Tuesday, April 15, 2008
After a 1-8 start against three of the toughest teams in the conference, the Jayhawks are now showing they have what it takes to win in the Big 12.
Kansas flexed its muscles during the weekend with an offense that manufactured runs and scored with the long ball, received three strong performances from its starting pitching and displayed impeccable defense as it swept Texas Tech. After having the midweek off last week, Kansas must get back into the midweek swing against two non-conference opponents starting tonight.
Senior shortstop Erik Morrison prepares to throw to first base after fielding a ground ball Friday afternoon against Texas Tech. Morrison was charged with an error on the play after the throw came up short and bounced past first baseman Preston Land. Kansas defeated the Red Raiders 9-5 and are set to face Baker at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Kansas (22-16) will play the Baker Wildcats (8-16) today at 6 p.m. at Hoglund Ballpark, but Kansas will play host to Missouri State (22-11) Wednesday at 6 p.m. for the marquee midweek matchup. Wednesday’s game will be the Jayhawks’ final home game of the month before embarking on an eight-game road trip.
“They’re doing well in their league,” Kansas coach Ritch Price said of Missouri State. “They’re in the top 15 in the country RPI-wise, they’re off to a good start and it’s always been a good rivalry every time we play them.”
It’s been such a good rivalry that Kansas hasn’t swept a season series with Missouri State since Price’s first year at Kansas in 2003. The Jayhawks are in position to take this year’s season series with the Bears after winning their first meeting, 11-7, on March 12.
In the first meeting, Kansas relied on multiple-hit games from seniors, left fielder John Allman, right fielder Ryne Price and shortstop Erik Morrison to outscore Missouri State, while exhibiting shaky pitching and defense. But, the Jayhawks who are now riding a three-game winning streak aren’t the same team they were a month ago. On Sunday, the Jayhawks made numerous diving stops and catches, turned a double play, picked off a runner and threw out a baserunner attempting to steal second base.
“Our emphasis was to do a better job of holding runners this year, slide stepping and giving our catchers a chance, because we were probably the worst team in America at throwing runners out last year,” Price said.
One of the biggest differences in Kansas last weekend from a month ago was that junior catcher Buck Afenir was behind the plate all three games of the series. That probably wouldn’t have been the case against a running team like Texas Tech in early March.
Afenir has always been productive on offense in the Kansas lineup, but the knock on him throughout his career has been his defense. However, Price finally appears comfortable with Afenir behind the plate regardless of the opponent.
“I’ve just been throwing the ball well, which is kind of odd,” Afenir said with a laugh. “Pretty much that’s the biggest focus me and Coach (Kevin) Frady have had. He’s helped me a lot and I’m just happy that I’m starting to actually get it down there.”
Freshman third baseman Tony Thompson also appears more comfortable at the hot corner with more than 30 starts. All weekend he made diving plays look routine and showed off a cannon arm on his throws to first.
breakbox
Tuesday vs. Baker
Hiarali Garcia
1-0
3.32 ERA
Wednesday vs. Missouri State
Shaeffar Hall
2-1
4.91 ERA
Kansas’ stellar defense complemented a pitching staff that had struggled entering the Texas Tech series. After using 12 pitchers the weekend before, Kansas needed only seven pitchers last weekend.
This is the last week Kansas is scheduled to play multiple midweek games. A rested staff should be a welcome change for the Jayhawks.
Even if Kansas’ pitching staff suffers a setback, it can count on production from its offense.
The Jayhawks received production up and down the lineup last weekend, belting 25 hits in the series, including six home runs, en route to scoring 23 runs.
With Missouri State coming up Wednesday, Kansas will have its offense, pitching and defense tested. However, the Jayhawks can’t get too far ahead of themselves. The last year they swept a season series with the Bears was the last year they lost a game to the Wildcats.
—Edited by Nick Mangiaracina
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