OU overcomes deficit, KU

? Kansas University couldn’t hold a seven-run lead and dropped a 10-8 Big 12 Conference baseball decision Saturday to Oklahoma.

For the second-straight day, the Jayhawks (30-16 overall, 5-9 Big 12) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning against the Sooners.

KU center fielder Lance Hayes opened with a single and moved to second when shortstop Ritchie Price walked on four consecutive pitches. First baseman Ryan Baty then singled to left field, giving KU its early advantage.

The Jayhawks later took a 2-0 lead when Price scored on right fielder Matt Tribble’s groundout to second.

The Jayhawks’ advantage grew to 7-0 in the top of the third when second baseman Matt Baty scored on Hayes’ slow roller, and third baseman Travis Metcalf blasted a grand slam high over the center-field fence. It was Metcalf’s second homer of the season.

OU scored three runs in the bottom of the third against KU starter Chris Smart, then pulled to within 7-6 after scoring another three runs in the fourth.

The Sooners jumped ahead in the bottom of the fifth after scoring twice to take an 8-7 lead. The go-ahead run crossed the plate when KU reliever Don Czyz uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Brandon Jones to race home from third.

Kansas tied the game in the seventh at 8, but OU answered in the bottom of inning to take a 9-8 lead and then scored an insurance run in the eighth.

Czyz, who worked three innings and allowed just one run, suffered his third loss.

The Jayhawks and Sooners will meet again at 2 p.m. today in the final game of the three-game series.