March 25, 2007

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LAWRENCE, Kan. -

Sophomore lefty Andy Marks collected 10 strikeouts Sunday, but it was not enough as No. 14 Oklahoma State tripped up the University of Kansas, 7-3, Sunday in the rubber game of the three-game Big 12 series at Hoglund Ballpark.

The Cowboys improve to 19-6 overall and 2-1 in the Big 12, while KU falls to 15-14 and 2-4 in conference play.

OSU senior Tyler Mach hit a three-run homer in the top of the fifth to stretch a one-run Cowboy lead. It was a blow that the Jayhawks did not recover from. 

KU nearly erased an early three-run deficit with single runs in the second and fourth. Junior Erik Morrison hit his team-leading fifth home run of the season in the second, while Cowboys' starting pitcher Andrew Oliver balked home KU's second run in the bottom of the fourth. However, that's as close as it got.  

Mach's three-run blast to left center opened up a 6-2 lead, while the Cowboys pushed home another run in the seventh on Rebel Ridling's RBI single. 

The Jayhawks tried to make it interesting in the ninth, putting runners on first and third with one out. An error by Mach cut the deficit to 7-3 and put the tying run on deck in the form of Morrison.

However, Oklahoma State closer Jordy Mercer induced a fly out off the bat of Nick Faunce to end the game and the series.  

Marks struck out 10 Cowboy hitters in seven innings of work, setting career highs in both categories. He became the first Jayhawks pitcher to strikeout 10 or more in a conference game since Mike Zagurski struck out 12 at Missouri on May 14, 2005.   

The Jayhawks will travel to Springfield, Mo., for a mid-week game against Missouri State at 7 p.m. Tuesday.