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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014
PAGE 11B
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BASEBALL
Kansas prepares for season without former standouts
K. SHANE JACKSON sports@kansan.com
The Jayhawks may have lost their former star players,but the teams hopeful for the upcoming season thanks to new standouts.
GEORGE MULLINI/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Captured the Baker Wildcats 8-0 on
Despite defeating two teams who were higher-ranked than them in the conference tournament, including Oklahoma State, the Jayhawks were not invited to postseason play last season.
Junior outfielder Connor McKay laughs as he walks off the field following a shutout against Baker. The Jayhawks defeated the Baker Wildcats 8-0 on May 1, 2013.
"We fielded basically the youngest team in the conference," said coach Ritch Price. "It was a great learning experience. We were disappointed we didn't make the NCAA tournament, and if we played better on Tuesday nights we would have made it, but I
think it was a foundation and it should help us going forward."
Jayhawk faithfuls will have to say goodbye to former standouts Kevin Kuntz
Another offensive cornerstone will be junior outfielder Connor McKay, who showed his reliability batting.444 this past fall.
"Suitor isn't a fly ball hitter," Price said. "I need him to hit 20 doubles and 5 home runs, in order for us to take the next step offensively. I expect him to be one of the best players in the league if he does that."
"Connor's biggest problem is he fought himself. Hopefully
and Alex DeLeon who were major factors last year. DeLeon knocked in 10 home runs while batting .319, and Kuntz was as good as anybody defensively in the country at the shortstop position.
"We fielded basically the youngest team in the conference. It was a great learning experience."
One player who took that stride was junior outfielder Michael Suitor, who didn't show a lot of power last spring, hitting just one home run in the conference tournament. This past fall Suitor batted in 6 doubles and 2 home runs to lead the way offensively.
But as hard as it may be to replace this dynamic duo, Price feels as if this team may be even better come this spring.
RITCH PRICE Coach
"We didn't have a lot of power outside DeLeon last year, but a lot of guys hit the weight room and showed improvement in the fall," Price said.
he has matured and he can be more consistent. I think he could have a year like DeLeon did, if he has," Price said.
There won't be a question about who takes the mound on Friday nights as Wes Benjamin has all but locked up the ace role to lead a very talented Kansas rotation this spring.
"Benjamin is clearly our number one. He is one of the best pitchers around, but we got guys like Robert Kahana who had a really good fall, and Frank Duncan who is projected as preseason first-team all-conference," Price said. "He is a guy who could put us into the NCAA tournament if he pitches to his ability."
Coming out of the bullpen
is former Big 12 newcomer of the year Jordan Piche' who recorded a 1.68 ERA and tallied 12 saves last year and is expected to be one of the best closers in the conference this spring.
Only time will tell if the Jayhawks can build on last year's success, but with a schedule consisting of 18 teams that finished the year with an RPI in the top 100, and 13 games against teams who qualified
"Jordan's makeup is off the charts. His work ethic is as good as anyone we have ever had. He is a very special kid, and I expect him to have a better year this year," Price said.
for the NCAA tournament. Price will certainly find out what kind of ball club he has fairly quickly.
Edited by Callan Reilly
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