Friday, March 14, 2008
The last time Kansas won eight straight games, it was a game into the 2006 NCAA West Regional. The Jayhawks wound up losing the next two games, ending their season.
This time around, how Kansas builds on its current eight-game winning streak will go a long way toward determining the Jayhawks’ postseason hopes for 2008.
To have any chance of making the NCAA tournament, Kansas has to hold its own with the top teams in the Big 12, and the Jayhawks (10-5) open conference play on the road this weekend against the best: the No. 19 Texas Longhorns (10-4).
“It kicks off the Big 12 in a pretty sweet environment,” senior shortstop Erik Morrison said. “That’s going to be key to us to see how we can open up the Big 12 with a powerhouse.”
Morrison and fellow seniors out fielders John Allman and Ryne Price have been tearing-up opposing pitchers as of late. During Kansas’ winning streak, the trio went a combined 34-for-80, a .420 batting average, with six home runs, 29 runs and 42 RBIs.
Although the Jayhawks appear to be rolling full steam ahead, coach Ritch Price said there was still plenty of room for improvement.
“I still don’t think we’re game-ready to play yet,” Price said. “We’re not as sharp defensively as we need to be yet, and we’re still not doing as good of a job with the off-speed pitches. I think that we will after we play a few more series.”
Texas pitchers put Kansas bats to the test this weekend with left-hander Austin Wood (2-1) and right-handers Kenn Kasparek (1-1) and Cole Green (1-1). Kasparek and Green have 5.11 and 7.11 respective ERAs, and have been hittable this season, but Wood won’t be as accommodating.
Wood figures to be the best pitcher Kansas has faced since Vanderbilt left-hander Mike Minor, who struck out nine Jayhawks in 6.2 innings. Wood has a 2.75 ERA and 15 strikeouts to five walks while holding opposing hitters to a .203 average.
While Texas is sticking with the same weekend rotation it’s used all season, Kansas will introduce a new weekend rotation against the Longhorns.
Sophomore left-hander Wally Marciel (2-1) makes his return to the weekend rotation tonight at 6:05 after earning a weekend spot near the end of last season. Marciel leads all Kansas starters with a 2.55 ERA.
Junior left-handers Nick Czyz (1-2) and Sam Freeman (2-0) will pitch Saturday and Sunday. With 6.32 and 6.75 respective ERAs, Czyz and Freeman have to be on top of their game against a Texas lineup that features three .400 hitters and seven batters hitting above .275.
But Kansas’ series with Texas is just the start of a busy spring break for the Jayhawks. From March 19 to March 23 Kansas will play eight teams in the Florida Spring Classic in Bradenton, Fla.
Kansas opens the Classic against Illinois on Wednesday, then plays Dartmouth and Central Connecticut State on Thursday, Ohio State and UMBC on March 21, and will play three games with Northwestern on March 22 and 23.
Eight games in five days will stretch the pitching staff to its limits, so Price will need some of his less experienced pitchers to start during the week while keeping Marciel, Czyz and Freeman in the weekend rotation.
One pitcher who probably won’t be taking the mound during the next week is junior left-hander Andy Marks. Marks is still rehabilitating after having surgery in the fall to repair a tear in his labrum. Price said Marks would travel with the team to Florida, but his season debut would likely have to wait until after spring break.
— Edited by Russell Davies
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