John Allman

Kansas

At a glance:

The Jayhawks enjoyed another successful week, winning last weekend’s series against Kansas State two games to one before sweeping their opponents in the Best of the Midwest tournament in Kansas City, Kan. The team has won 10 of its past 13 games and boasts a 14-2 record at home. That mark is good enough for a No. 30 ranking on the NCBWA poll and a tie with Baylor for fourth in the Big 12.

Last time out:

Kansas pitching finally had an opportunity to shine hand-in-hand with its hitting in the team’s outing against Creighton on Wednesday. Midweek starter Nick Czyz (3-1) threw a career-high seven innings against the Bluejays, allowing one hit. The Jayhawks had eight strikeouts with one walk and the offense produced nine runs off 12 hits.

Player to watch:

Gus Milner. The senior outfielder is 7-of-17 in the Jayhawks past five games. He led his team’s offense against Kansas State, going 4-of-10 with a pair of RBI in the three-game set. He also made his presence known at the Best of the Midwest tournament, going 3-for-7 with another pair of RBI to bring his team-leading total to 49 on the season.

Five quick facts:

14 - More runs Kansas scored than both its Best of the Midwest opponents combined.

0 - Times the Jayhawks have finished the season with a winning conference record since the Big 12 was created. They are currently 9-9 in conference.

2 - Kansas’ rank in home runs in the conference, with 12.

18 - Batters that Kansas pitchers struck out in the past two games.

63 - Number of hits Milner has tallied this season, tying him for third in the Big 12.

Looking forward:

With nine conference victories already this season and nine Big 12 games to go, the Jayhawks are just two away from the 11 victories they posted in conference last season. If Kansas can stop Oklahoma’s 11-game winning streak and go on a streak of its own, it could walk into Austin, Texas, next week with a solid record before facing the defending College World Series champs.

Key to victory:

Defense. Even though the Jayhawks posted a 4-1 record last week, they could have gone 5-0. The winning runs that Kansas State put up against Kansas in the series finale were all unearned. Offense and pitching bailed the Jayhawks out a couple of different times this week, as they committed eight errors and allowed seven unearned runs in their past five games.

Oklahoma

At a glance:

Oklahoma (11-4) is right behind Nebraska and Texas in the Big 12 standings. A series victory against Kansas would keep Oklahoma in position to surpass the Huskers or Longhorns in the standings, with only one game separating the three teams. Oklahoma is riding an 11-game winning streak into Lawrence – its longest since 1998.

Last time out:

Oklahoma beat New Mexico on Monday, 18-9. The Sooners trailed the Lobos 7-6 in the bottom of the sixth, though, until senior outfielder Chuckie Caufield led off with a solo homer that tied the game. Oklahoma scored nine more runs in the sixth, putting the game out of reach.

Player to watch:

Ryan Rohlinger. If leadoff man Caufield doesn’t get you, senior infielder Ryan Rohlinger will. Rohlinger is second on the team in batting average, runs, RBI and hits behind Caufield, but leads the team with six home runs, 91 total bases and a .572 slugging percentage.

Five quick facts:

1 – Number of conference series Oklahoma has lost this season, the one to Texas two games to one.

5 – The rank Big 12 coaches voted Oklahoma to finish in the conference. Unless the Sooners fall apart in the last month of the season, they should finish no lower than third.

8 – Straight Big 12 games Oklahoma has won during its 11-game winning streak.

10 – National rank of the Oklahoma pitching staff in shutouts with five, according to boydsworld.com.

28 – Errors Oklahoma has committed – by far the fewest in the Big 12.

Looking forward:

If Oklahoma can finish no lower than third in the Big 12, it will have earned it. Oklahoma’s only break will come next week in its final home series against Kansas State. Oklahoma will then travel to a neutral site to play in-state rival Oklahoma State the following week. Oklahoma will face Nebraska in Lincoln in its regular season finale, which may decide how the chips fall at the top of the conference.

Key to victory:

Hitting. Oklahoma has a power pitching staff that should take advantage of a Kansas lineup that has 324 strikeouts and Oklahoma’s defense will certainly help its pitchers out. The Oklahoma offense must do its part and find ways to put runs on the board against a stingy Kansas staff.