Kansas takes control in the ninth and beats Kansas State in the opener of the Big 12 Tournament
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Hunter Cranton struck out two in the ninth inning to help earn his seventh save and No. 7 seed Kansas held off sixth-seeded Kansas State 2-1 on Tuesday in the opening game of the Big 12 Tournament.
Kansas (30-21), which is playing in the tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2017-19, avenged last year’s season-ending 7-1 tournament loss to Kansas State to advance to the winner’s bracket. Kansas State (31-23) also continues in the double-elimination tournament.
Kansas broke a tie in the ninth when Lenny Ashby sent a fly ball to the wall, resulting in a triple and Collier Cranford hit a sacrifice fly to bring in pinch runner Sam Hunt.
Cranton struck out the first two batters, then got the previously 3-for-3 Kaelen Culpepper to fly out.
Kansas opened the scoring in the fourth when Ben Hartl hit a solo shot to left center for his 11th homer of the season.
Related articles
Russia begins nuclear drills in an apparent warning to West over Ukraine
Russia’s military on Tuesday began drills involving tactical nuclear weapons that were announced by2024-05-22Cluster fears over new HK virus cases
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here2024-05-22Major geomagnetic storm lights up parts of New Zealand
Aurora Australis seen in New Zealand after geomagnetic storm in March. Photo: Supplied / Ian Griffin2024-05-22Muhammad Ali's 'Thrilla in Manila' trunks expected to sell for $10m
US boxer Muhammad Ali (L) hitting the head of his opponent Joe Frazier during their bout in Manila,2024-05-22UN maritime tribunal says countries are legally required to reduce greenhouse gas pollution
HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — A U.N. tribunal on maritime law said Tuesday that countries are legally requ2024-05-22Protests over government's plans to repeal Smokefree legislation in Auckland and at Parliament
People gathered at the Smokefree rally at Parliament. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone2024-05-22
atest comment