Kansas catcher returns after injury
Junior Buck Afenir hit his first homerun during Saturday’s doubleheader
His renewed presence allows right field to get its player back and gives Jayhawks their strongest possible lineup.
By Tyler Passmore (Contact)
Monday, March 10th, 2008
After being out since February 29th with a hamstring injury, junior catcher Buck Afenir put a ball into orbit on his first plate appearance back. Afenir hurt himself attempting to get a triple and has been on the shelf ever since. A
Afenir’s first homerun of the year brought his average to .409 for the season and helped spark the Jayhawks to a 13-0 victory in the first game of the double header on Sunday.
Photo by Weston White
Senior catcher Ryne Price blocks a pitch in the dirt keeping the runner stranded at second base. Price drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning, finishing with two hits and two RBI. Kansas won 4-3 Saturday afternoon against North Dakota State University in extra innings.
“I have been waiting a week and I was just foaming at the mouth.” Afenir said. “I think I’m back to 100 percent, I felt real comfortable behind the plate.”
The Escondido, Calif., native hit .286 last year with 8 homeruns and started 43 games behind the plate. Buck’s dependability is an element that the Jayhawks hold him accountable for, because he allows senior Ryne Price to play right field and the Jayhawks to have the strongest lineup possible.
“Its awesome, I love throwing to Buck, he is a great catcher.” Junior pitcher Nick Czyz said. “He’s really good on the mound when he comes out and talks to me, he knows exactly what I want to throw and he came in with me, so I felt comfortable with him behind the plate today.”
With his pitchers valuing the defense he brings to the table, Afenir is also a force to be reckon with from behind the plate.
“I feel good that he is back, obviously he is one of our best offensive players and makes or lineup stronger when he is there.” Head coach Ritch Price said.
Over his career as a Jayhawk, the injury bug has not affected Afenir and this injury doesn’t look as if it will slow him down.
“I was trying to keep him in around 9 innings so he wouldn’t be sore this week.” Price said. “I think he had been a little tender this weak in practice and I think his mobility was actually better than I expected.”
The Jayhawks will face Tabor this Tuesday and Missouri State on Wednesday before traveling to Austin, Tex., for a series against the Texas Longhorns. Afenir will be needed on both sides of the ball if the Jayhawks are going start off the Big 12 season on a good note.
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