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Volume 126 Issue 86
Monday, March 3, 2014
kansan.com
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COMMENTARY Kansas can still get No.1 seed
KANSAS 65 - OKLAHOMA STATE 72
Jayhawks miss their 'opportunity to celebrate'
Senior pitcher Frank Duncan led the Jayhawks' weekend in Grand Prairie, Texas. Duncan tossed more than nine innings, gave up no runs and struck out 10 batters while walking none.
FILE PHOTO/KANSAN
You're probably thinking that these stats are from past years and they don't mean anything to our team this year, but why mess with history?
History tells us that no No. 1 seed has ever lost in the opening round of the tournament, but that three No. 2 seeds have lost their opening game in the last two tournaments alone. The last team to accomplish that feat was Florida Gulf Coast against Georgetown in the 2013 tournament, showing there's some parity in the field of 64 teams and that any team can lose on any given day.
Like all Jayhawk fans, I don't want that day to come for the Jayhawks in the 2014 NCAA tournament. If Kansas players can perform at a high level during the conclusion of this regular season and earn a No.1 seed over a No.2 seed, maybe it never will.
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Edited by Chelsea Mies
Kansas went 3-1 against Houston Baptist this weekend, suffering their first loss of the season in the first leg of their doubleheader Saturday. Junior Robert Kahana got the start for Kansas. He battled through seven strong innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out five.
final 18 batters that he faced on Saturday. Duncan faced only one batter over the minimum in his nine innings of work.
Freshman catcher Michael Tinsley led the Jayhawks offense with two RBIs. Junior outfielder Connor McKay and junior infielder Aaron Hernandez stayed hot, each driving in a run as well. Kansas won by a score of 5-0.
Junior pitcher Wes Benjamin got his second win of the season. Benjamin struggled through six, allowing five runs on 11 hits. Sophomore Taylor Rappaport and freshman Stephen Villines were able to stop the bleeding and shutout Houston Baptist the rest of the way.
"I'm seeing fastballs well," Tinsley said. "Having faced these pitchers in previous attbats, I'm starting to see what's coming."
"We feel like we can beat anyone." Duncan said.
Connor McKay and senior outfielder Tucker Tharp both had the long ball working. The two outfielders hit two run home runs in the second and fourth innings.
Junior outfielders Connor Mckay and Michael Suiter kept the Kansas offense afloat, combining for five hits.
The Jayhawks couldn't convert in clutch situations. They stranded eight runners on bases and failed to score on a bases loaded opportunity in the fifth inning of the contest. Kansas couldn't fight back and score in the final four innings of the game and fell 4-2.
Villines kept his strong to the season alive. Villins has thrown six innings and allowed zero runs. He has walked only two and given up no extra base hits thus far. The side-arming right-hander will prove a strong bridge to senior closer Jordan Piche' going forward.
Kansas had another strong offensive outing on Friday, defeating the Huskies 11-5.
The Jayhawk's offense was able to tally 14 hits on the day, lead by senior designated hitter Dakota Smith with three. Four other players tallied multiple hit games as well.
The Jayhawks finished the weekend strong on Sunday, defeating the Huskies 14-1 in a rain-shortened seven-inning game. Junior pitcher Drew Morovick got the start and the win for Kansas. Morovick went five strong, allowing no runs, striking out four. Piche' and junior Colin Toalson finished out the day on the hill.
Kansas got on the board ear-
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