Red Raiders rout KU

Woe unto the Kansas University baseball team’s pitching staff.

The Jayhawks wore their alternate blue uniforms Sunday against Texas Tech. Unfortunately, their pitching blues also were on display again as Kansas was pelted by the Red Raiders, 11-4 and 18-7, in a Big 12 Conference doubleheader at Hoglund Ballpark.

“It’s a tough time we’re going through. … They took us apart, there’s no doubt about it,” Kansas coach Ritch Price said.

Tech pounded Kansas, 19-7, Saturday. For the weekend, the Red Raiders amassed 48 runs off of 43 hits in the three-game series.

Break out the Band-Aids.

“It’s frustrating to know at a home series that we can get beat like that, definitely,” said KU catcher Sean Richardson, who hit two home runs Sunday. “The important thing is how we regroup.”

Price said he would meet with pitching coach Steve Abney and discuss adjustments on the mound as KU nears the end of the regular season.

The first game had flashes of a home-run derby as both squads knocked out three balls apiece. The Raiders (31-13, 11-6), though, got more runs for their bang; all three Jayhawk blasts were solo shots.

Richardson sent a Dallas Braden pitch into the trees in the sixth inning. Three pitches later, second baseman Jared Schweitzer was tagging the bases after a center-field shot.

Kansas University pitcher Sean Land covers his face after being pulled from the second game of a doubleheader against Texas Tech. Land didn't make it out of the first inning, and the Red Raiders swept the Jayhawks on Sunday at Hoglund Ballpark.

Kansas right fielder Matt Tribble also got into the act with a solo flight in the seventh inning.

Tech rang up 11 runs on 13 hits in the opener, scoring at least one run in each of the last six innings against a trio of Jayhawk pitchers. Starter Mike Zagurski (3-3) took the loss for Kansas (25-25-1, 2-15).

The second game was over before Kansas had a chance to step up to the plate. In his first start, freshmen pitcher Sean Land (3-2) had a cameo he likely would like to forget as he walked five Raiders and allowed two hits before being relieved in the first inning by Ken Livesey.

“I just let the team down,” Land said. “I thought I could work out of it, but for some reason I couldn’t throw strikes.”

Tech scored nine runs in the first inning; each Red Raider in the starting lineup scored.

Land, Livesey, Don Czyz and Andrew Rebar allowed a total of 14 walks, leading to a majority of Tech’s 18 runs off 13 hits. The nightcap ended early because of run rule.

Kansas’ most productive inning came in the second, when it scored four runs, highlighted by a triple by center fielder Matt Baty.

Richardson continued his long-ball tear — his third of the series — in the third inning with a two-run shot off the scoreboard in right field.

“I think what we need now is a win,” Richardson said.

Kansas will have a chance to get that win today in a 7 p.m. home showdown with Baker.