THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN SPORTS
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2005
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Erin Droste/KANSAN
BASEBALL
Jayhawks overwhelm Shockers
Ryne Price, freshman second baseman, throws to first base after tagging out a Wichita State runner on second base during the top of the first inning.
Kansas pummels Wichita State, 13-6 crowd packs ballpark
EriP Droste/KANSAN
Junior center fielder Gus Milner had a career game last night as Kansas pounded Wichita State, 13-6.
Fueled by a season-high 1,322 fans in Hoglund Ballpark, Milner led the Jayhawks on a home run binge. Kansas hit three homers, including two by Milner. His two three-run hits paced the Jayhawkes, who banged out 16 hits. Milner finished the game 4-of-5 with six RBI.
Kansas coach Ritch Price said Milner's performance was one to remember.
"I think it's one of the best games anyone's had since I've been here," Price said.
Milner said he was proud of his big night.
"There's nothing really wrong with a 4-for-5 day and a couple of bombs." Milner said.
Milner's first hit came in the third inning with the Jayhawks leading 1-0. Following an RBI single by junior right fielder A.J. Van Slyke, Milner homered and gave Kansas a 5-0 lead.
It was kind of though coming off the bench on a chilly night like this. I was able to warm up a little bit before I went in the game, and I just put a good swing on the
pitch."
Andy Scholl Senior infielder
Gus Milner, junior center fielder, hits a home run in the bottom of the second inning in last night's 13-6 Kansas victory against Wichita State at Hoglund Ballpark. Milner hit another home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, which went at least 400 feet. He has hit five home runs this season.
After the Shockers pulled to within one run in the fifth inning, senior Andy Scholl hit Kansas' second homer of the game. The three-run hit helped the Jayhawks regain momentum and put the game out of reach.
"It was kind of tough coming off the bench on a chilly night like this," Scholl said. "I was able to warm up a little bit before I went in the game, and I just put a good swing on the pitch."
Price said he was pleased with the offense overall.
Price said he was pleased with the offense overall.
"I thought the last two or three weeks we had swung the bats really well," Price said. "You come into a game like this against somebody that was in the top 25 and you know you'll have to score at least seven runs to win the game."
Wichita State's pitching was ineffective all night. Freshman starter Max Hutson was knocked around early, allowing five earned runs in 2 1/3 innings before being pulled from the game. The Shockers threw four pitches at the Jahawks during the night.
In contrast, Kansas starting pitcher Sean Land pitched two strong innings in his first start since being relegated to the bullpen for last weekend's series at Texas A&M. He struck out three while allowing three hits. He improved his record to 3-2 on the season with the victory.
The Jayhawk pitching staff as a whole was busy. As planned, Price used seven pitchers who combined and allowed six runs on 11 hits. The staff
did its job, giving the Jayhawks a chance to win the game.
"I thought overall we were effective," Price said. "I was a little disappointed that we didn't throw a few more strikes and we let them back in the ball game. Overall I thought the staff was effective."
SEE OVERWHELM ON PAGE 5B
▼ WORDS TO PAPER
JONATHAN KEALING
jkealing@kansan.com
Kansas wins first battle for state supremacy
Back in 1989, a man named Lew Perkins was the athletics director at Wichita State, and Bob Frederick was the athletics director at Kansas.
Wichita State's baseball program was about to win its first and only College World Series, after missing on its previous attempt the year before.
Kansas baseball was about to conclude a 32-35 season, 8-16 in the Big Eight. The Kansas Athletics Department was wrapping up a decade in which two programs — football and basketball — were in major trouble with the NCAA.
Fast-forward 16 years. Perkins is at Kansas leading a department that hasn't faced any trouble since.
During that period of time, though, Jayhawk baseball has had limited success against the Shockers. With only 11 victories in 24 attempts, it's fair to say that Wichita State has dominated most of the series.
During the last 10 years, Kansas managed just five victories in the series.
Last night's 13-6 victory against the Shockers may have proven that Kansas has turned a corner in this series. Coach Ritch Price showed he thought his teams were ready to take on the state's premier college baseball power when he scheduled the team for four games, instead of the two games that the teams have historically played.
"It's about in-state recruiting rights and bragging rights and direction of programs," Price said. "It's really crucial that when you go head-to-head, you play well."
Kansas' previous victories against Wichita State are already producing some successes for Kansas. Junior centerfielder Gus Milner was recruited by both Kansas and Wichita State.
"They turned Gus Milner down. It was us and them and I made a better offer," Price said.
Milner went 4-5 with six RBI. He managed two home runs, one of which left the park and still may not have hit the ground. Price said that last night's victory was a chance for Milner to get even.
"I definitely had personal incentive to do a little better." Milner said.
Wichita State and Kansas also both recruited Damon Sublette, freshman second baseman. He ended up contributing three hits in five at-bats for Wichita State.
Kansas is fortunate to have a team like Wichita State to play in between conference matches, as the talent is no less than that of a Big 12 team.
That's important because Kansas baseball is beginning to show signs of competition in the Big 12 after two seasons of simply hanging around. Last year Kansas was just 7-19 in conference, 9-18 the year before.
SEE KEALING ON PAGE 5B
FOOTBALL
Practice earns Mangino's nod
BY RYAN COLAIANI
rcolaiaanni@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTWRITER
Coach evaluating Jayhawks' options on quarterback position
Kansas coach Mark Mangino called yesterday's practice the team's best of the spring.
The quarterback position saw some changes, as freshman Marcus Herford practiced as a wide receiver. Herford made some spectacular catches at yesterday's practice, including a catch of more than forty yards. He scampered until he was brought down at the five-vard line.
Mangino said he was especially pleased with the offense, as he said he felt the light was coming on.
"We haven't completely divorced him from the quarterback position," Mangino said.
"He (freshman Marcus Herford) is the best athlete we have had at receiver since I have been here."
Mark Mangino Kansas football coach
"We had to look at where does he best help our team for this season. He's not quite ready yet to be the quarterback for us."
After one catch, Herford made move after move to beat defenders and move farther
downfield, turning a short gain into a big one.
"We know this—that he is an awfully talented player and receiver," Mangino said. "I'll tell you this, as far as raw talent, Charles Gordon notwithstanding, he is the best athlete we have had at receiver since I have been here."
While he has worked at wide receiver for just a few days now, he is quickly adapting to the position. Mangino said.
Junior wide receiver Dominic Roux loses control of the ball during a practice drill yesterday afternoon. The football conducted their second open practice at the football practice fields behind Anschutz Sports Pavilion.
"It just a matter of him learning and getting comfortable, but he is a very good athlete, he has an outstanding work ethic, and he certainly is going to be a factor for us." Mangino said.
Stephanie Farley/KANSAN
Mangino said he would try to find a place for Herford's talent on the field, even if it was not at quarterback.
he doesn't care, he just wants to play. Right now he is a lot more comfortable at the receiver position than he is at quarterback."
The team's quarterbacks have also been happy with Herford's play at wide receiver.
SEE PRACTICE ON PAGE 5B
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