Fresh off of its first two-game series sweep on Tuesday against UMKC, the Jayhawks return to action this weekend. Playing another two-game series, this time they’ll square off against the No. 24 Texas Longhorns.

Riding a three-game winning streak, its longest of the season, the Jayhawks (16-23, 4-6) travel down to Austin today to play a single game at 1 p.m. Saturday, and another at noon Sunday. At 4-6 in the Big 12 Conference, Kansas has an opportunity to get back to .500 with a pair of victories.

“We really just need to work on our mental game, that’s what kills us,” Liz Kocon, sophomore right fielder, said. “This season it seems like one game we’re going right at our opponents and the next we’re flat.”

The Jayhawks will need to be mentally prepared if they want to challenge Texas. The Longhorns are currently third in the Big 12 in team batting average (.305). Texas also leads the Big 12 in home runs (44), a fourth of those hit by first baseman Desiree Williams (.318, 10 HR, 40 R). Also leading the Longhorn offense is designated player Loryn Johnson (.423) who leads the Big 12 in hits (60).

After Thursday’s practice, Bunge talked about what the Jayhawks will need to do strategically against such a well-balanced lineup.

“Texas is a much better offensive team this year than last year. They’ve got more pop in their bats and have one of the most consistent hitters in softball in Loryn Johnson,” she said. ”We need to keep the ball low and make them hit pitcher’s pitches.”

Kocon (.290, 22 RBIs) is one of the leaders of a resurgent Kansas offense that also includes third basemen Val Chapple (.318, 8 doubles), center fielder Dougie McCaulley (.311, 25 runs) and utility player Allie Clark (.267, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 8 doubles). In the outfield, the Jayhawks have played tight defensively, committing only one error in its three-game winning streak.

Out of the circle, Sarah Vertelka pitched phenomenally in her last two outings. In eight innings, she pitched 11 strikeouts, giving up no runs on only three hits and one walk. Senior Val George, who has pitched the most innings for Kansas, leads the staff with 137 strikeouts in 129 innings pitched.

“They’re both getting a start,” said coach Tracy Bunge of George and Vertelka, “We’re going to need two good pitching performances in order to beat Texas.”

The Texas pitching staff is led by sophomore Brittany Barnhill (20-9), who’s posted a 2.73 ERA so far this season. Last year, Kansas was able to put up three runs in four innings against Barnhill in an 8-1 victory.

“Barnhill has improved a lot since her freshman year,” Bunge said. “She stays around the plate and I’ve told our hitters to not be overly aggressive, we can’t chase and we’ve got to hit good pitches.”

— — Edited by Sonya English