PAGE 6B
THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
BASEBALL
Jayhawks confident heading into conference play
SHANE JACKSON
sports@kansan.com
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Junior right fielder Connor McKay slides into second base after a double to left field on May 1, 2013. McKay and Kansas play their first home game on March 12 after several cancellations due to weather.
The Jayhawks may have suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Houston Baptist, but they still came away with the series victory taking three of the four. Now, the Jayhawks are off to their best start in program history, at 11-1, doing it all on the road.
"It starts with experience," coach Ritch Price said. "Most of these guys started a year ago and they know how to compete and prepare properly, especially on the road."
But even for a team that is off to its best start in school history, and which was picked to finish last in its preseason conference polls, the layhawks still feel as if they have something to prove. Kansas will most certainly have that opportunity in its final road series against perennial national powerhouse Stanford (5-7).
"I saw their recruiting class was second in the country, and I put them on the schedule because I wanted to see the arm strength of their pitching before we went to Texas," Price said. "They and Texas are arguably the best pitching staffs in the country"
Offensively, the Jayhawks will be put to the test, but they have shown they can handle the pressure. Through the first 12 games, everyone has stepped up and contributed when needed. They rank fifth in the nation with a team average of .333.
"A lot of guys have stepped
up and filled roles," outfielder Connor McKay said. "The top of our lineup does a great job getting on the base, everyone is executing and I feel like one through nine we have a solid lineup."
The Stanford Cardinal is no stranger to offense either, as it is led by top draft-pick prospects third baseman Alex Blandino and outfielder Austin
"With any team we expect them to be good," said starting pitcher Wes Benjamin. "My game plan stays the same and it is just to fill the zone and throw strikes."
Slater. Blandino is hitting 429 with 12 RBIs, while Slater is hitting 368 and 10 RBIs.
Benjamin is going to have his hands full as the ace takes the mound against this offense in
game one on Friday night. The left-handed junior has posted a 6.52 ERA, but is 2-0 in his three starts.
Robert Kahana remains the number two starter, and will take the mound in game two on Saturday. He sits at 1-1 with a 4.19 ERA in his first three starts this spring.
+
In the final game of the series, Price will give the ball
to senior right-hander Frank Duncan, who has regained his momentum after his shaky first start. Duncan has posted a 2.31 ERA for a 2-0 record, with a team-leading 27 strikeouts.
If the Jayhawks were to come home with yet another road series victory, they will be more than likely to crack the top 25, just in time for the start of conference play. Kansas will
begin conference play against the University of Texas in a road series next weekend.
"With our home opener coming up and conference play coming up," McKay said, "this could be real good momentum for us."
CHECK OUT KANSAN.COM FOR SPECIAL ONLINE CONTENT
— Edited by Julie Etzler
FOLLOW @KANSANSPORTS FOR SPORTS UPDATES
RockChalkLiving.com
SEARCH ▶ DON'T SETTLE
STUDENT'S PREMIERE HOUSING SITE
PRATT Community College
Why Pratt Community College:
- Affordable
- Blended classes only require you to be on-campus
- Scholarship opportunity of $125 for those enrolled in minimum six credits
- Residence Hall Availability
one day a week
Early Enrollment begins:
Blended Online/Onsite Course
March 24
Course options:
- Traditional General Education Courses
WE'VE GOT YOUR SUMMER COVERED!
2014-2015 tuition is:
Tuition:
- $56 Per Credit Hour In State (plus $39 Per Credit Hour Fee)
• $63 Per Credit Hour Out of State (plus $39 Per Credit Hour Fee)
• $135 Per Credit Hour Online
- $115 Per Credit Hour International (plus $39 Per Credit Hour Fee)
Courses:
- General Psychology
- Principles of Macroeconomics
- Auto Service Techniques
- American History 1865 to present
- Beginning Algebra
- Intermediate Algebra
- Multicultural Study
- General Biology
- Public Speaking
Course dates:
- First mini session: 5/28 - 6/25
- Full session courses: 5/28 - 7/25
- Fundamentals of Chemistry
- College Algebra
- Technical Math
- Developmental Psychology
Microcomp Office Apps 1
Residence Hall Cost:
(This is a blended online/orale course)
- Second mini session: 6/26 - 7/25
- Selected courses may have different dates
- $400 for both summer sessions - must be enrolled in six or more credit hours for each session
- $400 for both summer sessions – must be enrolled in a w or more credit hours for each session
- $275 for one summer session — must be enrolled in six or more credit hours
- $300 per month (June & July only) - no enrollment required
For more information
- Call 620.450.2217
- Email pccadmissions@prattcc.edu
- View the Class Schedule at prattcc.edu under Quick Links
+