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THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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Softball prepares for weekend battle with Oklahoma
DEREK SKILLETT
@derek skillett
The Jayhawks softball team (34-8, 4-5) will get its toughest test of Big 12 conference play this weekend as it prepares to take on the No. 5 Sooners. Kansas will play Oklahoma at 5 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday at Arrocha Ballpark in Rock Chalk Park.
The layhawks are coming off a midweek victory against the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars. They defeated the Cougars by a score of 6-4 but had to rely on some clutch pitching from sophomore Sophia Templin
to close it out.
Junior Chaley Brickey leads the Jayhawks with 57 hits and 12 home runs. Senior Maddie Stein ranks second on the team with 48 hits and 14 doubles.
"We have to focus on ourselves," coach Megan Smith said. "Oklahoma, every single year, is a top-five team. We have to focus on us and what we need to do to be successful, whether that's playing good defense, fighting through adversity and having quality at-bats."
The Sooners (39-6, 11-1) have won seven of their
past eight games, including series wins against the Texas Longhorns and the No. 14 Baylor Bears. While the Sooners do not have many losses, they have consistently competed against the best teams in the country, losing games to No. 14 Georgia and No. 3 LSU.
"Oklahoma has one of the best offenses in the country," Smith said. "They have two players who are top-five in the NCAA home run records. They have a freshman pitcher who has been lights out. They play great defense and they expect to win every time they
go out onto the field."
Offensively, powerhouse senior Lauren Chamberlain, who will enter the weekend with a 409 batting average and has recorded 47 hits, 54 runs scored, 18 home runs and 54 RBIs this season, will lead the Sooners. Earlier this month, Chamberlain tied the NCAA record for most career home runs. She has racked up 90 home runs during her career.
Junior Erin Miller will enter the weekend boasting a .427 batting average and has recorded 50 hits, 42 runs scored and 43 RBIs this
season. Junior Kady, Self is another offensive contributor for the Sooners. Self comes to Lawrence with a .417 batting average and has recorded 45 hits, 38 runs scored, nine home runs and 35 RBIs this season.
Freshman pitcher Paige Parker leads the Oklahoma pitching staff with a 1.49 ERA and has recorded 158 strikeouts and allowed 100 hits and 36 scores. Parker has compiled a 20-4 record this season. Junior Kelsey Stevens is the second most accomplished pitcher for the Sooners. Stevens owns a 3.77
ERA and has recorded 67 strikeouts, while allowing 47 hits and 40 scores.
we have a team that can compete with Oklahoma," Smith said. "Our coaching staff believes it and the players believe it when they step out there."
Up next, the Jayhawks will get a Tuesday matchup with the Wichita State Shockers before hosting the No.14 Baylor Bears next weekend. The Wichita State game will be broadcast on Jayhawk Television and ESPN3.
— Edited by Mackenzie Clark
The Kansas rowing team will compete in the Big 12 and Big Ten Double Dual on Saturday. The regatta will be the first Big 12 competition for the Javhawks this season.
FILE PHOTO
Kansas rowing set to compete in first conference regatta
GRIFFIN HUGHES
@GriffinJHughes
After a successful weekend in New Jersey at the Knecht Cup, the rowing team is set to compete in the Big 12 and Big Ten Double Dual on Saturday.
After Kansas' First Varsity Eight boat was selected as the Big 12 Boat of the Week, coach Rob Catloth's team is heading to Kansas City with high hopes for the Big 12 competition.
The team finished strong at the Knecht Cup, never finishing below fourth in any final event in the tournament in West Windsor Township, N.J. The First Varsity Eight boat won the Petite Final in the Knecht Cup, so the boat, led by seniors Claudijah Lever and Brooke Thuston, will have an impressive performance to follow up in the last April tournament.
The weather for the regatta in Kansas City, Kan., is supposed to be a little better than the windy conditions and choppy waters the team ran into in New Jersey. There is a 40 percent chance
of precipitation during the regatta this weekend; however, the temperature is expected to be in the mid-60s and low 70s - perfect rowing conditions.
For the Jayhawks to have success in the regatta, they'll need to see contributions from their Second Varsity Eight boat and their Varsity Four boats. Catloth and the team are acutely aware they need contributions from all the teams, and it all starts with the leaders on the boats. All season, Lever has been the leader on the water and in the weight room, and the team continues to look to her as a source of leadership.
The Big 12 and Big Ten Double Dual marks the beginning of Big 12 competition for the Jayhawks, which will run through May 17 when they compete in the Big 12 Championships in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Next up for the Jayhawks after April 25 is the Sunflower Showdown in Kansas City, Kan. on May 2.
- Edited by Mackenzie Clark
FILE PHOTO
This week, Kansas' First Varsity Eight boat was selected as the Big 12 Boat of the Week after not finishing below fourth place in any final event at the Knecht Cup in New Jersey.
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