KU Baseball Weekly Update: 3.30.15

The Jayhawks take Game 1 from the Raiders, but after getting blasted in Game 2 couldn't hang on in Game 3 to take the series.

Friday, March 27 - Kansas 7, Texas Tech 4

JR lefty Ben Krauth pitched into the 7th inning, then CL Stephen Villines went the rest of the way and the Jayhawks knocked off Texas Tech in Lubbock on Friday night.  Krauth (6.2 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 8 K) picked up his fifth straight win after tossing 121 pitches while Villines (2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 K) picked up his seventh save.  The Jayhawks were led offensively by LF Connor McKay (3/6, H, RBI), C Michael Tinsley (3/4, 3 R, BB, RBI), and 3B Matt McLaughlin (3/3, 2 BB, R), the three of whom combined for 9 of KU's 15 hits on the night.

Saturday, March 28 - Texas Tech 9, Kansas 3

The Raiders plated four runs in the first inning and two more in the second, and KU couldn't match them offensively despite getting 11 hits in Game 2 of the weekend series.  SP Blake Weiman got roughed up in the early going, but eventually settled down to give KU five innings.  Weiman (5.0 IP, 10 H, 7 ER, BB, K) fell to 0-4 on the year.   KU was led offensively by 1B Blair Beck (2/3, R, BB) and 3B Matt McLaughlin (2/3, R, BB).

Sunday, March 29 - Texas Tech 3, Kansas 2

KU got a strong performance from senior SP Drew Morovick, but once again the Jayhawk bats were unable to push runs across the plate.  KU jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but couldn't hold it as TCU scraped back into the game, finally pushing what would be the winning run across with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning.  The Jayhawks would put the tying and go-ahead runs on base in the top of the ninth with two outs, but TCU went to their closer and shut the door.  Morovick (6.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 3 K) pitched his way out of jams all game, including a bases-loaded, 1-out situation in the second inning.  CL Stephen Villines (1.0 IP, H, ER) picked up his first loss of the year after giving up the go-ahead run in the eighth inning.  KU was led offensively by LF Connor McKay (2/4, R, BB) and 2B Colby Wright (0/2, R, 3 BB).

Said coach Rich Price of Sunday's affair, "After getting beat up yesterday, we needed a quality start," Price said. "Morovick gave us an outstanding performance. He held them to two runs and we played solid defense behind him, which gave us an opportunity to play offense and try to win the game."

Up Next

The Jayhawks have a midweek affair with Wichita State at Eck Stadium on Wednesday evening, April 1, scheduled for a 6:30 first pitch.  KU will then travel to Norman, OK, for a Thursday-Saturday three-game series with the Sooners.  Of course, all games can be heard on the Jayhawk Radio Network through KUAthletics.com/Radio or on the official Kansas Jayhawks mobile app.