THE UNIVERSITY OF HAIRY KANSAN
SATURDAY FEBRIARY 7, 2008
SPORTS
5B
LAND (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
Kansas file photo
Preston Land swings against Kansas State during a game on May 5, 2007.
"Looking back on it, I don't know what happened." Land said. "I don't think anybody really can explain what happened. I talked to different coaches and talked to different scouts who saw me and they just said, 'You know, guys have that kind of year.'
Exhausted by his season-long slump, Land took a page out of forerunner Jayhawk Kyle Murphy's book for struggling hitters.
"Getting towards August I was like, 'Wow, this is really boring. I don't have any routine of going to the field every day, practicing every day, working out every day.' So I was so anxious to get back into it," Land said.
of summer baseball.
After hitting, 153 in 2006 for Kansas, Murphy took the following summer off from baseball and went on to hit 332 in 2007. So, Land did the same thing last summer. Instead of heading to the ballpark day-in and day-out as he held his entire life, he took summer classes. In all, Land played in just five games, but there were times he missed the daily grind
In the fall, Land felt like his old self. He returned fresh and found himself working harder, practicing longer and watching more film than he had before. By the end of the fall season, he said, his average was close to .500.
"It helped me mentally," Land said of last season. "I know how bad I can be and I don't want to ever get back there in my career again."
Entering his junior season, Land hopes to live up to the All-Big 12 honors he received last season. If he
can, he'll give Kansas a tremendous boost to its lineup, which already figures to receive consistent production from six of its other starting position players. But even if Land should struggle again, he's proven he can still be an asset on the field.
Despite his subpar offensive numbers last season, Land never let his offense affect his defense. In 400 defensive chances, Land committed just four errors,
posting a .990
fielding percentage — the highest among starting Kansas infelders.
So, while Land must wait two more weeks for a chance to put that last 0-1-for 1-day behind
him, his coach is already counting on him to deliver for Kansas in 2008.
"I'm hopeful that he'll learn from last year and the experiences of what happens when you fail." Price said. "He has all the physical abilities to be a double-digit home run guy for us and be an impact hitter in the middle of that lineup."
Edited by Madeline Hyden
》 BASEBALL
Missouri, Nebraska present challenge in Big 12 North
Tigers enter season as favorite to win conference, but Jayhawks, Wildcats, Cornhuskers have chances to pull ahead
BY TYLER PASSMORE
tpassmore@kansancom
Big 12 North Preview
As the first pitch is about to be thrown in the 2008 season, the Big 12 North features the No. 6 team in the country, the Missouri Tigers. While the Tigers have had recent success, a Nebraska Cornhusker team that knows what it takes to get to Omaha will test them. With a wide variety of teams in the Big 12 competing for a post-season berth, this may be the deepest the conference has been in recent years.
Missouri Tigers
The University of Missouri will enter the year as Baseball America's 6th team in the country. The Tigers will look to start their trip to Omaha behind the best pitcher in the conference, junior Aaron Crow, Missouri's strong point
long point will be its pitching as it will turn to sophomore Kyle Gibson and junior Rick Zagone, who had
records of 8-3 and 7-2 last season, respectively. If the Tigers can find ways to manufacture runs, they will be in good shape, because they have one of the stronger rotations in the country. Two of those people who will need to produce run support are senior designated hitter Jacob Priday, who hit .297 with 13 long balls last season, and sophomore left fielder Aaron Senne, who hit .289 with 43 runs batted in.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Nebraska Cornhuskers know what it takes to get to Omaha and the College World Series. The key to returning in 2008 will be eliminating their late game meltdowns. The Cornhuskers return with senior starting pitcher Johnny Dorn, who was their best pitcher last year. Joining the team this year
are two players transferring in from successful programs; sophomore pitcher Joe Hatasakl f r o m Arizona
State and senior catcher Cody Neer from Florida. Hatasaki will try to give the starting rotation stability, while Neer will look to contribute
from both behind the plate and in the batter's box. If the Cornhuskers are going to be successful this year, it will be with a variety of new players.
Kansas State Wildcats
T h e e Wildcats enter the 2008 season as a team that might sneak up on others. Kansas State returns a pair of pitchers
junior center fielder Byron Wiley to be successful and build off his 2017 season. In 2007, Wiley led the team in hits, home runs and runs batted in, and his .366 batting average was the best on the team.
who can keep them close with anyone they will play this year. Senior starting pitcher Brad Hutt will look to start things off strong and then the Wildcats will turn to one of the best dosers in the conference, senior Daniel Edwards. Along with decent pitching, the Wildcats will need
Kansas Jayhawks
The Kansas Jayhawks return several players in 2008, while Coach Ritch Price may
have gotten his best recruiting class yet. Some of the key additions will be Free State graduate Travis Blankenship, who pitched at Johnson County Community College last year, and outfielder Jason Brunansky. These new
Jayhawks will add depth to the Hawks in the future, but it will be the veteran players who will carry them now. Leading the way will be senior utility player Ryne Price, who hit .270 with 10 home runs, and redshirt senior left fielder John Allman, who had an average of .333 and had 16 doubles. The Jayhawks will be flying under the radar as the season begins, but very possibly could be a team hoisting a Big 12 trophy as they did two years ago.
Iowa State and Colorado don't field baseball teams, but with only four teams playing baseball in the northern half, this year's Big 12 conference appears strong. While Missouri enters the year as the heavy favorite, the other three teams all have the ability to steal the crown.
Edited by Jared Duncan
All the Places You Can Go...
OMA & University Career Center Career Fair
Tuesday, February 12 & Wednesday, February 13 12:30pm-5:00pm daily Kansas Union
www.kucareerhawk.com
Reception: Feb.12, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
4th Floor Lobby
Presented by the University Career Center in partnership with the Office of Multicultural Affairs
Sponsored by:
AMLI Residential, Cerner Corporation, Cessna Aircraft Company, Coca-Cola, Community Living Opportunities Dillons, Eli Lilly and Company, Enterprise Rent-a-Car KU Alumni Association, M&I Bank, Philip Morris USA, Renaissance Financial, Sherwin Williams Company State Street, Westar Energy
...contributing to student success
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