Friday, April 21, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 3
Kansas sports briefs
BASEBALL
Baseball team to battle Texas Tech's offense
The Kansas pitching staff's ERA is more than a full point lower than Texas Tech's, so it would seem that the 'Hawks would have the advantage when the Red Raiders come to Houston Ballpark this weekend.
But maybe not. Coach Bobby Randall said those numbers were deceiving.
"Texas Tech's pitching has always carried them, and they know it," he said. "Our home ballpark is an offensive one where their pitching numbers seem a lot lower. The numbers are skewed. The stats don't tell the true story."
The real story is that Texas Tech (25-18 and 13-8 in Big 12 Conference) is tied for third place in the Big 12, five spots ahead of Kansas (21-21 and 7-14 in Big 12).
The Raiders boast one of the top offensive games in the conference with a .307 overall batting average, highlighted by Chaz Eiguren, who has homered eight times with 56 RBI.
And thats Randall's main concern.
"We are here with a lot of offensive confidence," he said. "But I'm hopeful that our starting pitches will match up with them well. Pete Smart, Rusty Philbrick and Brandon O'Neal are strong and tough enough to fight them."
The 'Hawks recorded only 1.9 hits in a three-game series last weekend against Oklahoma and hit in just two runs against Missouri pitch
ers in Tuesday's loss, Inconsistencies have been a problem for Kansas all season, and Randall wants that to change.
"At this point in the season, it's not an easy adjustment," he said. "They know what to do, but I can't beat it in their heads. The new guys are surprised that the hitting is harder than they thought, but they need to get over the shock and get on track."
Senior Shane Wedd, who cranked his fifth home run Tuesday, is back on track — and he thinks Kansas is too.
"Tech is a solid team, but as in any conference series, we're going to be ready to win a few," he said.
Kansas plays at 7 tonight, at 2 p.m. tomorrow and at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Amanda Kaschube
Softball team to face Cyclones tomorrow
With the Big 1.2 Conference softball tournament in view, there is a sense of urgency among the Jayhawks.
SOFTBALL
Because only the top six teams receive a bye in the Big 12 tournament, the Kansas softball team will be looking to improve its 3-9 conference record in a twogame series at Jayhawk Field this weekend against Iowa State.
"As of right now being in the bottom, we don't have a good seed going into the tournament," said leftfielder Christi Musser. "These two games are huge for us. Every win will be a benefit and every loss can hurt us."
Although the Cyclones are only batting,253 as a team,they are led offensively by senior outfielder Lisa Frank who is batting. 513
Kansas is in eighth place in the conference, and Iowa State is ninth. Iowa State is in a similar situation as the 'Hawks at 3-10 in the Big 12 and is coming off a loss earlier this week.
week.
The Jayhawks lost a doubleheader to Southwest Missouri State on Wednesday, and the Cyclones lost to Nebraska 6-0 on Tuesday. The Saturdays are only batting .251.
outfielder Haika Hark who is batting 402 Centerfielder Shelly Mussel is batting. 301 for the Jayhawks and expects nothing less than a battle to win both games against the Cyclones.
opportunities.
"You always look forward to playing the Big 12 teams," Musser said. "Besides good competition, we expect two wins."
The games will be at 1 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday at Jayawk Field.
Golfers to end KU careers at Big 12 Championship
WOMEN'S GOLF
When senior Kansas golfer Sue Tessary tues off today in the first round of the Big 12 Conference Championship in Lubbock, Texas, it will be the beginning of the end of a memorable golfing career at Kansas.
you go there.
Tessary and senior Carrie Padden will compete in their last tournaments as Jayhawks today. And although Tessary said her career hadn't turned out exactly how she pictured, she wouldn't change a thing.
"I can't say that I will miss it or say that I regret anything, but I'm looking forward to being a normal student and finally having time to have a life," Tessary said. "It hasn't really hit me yet that this is it, that this is last time I'll travel with the team or even practice a round. This definitely marks the end of an important chapter in my life."
But before Tessayi can close the final chapter of her collegiate golfing career, she will have to give an encore performance at the biggest tournament of the year.
The Hawks head into the Big 12 Championship after a disappointing ninth-place finish at their last tournament.
Nine Big 12 teams are ranked in the Top 50, and coach Nicole Hollingworth said that if the 'Hawks hoped to have any chance this week end, it would take a concentrated team effort.
"We have to have everyone play to their potential in order for us to be in contention," Hollingsworth said. "The players have come a long way, and I just hope we can put it all together for the three days we're down here."
If history is any indication, the 'Hawks will have their hands full. At the last two Big 12 Championships, Kansas failed to contend for the title, finishing ninth in 1998 and 11th last year.
"I haven't had much success at the Big 12 Championships," Tessay said. "But this it, I want to make sure I leaving everything out on the golf course and know that I played to the best of my ability."
Michael Terry
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Pride gets three awards at basketball banquet
Senior forward Lynn Pride won three awards last night at the women's basketball banquet, including the Lynette Woodard Most Valuable Player award.
Pride, who also was awarded the steal leader
Pride: Honored as the Lynette Woodard Most Valuable Player
throw percentage awards, led the Jayhawks in scoring, steals and blocks this season. She ended her career as the fifth all-time leading scorer, third all-time leading rebounder and fourth in both steals and blocks.
Junior Jennifer Jackson collected the academic award, the assist leader award and the Jackie Martin most
inspiration award. Jackson led the team with 3.3 assists per game last season. Junior forward Jaclyn Johnson won the Vickie Adkins rebounding award, leading the team with 8.1 rebounds per game, and the defensive award.
Sophomore Katie Hannon won the Adrian Mitchell sportsmanship award, while freshman Jamie Shelite won the Sheila Ullmann coach's award. Freshman Kristen May won the most improved player award.
— Kansan staff report
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