Thursday, March 8, 2007
With an entirely new weekend rotation this season, Kansas’ bullpen will be key to its success.
On Wednesday night, the Kansas bullpen came through to shut down a Baker offense that was surprisingly potent early in the game.
Coach Ritch Price had to turn to his releivers a little earlier than planned after freshman right-hander Thomas Marcin allowed six runs to cross the plate before recording the final out of the second inning. At least only two of the six runs were earned during his 1 2/3 inning start.
KANSAN
Thomas Marcin, freshman pitcher, throws during last nights game against Baker at Hoglund Ballpark. The Jayhawks beat the Wildcats 24-7.
Two key errors didn’t help, especially since one of the errors was Marcin’s. He also struggled with his command, allowing two walks and hitting a batter. The poor showing from Marcin was a surprise to Price, Marcin had allowed just one run and walked two batters in 11 innings before Wednesday.
“The only thing I was disappointed with in the evening was obviously Thomas Marcin’s outing,” Price said. “I told him after he came out that four years ago, Donnie Czyz started against Baker College, didn’t get out of the first inning, we got beat and he picked up the loss. Then he became an All-American.
“Thomas has been absolutely fabulous for us. That’s the first bad outing he’s had. That’s the first time he’s not been rock solid.”
Senior right-hander Ryotaro Hayakawa, a veteran reliever for Kansas, was the first Jayhawk in from the pen. In his 1 1/3 innings of work, he was able to shut out the Wildcats.
Sophomore left-hander Andy Marks, one of Kansas’ weekend starters, was the next Kansas reliever and he had the longest outing of any pitcher Wednesday. He lasted three innings, striking out six and allowing one run on three walks and two hits.
As surprised as Price was at Marcin’s performance, Marks was just as surprised that he got into the game.
“I actually didn’t expect to get into the game at all,” Marks said. “I was expecting to throw a bullpen session after the game.”
However, Marks was glad he got the unanticipated game work heading into this weekend.
He is slated to pitch on Sunday against No. 10 Arkansas, but until Wednesday, his last appearance was on Feb. 25 at Stanford because the third game of the Western Illinois series, in which Marks was supposed to start, was cancelled.
After Marks’ solid appearance, junior right-handers Matt Lane and Hiarali Garcia combined to pitch the seventh and eighth innings. The only blemish on their final lines was a hit allowed apiece.
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After Marks’ solid appearance, junior right-handers Matt Lane and Hiarali Garcia combined to pitch the seventh and eighth innings. The only blemish on their final lines was a hit allowed apiece.
Despite the shaky start to Kansas’ evening, the team was encouraged by the support it received from the bullpen. Although Marks probably won’t be making any appearances out of the bullpen any time soon, he might have benefited the most as he earned his third victory of the season.
“It was a good thing to get some guys some work,” Marks said. “I really needed some work before I start on Sunday, so I’m glad that I got a couple innings in.”
Game note:
-Junior left fielder John Allman extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a double in the fifth inning.
Kansan sportswriter Shawn Shroyer can be contacted at sshroyer@kansan.com.
—Edited by Lisa Tilson
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