Tuesday, April 22, 2008
What was becoming an in-state rivalry is on the verge of turning into an in-state monopoly.
After going 4-5 against Kansas the first nine meetings after Ritch Price became the Jayhawks’ coach, No. 14 Wichita State (30-7) has reeled off four straight victories against Kansas (25-18).
*Sophomore second baseman Robby Price turns a double play assisted by short stop Erik Morrison Tuesday night against Wichita State University. The Jayhawks lost 7-3 to the Shockers Tuesday giving up eight hits.
Wichita State won the first game of this year’s two-game season series, 7-3, on April 1 at Hoglund Ballpark. But Kansas gets its chance at revenge tonight at 7 p.m. at Eck Stadium.
“We’ve got to beat them at their place,” senior shortstop Erik Morrison said. “We’re down a game under .500 with them in my four years here and I’ve got to go out on top with at least a four-year split with them.”
In the first meeting of the season, Kansas jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first inning, but was shut out the final eight innings while Wichita State scored seven runs during the final seven innings.
The Shockers had eight hits in the game, but third baseman Connor Gillaspie didn’t need any to drive in runs. Although he went 1-for-4, his three RBI came on three groundouts. Gillaspie leads the Shockers with a .393 average, 43 RBI and a .600 slugging percentage.
Kansas totaled only five hits in the game. One was a two-run home run by senior right fielder Ryne Price. Price had another hit in the game to account for most of the Kansas offense. He has not been alone on offense though.
Morrison and senior left fielder John Allman both had two hits apiece in each game of last weekend’s series with No. 8 Nebraska. Junior catcher Buck Afenir also had at least one hit in each game of the series, going a combined 6-for-9 with three runs, four RBI and his sixth home run of the season.
In its first meeting with Wichita State, Kansas struggled to adjust to the Shockers’ pitching strategy. Throughout the night, Shocker pitchers used offspeed pitches and breaking balls early in the count and fastballs later in the count. The result was 14 strikeouts for the Wichita State staff.
Right-hander Tyler Fleming came in to close the game and he struck out three of the five Jayhawks he faced, allowing a hit and earning the save. But tonight, Fleming (2-1) will get the start for Wichita State. He has a 2.32 ERA on the season and 19 strikeouts to five walks.
Fleming’s counterpart will be sophomore left-hander Shaeffer Hall, who started against the Shockers the first time around. That night he was roughed up for three runs in four innings on three hits and three walks. Hall (2-1) enters tonight’s game with a 5.40 ERA and 34 strikeouts to 12 walks.
Kansas scored 18 runs during the weekend and only used two pitchers to take the final game of the weekend. So, with his offense up and running and his bullpen fresh, Price realizes now is the time to revive the rivalry between the Jayhawks and Shockers.
“It’s important that we stop that streak and set some momentum for the weekend,” Price said.
Kansas schedules makeup games
To make up for the games that were rained out in the Florida Spring Classic, Kansas has added two midweek games to its schedule.
This Wednesday at 6 p.m. Kansas will play host to Kansas Wesleyan and April 30, it will welcome Ottawa University for a 1 p.m. game.
—Edited by Nick Mangiaracina
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