23 March 2024
LAWRENCE (KSNT) – KU’s Collier Cranford had a career day on Friday at Hoglund Ballark.
The Jayhawk infielder, who started at shortstop in KU’s series opener against UCF, finished 4-for-5 with seven RBI as Kansas beat the Knights 13-3.
Cranford, a fifth-year senior, hit for the cycle and capped off the accomplishment in a way most batters would only dream of. The former LSU Tiger came to the plate in the seventh inning already having a single, double and triple on the day. The bases were loaded. The story is predictable from here.
Cranford unloaded a grand slam to break the game wide open and give him the cycle. He is the first Kansas player to hit for the cycle since Connor McKay did so against Kansas State on May 10, 2013.
“It was awesome,” KU head coach Dan Fitzgerald told KU Athletics after the game. “The guys were way into that and I think everyone that was watching the game kind of saw it building where it was single, double, triple. He comes up there and gets to two strikes and we thought if he could pound one to right here and then sure enough he did. Happy for Collier. He’s a heck of a player and a heck of a teammate. It’s fun when those guys have those awesome accomplishments.”
KU improved to 12-8 overall and 4-3 in Big 12 play with the win.
“Yeah, I was walking up to my at-bat and I think some kid yelled and asked me if I was going to hit for the cycle and I ignored him,” Cranford said. “At that point, I was thinking about it. I really don’t have any words.”