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It’s a long way to the top (if you want to be No. 1)

By Josh Bowe

Friday, May 1, 2009

Down the stretch they come, a neck-and-neck finish in sight. Back and forth they go.

But it accurately describes the horserace that is the Big 12 standings. Entering the final month of conference play, Kansas (31-15, 10-8) sits at fifth place, and only three victories behind leader Texas A&M.

It’s why the season’s end, and more importantly this weekend’s matchup against second place Oklahoma (33-12, 11-7), is more crucial than ever before. With nine Big 12 games remaining, Kansas has an opportunity to earn the most Big 12 victories in coach Ritch Price’s tenure.

photo

Matt Bristow

Sophomore infielder Tony Thompson gets a high-fives after crossing home plate during the Jayhawks' April 28 game against Chiago State.

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THIS WEEKEND

WHO: Kansas vs. Oklahoma

WHEN: Norman, Okla.

Game 1: Today, 6:30 p.m.

Game 2: Saturday, 2 p.m.

Game 3: Sunday, 1 p.m.

The previous best was in 2006, when the Jayhawks’ total was at 13. Coincidently, that was also the season Kansas won the Big 12 Conference tournament championship.

Unfortunately for the Jayhawks, seven of their nine remaining Big 12 series will be away from Lawrence.

“One thing we have not done lately is we have not played well on the road,” Price said. “Our record on the road has not been good, our starting pitching has not been good on the road.”

Kansas has only a 5-10 record on the road. In fact, only freshman starter Lee Ridenhour has picked up a victory on the road against Big 12 competition. It was the only victory for starting pitchers on the road.

Price suggests that now that junior right-hander Shaeffer Hall and sophomore right-hander T.J. Walz have experienced road games, their performance, along with Ridenhour’s, will improve.

“Walz and Hall and Ridenhour have now had the opportunity to go to Texas A&M, to go to Texas Tech,” Price said. “Hopefully we’re going to continue to build off those experiences and we’ll get better production these last three weekends.”

Sophomore third baseman Tony Thompson has been equally, if not more reliable this season. However, Thompson has found himself in something he’s rarely been in all season: a slump. Thompson has batted .143 over his last games (3-for-21) and hasn’t had an RBI since Baker back on April 21.

Thompson isn’t worried or pressing however. His batting average is still .356, and a slump is expected during a long season.

“I just need to make better pitch selection and hopefully it’ll get better in the next couple of games,” Thompson said. “I think I can get through it as long as I keep doing what I’m doing.”

Price took the same approach as Thompson did regarding his mini-slump. In 17 games before his slump, Thompson had at least one hit in 16 of them. Price said he expects Thompson to pick that rate back up sooner rather then later.

“I think he’s been a little too aggressive in the last week where he’s swinging at a lot of first pitch outs,” Price said. “I think he needs to go back and be more patient and let the game come to him. Hopefully he can get hot again.”

The reason why Kansas has won five of its last six games, however, is the production from the bottom of the lineup. Price has harped on his bottom order needing to contribute, and freshman first baseman Zac Elgie, senior first baseman Preston Land, and sophomore outfielder Casey Lytle have all done their part.

“The reason we’re swinging the bat better is we have our team batting average up over .300,” Price said. “It’s a byproduct, I think, of the experience the young guys have gotten. Now they’re not playing like freshman.”

Sophomore outfielder Brian Heere has seen the young players like himself grow throughout the season. He said the maturation of this season’s team has led to the success. Problem is, they’re going to have to sustain it to finish well this season.

“Being on the road, you can easily get down on yourself. It’s going to take maturity to keep your head up if you’re struggling or just to grind through it,” Heere said. “Hopefully we’ll peak at the right point.”

— — Edited by Melissa Johnson

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