LAWRENCE – An eight-run rally in the bottom of the seventh propelled the Kansas Jayhawks (15-8, 1-2 Big 12) to a 10-9 victory over the Missouri Tigers (8-16, 1-5 SEC) on Tuesday afternoon at Hoglund Ballpark.
Missouri struck first in the top of the third inning and again in the top of the fourth to take a 5-0 lead.
The Tigers added two more runs in the fifth and then the Jayhawks’ offense got started. KU drew three-straight walks before Tavian Josenberger was hit by a pitch, making the score 7-1.
The Jayhawks continued to eat into the deficit with a RBI double from Brett Vosik in the bottom of the six.
Missouri answered with two more runs in the top of the seventh, making the score 9-2.
Daniel Hegarty came out of the bullpen to stop the Tigers’ rally and got out of the jam.
Kansas immediately answered in the bottom of the inning. Nolan Metcalf drew a bases loaded walk and Josenberger scored on a groundout. Skyler Messinger was initially called out coming home on a wild pitch, but the call was reviewed and overturned making the score 9-5, swinging the momentum in KU’s direction.
The Jayhawks took advantage and continued their seventh-inning rally. Anthony Tulimero launched a ball to deep left center for a three-run home run, trimming the Tigers’ lead to just one run. Kansas put two more runners in scoring position and Josenberger delivered in the clutch, driving in both runners with a two out single. Kansas took a 10-9 lead into the final two frames.
Hegarty shut down Missouri in the eighth inning and secured the win, improving his record to 3-1 on the season.
Missouri tried to start a rally in the top of the ninth, but Jonah Ulane came in to close the door for Kansas, earning a save and securing the win.
Josenberger and Tulimero drove in three runs each. Casey Burnham gave the Jayhawks a spark with two hits and two runs scored. Tulimero’s three-run blast in the bottom of the seventh gives him two home runs on the season.
UP NEXT
The Jayhawks are back in action Thursday-Saturday against Texas at Hoglund Ballpark. All three games will be available on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
--kuathletics.com--