Wednesday, February 20, 2008
In the wake of the 2006 Big 12 Championship, stands the 28-30 record that was 2007. With the 2008 season on the horizon, the 2008 senior class will try and capture the elusive Big 12 Championship once again. Leading this charge will be senior right field Ryne Price, senior left fielder John Allman and senior shortstop Erik Morrison. This trio of seniors will need a very solid incoming class and the remaining players from the 2006 titleholders. One of the players that played a key role in the Jayhawks 2006 postseason success was Buck Afenir, junior catcher, who had a two hit game against Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship and another two hit night against Hawaii in the first regional game. With Preston Land, junior first baseman, returning to his 2006 form, the Jayhawks are looking to make noise in the Big 12.
“Preston Land is going to have a huge year,” Price said. “He has the bat speed to hit it out on any pitch and at any time.”
After just missing making the Big 12 Tournament last year, this year’s team thinks it can resemble the 2006 team’s success.
“I think we have a real good chance,” Afenir said. “We were one of the youngest teams in the Big 12 last year and this year we will be one of the oldest, which I think is much similar to the success Missouri had last year.”
While experience is going to be a key factor in the Jayhawks’ success this year, sixth year head coach Ritch Price is excited about something else: pitching. The Jayhawks will have a key addition from Shaeffer Hall, a sophomore transfer at pitcher, to go along with sophomore pitcher Wally Marciel and junior pitcher Andy Marks when he returns from injury. This is something that their coach looks forward to and could be a formula for another Big 12 title.
“I think depth wise, this is the best we have been in the six years I have been here,” Price said.
If there are any skeptics left after the 2007 season, they will not be wearing crimson and blue this year. With a veteran team that has both won a championship and not made the tournament, they understand what it takes. If you pose the question if they can repeat their 2006 success, their answer is simple.
“Absolutely,” Allman said. “I have been here for four years and this team has as good of chance as any. We have a solid core of seniors and a pitching staff that is deep.”
So, as the team looks to wrap up their final days of practice before heading to the warm sunshine of Hawaii, this season may hold the opportunity for the Jayhawks to gain redemption.
— Edited by Patrick De Oliveira
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