a 7-4 victory over Leathernecks

Tony Thompson hit his fifth and sixth homeruns of the season today at Hoglund park, driving in three runners.  This proved to be the difference in Kansas’ 7-4 win over visiting Western Illinois.  Kansas ended a five game home stand with a perfect 12-0 record at Hoglund.  The Jayhawks hit the road this weekend for a key conference series at Texas A&M.

After the jump additional game notes and something new!  A boxscore.  (Is this is good additon?)

After starting six bench players yesterday Ritch Price went with his first string today.  WIU starter Austin Brough accounted for himself well by keeping Kansas off the scoreboard through the first three frames.  Tony Thompson broke up the scoreless game by taking the first pitch he saw in his second at-bat over the left field fence for a two run homer.  Poor defense by the visitors again came into play as KU added a third unearned run in the inning.  The Leathernecks put up a fight by responding with two runs of their own the following inning.  Both runs came after a Tony Thompson throwing error.  I think this is Thompson’s first error of the year.  It was certainly the first time I have seen him fail to execute in the field this year.

The Jayhawks stretched their lead to 5-3 in the bottom of the sixth on a manufactured Brian Heere run and Thompson’s second long ball.  Both Thompson home runs were to left field and came on the first pitch.   Western Illinois miscues allowed KU to score two more runs in the 8th aided by a wild pitch and a throwing error by shortstop Lorenzo Gallaga.  It was their third error of the game and seventh of the two game series.  The Leathernecks scored a single run in the seventh off KU reliever Kelson Boyer.  In the 9th inning Tyler Metcalf continued to punish Kansas by hitting a solo homerun off Paul Smyth.  Metcalf's homerun hung up forever before just clearing the centerfield fence.  This was Metcalf’s third homerun of the series.  I guess his older brother, former KU great Travis Metcalf, left a few Hoglund homeruns swings behind for his brother to collect when he got to town.

Brett Bollman got the start for the Jayhawks and pitched well.  He went five innings, gave up 5 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), one walk and struck out five.   Colton Murray and Travis Blankenship pitched scoreless innings in relief.

It was a cold and overcast day at the park which resulted in a low turnout of maybe 250 fans.  Late in the game I introduced myself to a couple who were sitting behind me cheering for the visitors.  It turns out they were Mom and Dad Metcalf.  They report that Travis is doing fine and still fighting for a roster spot on the Rangers with one week left in spring training.  They were good people making just the right amount of noise for their son today. 

Kansas improves to 15-7 while Western Illinois falls to 3-12.

KU recap and box score here.

2009 Kansas Baseball
W Illinois at Kansas
Mar 25, 2009 at Lawrence, KS (Hoglund Ballpark)

Score by Innings                    R  H  E
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W Illinois.......... 000 020 011 -  4 10  3
Kansas.............. 000 320 02X -  7 11  1
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