Monday, May 5, 2008
The Jayhawks bats came alive this weekend and with their combined 39 runs in three games, swept the Sooners. The 39 runs the Jayhawks scored in the series set a record as the most runs scored for the Jayhawks in a Big 12 series. Throughout the series, both teams managed to score runs in bunches, and the two teams combined for 68 runs over the three game series. For fans, the Jayhawks offense provided excitement early and often. During the course of the weekend, eight different Kansas players hit home runs, and the team combined for 45 hits.
As far as individual performances go, the Jayhawks had a great output from their lineup from top to bottom. Freshman third baseman Tony Thompson got back on track, going 6-10 with three RBI and a home run in the series.
Senior right fielder Ryne Price knocks hands with Ritch Price while rounding third base. Price hit a solo home run, pushing his season total to 11 home runs.
“I was seeing the ball real well this weekend,” Thompson said. “I was just trying to take a middle approach and get some balls elevated and it just happened to work out for me.”
Fellow freshman, designated hitter Jimmy Waters put up impressive numbers going 5-10 with a five RBI game. The two freshmen are starting to come on strong and are making strides against tougher Big 12 opponents.
“I think both of us are starting to get comfortable up there and trying to do whatever we can to help this team out and help us win,” Thompson said. “Both of us (Waters) coming through this weekend was big for us, and we are going to try and do whatever we can to keep it going.”
Alongside the freshman duo, a number of upperclassmen reaped the benefits of the Sooners pitching staff. Senior center fielder Casey Larson went 6-14 over the series and racked up four RBI.
Senior right fielder Ryne Price continued to go deep this weekend and accumulated another home run, bringing his total to 11 this year. Already holding the career home run record at Kansas, Price also stole two bases in the series finale Sunday, setting a personal single-season high with nine on the season.
The Jayhawks launched a number of balls over the Hoglund Ballpark fence throughout the series and senior shortstop Erik Morrison accounted for two of those. Morrison went 6-13 over the series, and his two home runs brought his season total to seven. Morrison’s big weekend brought his season average to .296 and gave him a four-game hitting streak.
The Jayhawks offensive production should give them confidence as they jockey for Big 12 position down the stretch. The Jayhawks have one mid-week tune up against Oral Roberts Wednesday, before the Border Showdown this weekend against Missouri.
— Edited by Daniel Reyes
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