PAGE 12
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
+
MISSY MINEAR/KANSAN
Senior first baseman Maddie Stein rounds second base during the first game of the series against Texas on March 27. The Jayhawks lost 0-6 at Arrocha Field.
Kansas softball looks to rebuild its momentum against Tulsa
DEREK SKILLETT
@derek_skillett
After losing last weekend's series against the Texas Tech Red Raiders, the Jayhawks (33-7, 4-5) look to get back on track with a two-game, out-of-conference series against the Tulsa Hurricanes.
"We went on the road and had three tough games and battled in all three. The losses were tough, because they were one-run losses. We've been pretty successful in one-run games this year. We've kind
The Jayhawks dropped out of both national top-25 rankings this weekend after only winning one game in last weekend's three-game series against Texas Tech. Kansas defeated Texas Tech 11-9 last Saturday, but struggled to answer runs from the Red Raiders, losing 7-8 Friday and 4-5 Sunday.
of flirted with that for a while and come out on top and we couldn't pull it out this past weekend," coach Megan Smith said.
The Jayhawks outhit the Red Raiders in nearly all of this past weekend's games, but were unable to score runs in late innings, pushing across only a combined four runs in the last two innings of all three games.
The Jayhawks will travel to Tulsa, Okla., this weekend to face the Tulsa Hurricanes (26-15, 8-4). The Jayhawks will play the Hurricanes on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
"We've challenged our players to fight more so at the beginnings of the games," Smith said. "I felt that at Texas Tech, we kind of waited around a little bit, especially in the last game. So we're going to lock in on being tougher early in the games."
The Hurricanes boast an impressive 26-15 record this season and hold a 6-3 record at home, with some notable losses coming against No. 2 Oregon by a score of 4-2 and to No. 14 Baylor by a score of 2-0. The Hurricanes have also won four of their last six games.
Senior Julie Kernen has a .362 batting average and leads the team with 46 hits, 14 doubles, 10 home runs and 52 RBIs. Senior Erica Sampson ranks third on the team with a .343 batting average, but leads the team with 48 runs scored and has recorded 47 hits, eight home runs and 27 RBIs.
"Tulsa is a tough team. They're a great offensive team, they have a lot of offensive threats, a lot of power in the lineup," Smith said. "Their pitching staff is very balanced, they have three pitchers that have thrown about the same
amount of innings and have an under-three ERA. Just a quality team from a really good conference."
Tulsa's pitching staff is led by freshman Emily Watson, who boasts a 2.40 ERA and has recorded 67 strikeouts while allowing 66 hits and 31 runs scored. Junior Caitlin Sill ranks second on the pitching staff with a 2.68 ERA and has recorded 62 strikeouts while allowing 90 hits and 43 runs scored.
Senior Bailey Erwin rounds out the rotation for the Hurricanes and boasts a 2.88 ERA while recording 89 strikeouts while allowing 107 hits and 48 runs scored. After this weekend, the Jayhawks will get a midweek game against SIU-Edwardsville before beginning a huge weekend series against the No. 5 Oklahoma Sooners.
Edited by Laura Kubicki
Baseball resumes conference play against Texas
EVAN RIGGS @EvanRiggs15
After taking a one-game break from conference play, the Jayhawks (15-22, 3-6) will host the Texas Longhorns (19-18, 6-6) this weekend.
These two teams are going opposite directions, as the Longhorns limp into Lawrence after losing 10 of their last 12 games, while the Jayhawks have won four of their last six contests.
The Jayhawks pitching staff has been much improved during their hot streak. Their starters only gave up three earned runs in three games to Oklahoma State and just three runs last night to Missouri State and will be key going forward.
"We've gotten better every week of the season," coach Ritch Price said. "I like our team. If our pitching keeps making progress, we'll be real good before [the season is] over."
Fielding was another big reason for the Jayhawks' wins last weekend against Oklahoma State. In their wins they had no errors, and they had no errors in the loss last night.
"Everybody just competes and makes plays," senior first baseman Blair Beck said. "Skip [Price] always harps on getting 27 outs. If we continue to do that, we will be tough to beat."
In Big 12 play, the Longhorns are eighth in the conference with a .242 batting average, but they do have some strong bats
in their lineup. Outfielder Ben Johnson is seventh in the conference with 15 hits, and outfielder Collin Shaw is fourth in home runs with two.
Shaw will be a player to watch for the Longhorns. He has had a spectacular season from the plate with three home runs and 27 RBI's. Catcher Tres Barrera is another dangerous hitter the Jayhawks will have to deal with; he has five home runs and 21 RBIs this season.
Last weekend the Jayhawks faced the best pitching staff in the conference in Oklahoma State, who has a 1.92 era. This weekend, they will try to solve the Longhorns pitching, which ranks second in the Big 12 with a 2.63 ERA.
Although the Jayhawks have had some young players step up this season, the veterans have been the driving force. Beck and sophomore catcher Michael Tinsley have been the Jayhawks' best players this season. Beck has six home runs, 28 RBIs and 21 walks drawn. Tinsley has two home runs, 30 RBIs and 21 walks drawn.
In conference play, senior outfielder Dakota Smith has been a valuable source of power for the Jayhawks. He ranks fourth in the Big 12 with three home runs in conference play.
The Jayhawks will try to continue their winning ways at Hogland Ballpark. They play Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 6 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Edited by Callie Byrnes
5
- all new units
One Bedroom, Washer & Dryer Amenities
- small pet friendly
($35/month under 15 lbs)
- energy efficient
- ceiling fan in living room
- full sized washer and dryer
- vaulted ceiling in upper apartments
+
- Public/KU Transport (6th
and Wakarusa
Apartment on Sixth
5100 West Sixth Lawrence, KS 66049
785. 856.3322
www.apartmentonsixth.com
:
+