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.
Kentucky congressman expects no voter fallout for his role in attempt to oust House speaker
Victory for free speech in the face of Brussels bullies! Nigel Farage returns to right
House prices fell 0.2% in last year, official figures report
Garland defends Biden's mental fitness and says he has 'complete confidence' in him
At least 40 villagers shot dead in latest violence in Nigeria's conflict
Minnesota toddler dies after fall from South Dakota hotel window
The Montreal Canadiens have exercised the option on coach Martin St. Louis' contract
An NPR editor who wrote a critical essay on the company has resigned after being suspended
Guardians ruin Francisco Lindor's Cleveland homecoming, trip Mets 3
OJ Simpson was chilling with a beer on a couch before Easter, lawyer says
Report says China is accelerating the forced urbanization of rural Tibetans
Owner of ship in Baltimore bridge collapse asks cargo owners to help cover salvage costs