Kansas Jayhawks baseball winless in the First Pitch Invitational

Two disappointing performances and a rain-out left the Jayhawks with a win this weekend

The Kansas Jayhawks baseball team lost their first two games in the First Pitch Invitational, falling to 7-6 overall on the season. The final game was canceled due to inclement weather and will not be rescheduled. Even though the Jayhawks fought back in each game, they weren't able to build on a mid-week win over Wichita State with more wins.

Game 1

The Kansas Jayhawks had a game 1 matchup that was expected to be set up well in their favor. As discussed in the preview, Western Carolina has struggled as a pitching staff, whereas Kansas has excelled at the plate. Unfortunately, the Jayhawks could not keep up with the Catamount.  

Starting pitcher Collin Baumgartner once again showed why he is the #1 starter for Kansas. He lasted five innings giving up four hits, one run, two walks, and four strikeouts. He threw 117 pitches, and you could not ask for more. Unfortunately, his replacement was NOT the Gavin Brasosky we are used to seeing. Despite his tremendous season so far, he only made it through 2 1/3 innings, giving up three hits, two runs, and three strikeouts. 

Kolby Dougan came next, but he was pulled after just 1/3 of an inning. Stone Hewlett couldn't lock it down either, giving up two hits, two runs, and one strikeout in just one inning of work. Thaniel Trumper would finish the game throwing 1/3 of an inning, giving up one hit and one walk.  

.@ChaseJans got that clutch gene 😤

All tied up at 3 in Greenville pic.twitter.com/PkOcwfJK5S

— Kansas Baseball (@KUBaseball) March 11, 2023

Even more surprising for the Jayhawks was that they struggled with the bats, with eight hits being l outweighed by 12 strikeouts and leaving seven runners on base. Head coach Dan Fitzgerald said, “That’s a tough loss. I thought we showed a lot of fight, getting back into it at 3-3, but we didn’t help ourselves enough offensively. It’s tough to win when you don’t give yourself enough run support."

Game 2

Heading into the game against the Michigan State Spartans, the biggest worry was about how the Kansas defense would hold up. And it was right to point out that issue, ask Starting pitcher Sam Ireland followed up his complete-game shutout with six hits, six runs, three walks, and six strikeouts. After pitching for six innings, Ireland handes the baseball to Karter Muck. Muck pitched 1 1/3 innings, giving up three hits, three runs, one walk, and one strikeout. The pitching was finished by Evers, Tylicki, and Cashero, who combined for two innings giving up two hits, one run, one walk, and two strikeouts. It is difficult to win a baseball game when you give up ten runs.

The Jayhawks did not score a run until the third inning but found a way to tie the game at 6-all when Kodey Shojinaga hit his third home run of the season, a two-run home run. Infielder Sam Hunt had himself a day as he would go 3-of-4 from the plate. The Kansas hitters combined for ten hits, six runs, four walks, and only five strikeouts. 

LETS GOOOOO 😜🤙 @kodeyshoj28 pic.twitter.com/M6md1Ejsl6

— Kansas Baseball (@KUBaseball) March 11, 2023

Game 3

The third game of the First Pitch Invitational would be canceled due to inclement weather.

⛈️ SCHEDULE UPDATE: Sunday's game against Michigan State has been canceled due to inclement weather in the Greenville area. The game will not be rescheduled.

Kansas will return to action on Tuesday at Charleston Southern, with first pitch set for 4 p.m. CT.#RockChalk pic.twitter.com/D8eJyLeBpd

— Kansas Baseball (@KUBaseball) March 12, 2023

The Kansas Jayhawks will head back to South Carolina and play a two-game midweek series against Charleston Southern. The first game will be on Tuesday, March 14th, at 4:00 pm CST, and the second game on Wednesday, March 15th, at 4:00 pm CST.  

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