Friday, April 21, 2006
Kansas
Offense:
Last weekend, Kansas dropped its first Big 12 Conference series in three weeks. The Jayhawks were no match for the hitter-friendly confines of Allie P. Reynolds Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., but not for lack of offense. Even when losing to Oklahoma State by 12 runs last Saturday, the Jayhawks still watched six different players in their lineup homer in the defeat. While the team brings heavy bats — with 49 home runs this season — it doesn’t always use them the most productive way possible — with 295 strikeouts. In the team’s pair of midweek games, however, the Jayhawks showed no mercy, crushing Missouri State and Tabor by at least 10 runs apiece.
Defense:
When Kansas gets the opportunity to face off against opponents like Missouri State and Tabor in midweek match-ups, Coach Ritch Price takes it as a chance to work his younger, less experienced players into the lineup. Even as players subbed in and changed positions, the defense remained solid and the Jayhawks committed just one error in a pair of games that saw a combined 12 substitutes and six pitching changes on Tuesday and Wednesday. Kansas was able to display some of its younger pitching this week, but tonight the weekend rotation will step back in. Junior lefty Sean Land (4-6, 5.17) goes tonight, senior righty Ricky Fairchild (4-4, 5.40) on Saturday and senior right-hander Kodiak Quick (7-2, 3.28) will handle the series finale.
Coaching:
Price uses the opportunity to play all of the players who see more bench time than playing time, but it’s not always possible. Price, however, has made it clear with both his words and his actions that if the opportunity comes up he will rest a starter to get a younger, less experienced player some at bats. This weekend will not allow for many chances to use anybody but the best, as the Wildcats look to win their first series against the Jayhawks in three years. Kansas has won five of their past six meetings.
— Alissa Bauer
Kansas State
Offense:
The Kansas State offense doesn’t do anything great, but it can do a little bit of everything. The Wildcats have the fourth-highest team batting average in the Big 12 (.322), but are seventh in home runs (20) and sixth in RBI (144) and stolen bases (50) — partly because they have played only 34 games, compared to other teams in the conference that have played more than 40 games. Individually, senior outfielders Barrett Rice and Joe Roundy can do some damage. Rice leads the Big 12 with a .424 batting average and is tied for the lead in doubles with 15. Roundy is third in the conference with a .410 batting average and tied for fourth in RBI with 44.
Defense:
Kansas State’s .972 fielding percentage is tied for the third best in the Big 12. The Wildcats are averaging just over one error per game with 37 and just under one double play per game with 30. Senior catcher Brandon Farr is one of the best in the conference at keeping the ball from reaching the backstop with only four passed balls. However, he has allowed 30 stolen bases, compared to the three base runners he’s thrown out. Kansas State has a decent ERA at 3.89, but ranks in the bottom half of the Big 12 with 7.12 strikeouts per nine innings. The Wildcat staff has great control, though, with only 76 walks, the fewest in the conference.
Kansas State coach Brad Hill has done an amazing job scouting the junior college scene. Rice, Roundy, Farr and junior infielder Jared Goedert transferred in from junior colleges and are batting over .350. Senior right-handed starter Adam Cowart (5-3) is also from a junior college and anchors the Kansas State staff. He leads all regular starters with a 3.13 ERA and leads the team with 51 strikeouts in 60.1 innings. Yet, Kansas State is 3-8-1 in the Big 12 and will likely miss the Big 12 tournament for the fourth straight year.
— Shawn Shroyer
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