THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012
BASEBALL
PAGE 5B
Lack of offense plagues team in Big 12 loss
CLAIRE HOWARD/KANSAN
Kansas' freshman outfielder Connor McKay, gets tagged out by Oklahoma's sophomore catcher, Dylan Neal, as he slides into home during Kansas' series opener.
ANDREW JOSEPH
ajoseph@kansan.com
The Kansas baseball team (17-27, 4-13 Big 12) dropped its second game of the series Saturday night 8-2 to Oklahoma.
In front of a season-best 1,682 people at Hoglund Ballpark, the Jayhawks failed to take advantage of opportunities. Kansas left 10 runners on base in the ball game, including two innings with the bases loaded.
After junior third baseman Jordan Dreiling knocked in the game's first run with a sacrifice fly, the Kansas offense disappeared as Oklahoma pitcher Jonathan Gray pitched a dominant 6.1 innings. Gray's fastball was consistently measured in the mid-90s, and the Kansas hitters could not adjust.
"It's definitely something we haven't really seen much
this year," senior catcher James Stanfield said of Gray's fastball. "But it all comes down to getting ready to hit."
The Sooners jumped ahead of Kansas in the fifth inning when third baseman Max White took an 0-1 pitch from freshman pitcher Wes Benjamin the opposite way for a three-run homer. The home run came with two outs, and Benjamin did not return in the sixth inning.
In a losing effort, freshman pitcher Wes Benjamin put together another quality start. Benjamin went five innings and allowed three runs on five hits, walking three batters. The loss dropped Benjamin to 2-6 on the season, and Stanfield would like to see Benjamin improve in three-ball counts.
"He's pretty mature for a freshman, but there are certain situations when a lefty is up, and White is the next guy after him, it's pretty crucial to get that guy and not get
to him," Stanfield said. "But he did a really good job today for a freshman. He kept us in it."
Despite collecting just four hits in the ball game, the Jayhawks trailed 3-1 heading into the ninth inning with a chance to rally. However, Oklahoma's top-half of the inning ended any chance for a Kansas comeback. The Sooners scored five runs on six hits, which all-but-secured another Big 12 road win.
With Texas Tech defeating Missouri on Saturday night, the Jayhawks and Red Raiders are tied for the final spot in the Big 12 Tournament. Kansas must finish in eighth place or better to qualify for the tournament, which makes Sunday's game against Oklahoma even more important for coach Ritch Price's club.
"Any time we're playing someone in the top 25, we need to pick up a 'w' and stay in contention," Price said. "It will give ourselves an opportunity to get in the thing
BASEBALL
Walks allowed crucial in development of pitcher
late."
Freshman Wes Benjamin struggles with control in 8-2 loss to Oklahoma
MAX LUSH
mlush@kansan.com
Connor McKay, the freshman outfielder makes contact with the ball pitched in by Oklahoma's Jordan John during the KU-OU series opener on Friday evening at Hoglund Ballpark. John pitched a complete game on Friday allowing only one Jayhawk run to home.
Kansas freshman Wes Benjamin pitched a decent game Saturday night against the Oklahoma Sooners. He gave up three runs over five innings on five hits. Kansas (17-27, 4-13) fell in the second game in a row 8-2 to Oklahoma (28-16, 9-8).
The Sooners hurt Benjamin in the free pass department. Benjamin gave up three walks on the day, two of which came in his last inning of work. Those two came around to score on the three-run opposite
Junior pitcher Thomas Taylor (4-5, 4.08 ERA) was due to take the mound Sunday afternoon, but severe weather and heavy rain canceled the series finale. There will be no make-up game scheduled, so the Jayhawks' attention turns to a non-conference matchup with Arkansas-Little Rock on Tuesday.
CLAIRE HOWARD/KANSAN
homes from
Oklahoma third
baseman Max
White.
the most walks allowed this season. He has issued 23 walks this season while also hitting six batters on the season.
"One of the things we've talked with Wes about is that if he can reduce the
Kansas' pitchers have struggled at allowing runners to reach base by walking them this season. They rank third to last in the conference of walks allowed, giving up a total of 151 on the season.
Edited by Pat Strathman
"We need to come out with energy," Stanfield said. "Any time we come out with energy and stay on them inning-for-inning, we've been really successful."
With an offense that ranks last in the Big 12 in batting average and runs scored, it is imperative that pitchers limit the number of base runners they allow on base.
"He needs to continue to improve his breaking ball." Price said of
number of walks he has the chance to be more effective," coach Ritch Price said of Benjamin.
With the three walks Saturday, Benjamin is tied for second with
JAMES STANFIELD Senior catcher
Benjamin.
Benjamin still looks promising despite a 2-6 record. The freshman has posted a decent 4.36 ERA in 71.0 innings this season.
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His teammates say he is beyond his years on the mound. As an offense, they know they need to support their starters more, because
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the pitchers have been keeping the team in the game all season.
— Edited by Nadia Imafidon
"He's pretty mature for a freshman," senior catcher James Stanfield said of Benjamin. "He did a really good job today. He kept us in it and we had a chance. You can't ask much more out of him."
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