Box Score LAWRENCE, Kan. ? The UALR baseball team (16-11) held an 8-4 lead over Kansas through six innings at Hoglund Ballpark on Tuesday, but the Jayhawks (16-9) rallied with five runs in the bottom of the seventh en route to a 9-8 win over the Trojans.
UALR outhit Kansas 12-to-11 and held an 8-4 lead through six innings thanks in part to two RBI from senior Tim Emmons and junior Jason Houston. Emmons went 3-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI to lead the way for UALR, while Houston belted his team-leading seventh home run of the season in the sixth inning ? a two-run shot to left.
The Jayhawks drew three walks and came up with four hits in the bottom of the seventh to put together their five-run rally. Down 8-5 with two outs on the board, Robby Price delivered a two-run double to right and Brian Heere followed with a two-RBI single to center to put the Jayhawks on top for good.
Jayhawk relievers Matt Kohorst, Travis Blankenship and Colton Murray did their part for Kansas by holding the Trojans scoreless over the final three innings. Kohorst (1-0) picked up the win by striking out two Trojans in a scoreless seventh inning of work, while Murray closed out the game to earn his first save of the year.
The Trojans tried to rally in the top of the ninth as senior Landis Wilson drew a leadoff walk, but pinch runner Zach Ragsdale was thrown out at third after colliding with KU's shortstop as he tried to advance on a sacrifice bunt attempt. Emmons and junior Brock Feldmann followed with two-out singles, but Murray got a strikeout from the next batter to seal the win.
Junior Jake Rowell and senior Nate Brown added two hits apiece for the Trojans, with Rowell hitting a pair of doubles to raise his season total to 11. Heere was one of three players to enjoy a multi-hit performance for the Jayhawks, leading the team with a 3-for-5, two-RBI effort.
UALR returns to action this weekend when it hits the road for a three-game Sun Belt Conference series with Troy. Saturday's 3 p.m. game between UALR and Troy will be televised by CSS/CST.
