Box Score

WICHITA, Kan. – The University of Kansas outlasted Wichita State in a marathon game at Eck Stadium that went 11 innings, 13-12.

Sam Hilliard went 3-for-6 with five RBI, while Daniel Kihle went 4-for-6 with an RBI and Ryan Tinkham went 4-for-6 with two RBI and a home run.

Hilliard was the starting pitcher and went three innings while giving up five earned runs on three hits and struck out four while walking two. He received a no decision.

Joven Afenir started the game off for KU with a leadoff single. After advancing on a sacrifice bunt, Afenir scored on a single by Michael Tinsley. Colby Wright was hit by a Hilliard pitch to load the bases, and Dakota Smith hit a grand slam to centerfield to put the Jayhawks up 5-0.

Michael Burns led off for the Shockers with a double in the bottom of the first, and Daniel Kihle drove a single up the middle to score Burns. After a Ryan Tinkham double and a walk for Chase Rader loaded up the bases, Sam Hilliard cleared the bases with a double to trim WSU's deficit to 5-4.

WSU took the lead in the bottom of the second. Trey Vickers doubled to left field and later scored on a Mikel Mucha sacrifice fly to tie the score. Kihle hit another single up the middle, and Ryan Tinkham hit the first pitch he saw for a home run to center field to give WSU a 7-5 lead.

Afenir hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth for KU to make the score 7-6.

Mucha and Kihle both singled to start the bottom of the fourth for WSU. After Kihle advanced to second on a wild pitch, Rader was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A single by Hilliard scored Mucha and Kihle, putting WSU up 9-6. Jordan Farris was hit by a pitch to load up the bases again for the Shockers. Gunnar Troutwine hit a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Rader to score. Hilliard scored after another wild pitch, giving the Shockers an 11-6 lead.

In the top of the sixth, Wright walked to start the inning for KU and later advanced on a wild pitch. Tommy Mirabelli later hit a two-run home run to make the score 11-8.

WSU added to the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Farris doubled and later scored on a Troutwine single, giving the Shockers a 12-8 lead.

KU scored again in the top of the seventh inning. Matt McLaughlin singled, and then Tinsley also singled, moving McLaughlin to third. Blair Beck hit a sacrifice fly to score McLaughlin, cutting the WSU lead to 12-9.

In the top of the eighth, KU continued to put pressure on. Smith walked, TJ Martin hit a single, and Mirabelli walked to load the bases. A wild pitch allowed runners to advance, scoring Smith in the process. McLaughlin hit a single to right field, scoring both Mirabelli and Joe Luvisi, a pinch runner for Martin, to tie up the game at 12-12.

The Jayhawks scored the game-clinching run in the top of the 11th inning. Tinsley doubled to right, and was moved over to third on a sacrifice bunt by John Remick. After an intentional walk to Wright gave the Shockers a favorable defensive situation, Smith laid down a successful safety squeeze bunt to bring Tinsley home for the deciding run, 13-12.

The Shockers will host the Indiana State Sycamores in a three-game weekend series starting on Fri., April 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Eck Stadium.

- Wichita State -