Friday, February 20, 2009
As with any college sport, nonconference games are crucial to finding the identity of a team, especially one as young as the Jayhawks.
Kansas officially opens its season this afternoon against Air Force at USA Stadium in Millington, Tenn.
Redshirt sophomore pitcher Brett Bochy works through a spring training drill with other infield players at Hoglund Park on Wednesday.
“We are going to try to use that road trip as a barometer and see what lies ahead of us for conference play,” coach Ritch Price said.
It will be hard to tell before this first game what Kansas is capable of doing. A revamped starting rotation along with a new outfield are major uncertainties before today’s game. Junior starter Shaeffer Hall is expected to take the mound and lead the young staff, while fifth-year senior Nick Faunce will command leadership of the young outfielders while playing in center.
breakbox
SEASON OPENER: Kansas vs. Air Force Millington, Tenn. 1:00 PM USA Stadium
breakbox
Kansas State Wildcats
Preseason Ranking: Unranked, 9th in Big 12
Kansas State lost a lot of talent, particularly from its pitching staff, from last year’s 29-29 (11-16 Big 12) team. The Wildcats’ 11 conference wins and tie for sixth in the conference in 2008 were their highest finishes in six seasons. Their effort to repeat their success must come without the aid of honorable mention All-Big 12 pitcher Brad Hutt, who graduated, and No. 2 starter Justin Murray, who was selected in the 29th round of the 2008 MLB draft. Sophomore Thomas Rooke will provide relief out of the bullpen for the fresh faces in the rotation after posting a 5-1 record with a 3.59 ERA as a freshman. Junior infielder Justin Bloxom will anchor the Wildcats’ lineup, leading all returnees with a .288 average and eight home runs.
“They don’t have a lot of experience at the Big 12 level,” Faunce said. “But they all know how to play the position and I have a whole lot of faith in them.”
The level of competition this weekend certainly isn’t going to be at the level the Jayhawks will see in the Big 12 Conference. Air Force finished 18-33 last season, their best finish since 2002. In 2006, they finished an appalling 8-44. So the young Kansas players shouldn’t be too intimidated or nervous to start the season today.
While the pitching has to improve to make up for the new lineup, Price has raved about how talented the young arms are, and the key will be the development of those pitchers if Kansas is to have any chance to repeat the magic of the 2006 Big 12 championship season.
“The kids we brought in have the best arms of any freshman class by far,” Price said. “It gives us hope for the future, it gives us something to build on, but I’ve been really pleased by the freshman arms.”
But what lies ahead after this weekend could make some knees shake.
During a two-week stretch in March, Kansas will play host to national powerhouses Arizona State, Texas and Texas A&M. If Kansas can come out of this weekend unscathed it might be able to pose a challenge to these nationally rated programs.
“That may be the toughest two weeks anyone in America is going to play,” Price said. “We’re certainly going to have to be ready by the middle of March to be able to compete.”
— — Edited by Casey Miles
Faunce expects to lead young team in ...
Fifth-year senior exudes leadership and bats at the top of the order ...
Freshmen pick Kansas over pros
Elgie and Ridenhour take extend their amateur status, adding talent in multiple ...
Big 12 baseball season looks bright
Weather can't stop the start of the Jayhawks' new season.
Jayhawks enter season with experience
Putting last season’s disappointment behind them, team members look forward to a ...
Baseball team releases schedule
Nobody will be able to doubt the strength of the Kansas baseball ...
Junior fills leadership void
Strong-handed players
The wind usually blows into left field at Hoglund Ballpark, giving right-handed ...
Hall leads new starting rotation for Jayhawks
Left-hand pitcher likely to be an important player this season
Foes and friends, Kansas seniors have shared ...
Kansan baseball players Erik Morrison and Ryne Price have a long history ...
Jayhawks hope to regain swagger
Baseball team hopes a victory over Northern Colorado will get them back ...
Tigers ready to pounce in Big 12
Women’s tennis serves up a young roster
Kansas baseball team begins practice today
Rules established by the NCAA Baseball Issues Committee standardized the season openers ...
Coach starts small to dream big
Coach Ritch Price reflects on his experiences throughout the years that led ...
It’s a long way to the top ...
Baseball team must improve its record on the road if it wants ...
Dent: New K-State coach a mixed blessing
K-State might be good in spite of Martin next season, but success ...
Kansas seniors play last home game
The softball team will take on Texas A&M in make up games ...
Next two conference series crucial for Jayhawks
The Jayhawks still have to play the Wildcats and tigers to clinch ...
Tennis team’s competition strengthens
Jayhawks are prepared to face a stronger Iowa State and Nebraska in ...
Baseball team hopes for a strong tournament
The Jayhawks are looking to bounce back after a difficult start.
Baseball’s comeback not enough for win
Baseball faces K-State tonight after losing to Missouri last weekend. Next year’s ...
Kansas baseball hopes to improve for the ...
The Jayhawk baseball team hasn’t started a season at 2-4 since 1999. ...
Kansas baseball debuts new starting rotation
New prospective freshmen are playing their first game in Nashville this weekend
Baseball bench productive in subpar season
Jayhawks have come off the bench for the Kansas baseball team to ...
Baseball doesn’t control its postseason
The Jayhawks' hopes are dependent on how Oklahoma, Baylor and Texas Tech ...
Kansas baseball reaches it pivotal point
The Jayhawks face a weekend of play that will either make or ...
Bragging rights at stake tonight in Columbia
Women hope for a win at Missouri to build momentum for the ...
Baseball team hosts struggling Dolphins
After a weekend in which they scored 21 runs in two victories, ...
Kansas balances on edge
Jayhawks fly toward top of Big 12 ...
With a record of 22-16, Kansas baseball has gained momentum since its ...
Freshman pitcher helps KU baseball to victory
The team defeated the No. 21 Arkansas Razorbacks 9-3.
Baseball to face North Dakota State
Coach Ritch Price says the team has to do well this weekend ...
Jayhawks’ leadoff hitter starts the spark
The men’s baseball team’s center fielder shows his versatility for the team.
Jayhawks begin home-field stretch
Improvement in pitching starters and relief from fielders will continue success in ...
Women's Big 12 dominates in basketball
Rowing finishes fourth in Big 12
Despite starting strong, Kansas - and everyone else - was swept by ...
Women’s tennis finishes winless in Big 12
Kansas will look to rebound in Big 12 Championships.
Kansas hosts three-game series against Texas Tech
The Jayhawks hope to end their four-game losing streak this weekend.
Big 12 recap
Sports writer Tim Dwyer recaps the best of the Big 12 season.
Senior Ryne Price to play right field
Although Price’s position has changed, his philosophy hasn’t.
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID