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PAGE 8
MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SOFTBALL
Kansas falls to Texas Tech in weekend series
The Jayhawks battled through close games this weekend in the homestand series against Texas Tech, but failed to come up with a victory.
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In the first matchup on Thursday, Texas Tech pulled an early 3-0 lead over the Jayhawks. Kansas came running back, narrowing the Red Raider to 3-2. That was the closest the Jayhawks
would come in that game. Every time Kansas would score, the Red Raiders would be one step ahead. Texas Tech took the game 7-5.
On Friday, the Red Raiders needed extra time to pull off the win. In the seventh inning, Texas Tech rallied from one run down to take the game to extra innings. The team's hot streak continued well into the ninth, beating the Javihawks 9-7.
Kansas junior pitcher Alicia Pille and Texas Tech sophomore pitcher Gretchen Aucoin. Both pitchers allowed three hits and struck out seven batters. The difference was Texas Tech's freshman infielder Cassie McClure. McClure hit a homerun in the fourth inning, the lone run of the game.
The third game on Saturday was a pitching duel between
Kansas suits up again April 25. The Jayhawks travel to Waco, Texas, to take on the Baylor Bears.
Amie Just
Kansas will just be a small part of that.
Let's rewind for a second just to make sure you can understand who Cliff Alexander is.
Like most, it's a rivalry rooted in pride, each side believing they are the most righteous and willing to do whatever it takes to prove it. And although Cliff Alexander and Jahil Okafor are carrying the same expectations as they enter college for what will likely be one year, they'll be measured against each other for as long as they play.
Chicago players' rivalry continues after high school
There's a rivalry coming to the University of Kansas. One that began only a few years ago, but is already fierce.
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Alexander is a 6-foot-9-inch, 240-pound McDonald's All-American power forward from Curie Metropolitan High School in Chicago who was voted the Naismith Prep Player of the Year. As of early November, he is also one of the latest additions to the Jayhawks. And for whatever it's worth, he's a top five recruit from this year's class and a lottery pick in most 2015 mock drafts.
Unofficially, Alexander led Curie to a city title with 24 victories. Yet, Curie's roster featured a few academically ineligible players and the
He just as easily could've given that distinction to Alexander, but that doesn't mean he can't steal it away.
the Chicago Tribune called Okafor, "Chicago's next great basketball ambassador," following in the footsteps of Derrick Rose, Anthony Davis and Jabari Parker.
Don't get this twisted either. Just because the two have a fierce rivalry doesn't mean they aren't friendly. Haugh reported that Okafor and Alexander often send Snapchats to each other.
After battling each other for the last four years, the two won't play each other before reaching the NBA, unless something magical happens next March.
Still, that desire to be Chicago's best is getting set to move to the college stage. For Alexander that'll be at Kansas — more than likely replacing Joel Embiid — while Okafor heads off to Duke.
If that game does happen, this one will be more than Jayhawks versus Blue Devils.
Eight miles from where Alexander was tearing down rims at Curie, Okafor was putting on a similar performance at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School.
No, this will be personal. And it will only be a chapter in a rivalry that won't be fading anytime soon.
school was forced to forfeit its season.
As far as big men go, Alexander appears to be a prototypical Bill Self player: a raw athlete with a big frame and natural talent. And in any other year the recently named Mr. Basketball USA — the first Chicagoan to hold the title since Kevin Garnett in 1995 — would be the king of his sport in his hometown. Of course, that wouldn't be fair to Jahlil Okafor.
Edited by Amber Kasselman
Okafor is a McDonald's All-American, Illinois Mr. Basketball and owns a state championship ring.
The line between Alexander and Okafer may as well come down to a matter of opinion. Very rarely is one talked about in Chicago without mentioning the other, but in late March, David Haugh of
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