Tuesday, March 6, 2007
After being empty for nearly an extra month, Kansas’ Hoglund Ballpark is booked for the week, playing host to four games in four days.
Because of below-freezing temperatures and poor field conditions, the North Dakota State series was cancelled earlier this season. To make up for those games, coach Ritch Price had to find opponents to fill the gaps. The Jayhawks (9-5) face the Tabor Bluejays (5-6) this afternoon at 4 p.m. after completing its first doubleheader at home Sunday. On Wednesday, the Jayhawks face Baker.
“I think the big thing is we need to get outside,” Price said. “Take pre-game BP, take infield/outfield, play against somebody else’s different jersey and get the confidence level up.”
pullquote
Take pre-game BP, take infield/outfield, play against somebody else’s different jersey and get the confidence level up.
-coach Rich Price
The confidence level rose after completing a two-game sweep Sunday against Western Illinois. The Jayhawks outscored the Leathernecks 21-8 but committed seven errors in the doubleheader.
“We’ve been pretty solid defensively and errors are going to happen,” said junior shortstop Erik Morrison. “It’s just a matter of how we rebound from the errors and come back and keep ourselves up, keep focused and keep confident and make a plus play later on in the game and redeem yourself.”
Morrison was a little shaky defensively, posting two errors in the second game against Western Illinois, but he did plenty of redeeming at the plate. He enters today’s game smoking hot after a 5-for-8, three RBI day on Sunday.
Sophomore catcher Buck Afenir also found his groove at home this weekend. Afenir belted a home run in each game, one of which was a grand slam to put the first game against the Leathernecks away in early innings. Like much of the Jayhawk lineup, Afenir’s confidence increased with each hit.
“I think we’ve got to come out strong, not play down,” Afenir said. “But yeah I think we’ll play good and have another confidence booster.”
The goal of this series of home games is to prepare the Jayhawks to take on powerhouse No. 10 Arkansas (10-5) this weekend in Fayetteville, Ark.
“If we can get a couple of the other guys get a couple of knocks this week before we get to Arkansas,” Price said. “Then we should have the right frame of mind mentally to play.”
Kansan sportswriter Alissa Bauer can be contacted at abauer@kansan.com.
— Edited by Darla Slipke
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