Big Inning Lifts No. 25 Jayhawks Past Gonzaga, 9-5

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Senior first baseman Brett Lisher went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two RBIs, while James Stanfield also collected two hits as No. 25 Kansas downed Gonzaga 9-5 in the early game Saturday at the Peoria College Baseball Showdown at the Peoria Sports Complex.

The Jayhawks win their third straight and improve to 3-1, while the 'Zags drop their third straight and fall to 2-3.

Kansas trailed early, but scored five times in the fourth inning to take control of the game. Down 2-1, the Jayhawks loaded the bases with nobody out singles by Brett Lisher and Brandon Macias and a walk to Jimmy Waters. Stanfield was hit by a pitch to tie the score, while KU took the lead on a pop fly to center field off the bat of Jason Brunansky which eluded the Bulldog outfielders.

Casey Lytle then followed with a two-run single to center field and Brian Heere capped the inning with a sacrifice fly to center field as the Jayhawks sent 11 men to the plate in the inning.

KU struck for three more runs in the sixth as Lisher delivered a two-run double and Macias added a sac fly to match the Jayhawks' best offensive output of the year.

Junior T.J. Walz struggled early, but finished strong, retiring nine of the final 12 hitters he faced. Walz went six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.

The Jayhawks will play their second game of the day, meeting Sacramento State at approximately 7 p.m. CST at the Peoria College Baseball Showdown.