BASEBALL
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
2002 Roster
1- Kevin Farmer
senior
outfielder
5-10, 165
R/R
Wichita
2- Brandon Shepard
2- Brandon Shepard
junior
infielder
5-11, 175
R/R
Elk Grove, Calif.
22 - Pat Holmes
junior first base 6-0,200 L/L Baytown,Texas
4- Lance Hayes
junior outfielder
5-11, 175
R/R
Mesquite, Texas
Speed, ability to steal bases may improve overall offense
By Ryan Wood Kansan sportswriter
When asked in preseason about the offensive strength on the Kansas baseball team this year, coach Bobby Randall's eyes lit up.
"We've got a lot of speed," he said with a smile.
It seems funny, considering the 4-0 Jayhawks have stolen only two bases this season. In the absence of speed, the power has taken over. The team has hit 20 extra-base hits, including seven home runs.
Still, Randall said he thought the running game would come around in time. Despite losing shortstop John Nelson, who stole 95 bases in his career, to the professional ranks, this year's squad might be the fastest one in recent memory.
Juniors Jason Appuhn and Casey Spanish both return after strong sophomore campaigns a year ago. Appuhn, an outfielder, stole 23 bases in 2001, while Spanish, this year's shortstop, stole 13 bases in 17 attempts.
"It opens up the game, if we have somebody that can steal bases," Spanish said. "The pitchers will worry about it, and it'll do positive things for the hitter, if they're worrying about the runner. It opens up our whole offensive game, and this year that's what we're going to have to do."
Of the eight position players slated to start this season, third baseman Ryan Klocksien is the lone senior. The two-time All Big-12 Conference selection is coming off of a solid junior campaign, batting .321 with four home runs and 37 RBL Still, his .351 average as a sophomore made last year's performance bittersweet.
Despite Klocksien's slight decline, Randall said he expected Klocksien, the team's top returning offensive threat, to rebound. So far, the team is proving that Randall's hunch was right. In Saturday's 17-3 rout of Centenary, Klocksien went 4-for-5 with five RBI.
"I like to get better each year, and maybe I took a step back last year compared to my sophomore year," he said.
"Nobody works harder on their hitting than Ryan," he said. "He's expecting a big year, and he's prepared for it. I know that."
The only infield position lacking experience is behind the plate. With Brent Del Chiaro off to the minor leagues, Randall is counting on a junior college transfer and a freshman to handle the bulk of the catching responsibilities.
Freshman Cole Armstrong, a native of Canada, and junior Beau
Thompson, a transfer from Westark Community College in Arkansas, will both see significant action this upcoming season.
"I see them playing about 50-50," Randall said. "The great thing about it is that Cole is left-handed, and Beau is right-handed. They'll both play a lot."
Armstrong was a member of the Canadian junior national team, and was drafted by the New York Mets out of high school.
"Both of them are good defensive players who know how to handle a pitching staff," Randall added.
The undefeated Jayhawks hope to continue their winning ways today at 3 p.m., with a game against Kansas-Newman at Hoglund Ballpark. Today's game marks the start of a long home stand. The Jayhawks will play 11 of their next 12 games at Hoglund Ballpark, leading up to the Mar. 8 conference opener against Texas A&M.
"It'll take a pretty good team to beat us if we're playing our game," Klocksien said.
Contact Wood at rwood@kansan.com. This story was edited by Jeremy Clarkson.
Not Pictured
freshman
outfielder
5- Dan Stucky
sophomore
infielder
8- Matt Tribble
sophomore
outfielder/pitcher
9- Matt Smith
freshman
infielder
10- Ryan Baty
sophomore
second base
11- Dwayne White
freshman
outfielder
12- Travis Metcalf
freshman
infielder
13- Dustin Schroer
freshman
outfielder/pitcher
24- Tom Gorzelanny
freshman
pitcher
26- Jason Kutash
freshman
catcher/pitcher
29- Adam Rachlin
sophomore
outfielder
35-Brett Iba
freshman
outfielder
37- Cole Armstrong
freshman
catcher
39- Brad Gillam
freshman
catcher
40-Tyson Bothoff
freshman
pitcher
42- Joe Costello
freshman
pitcher
43-Chris Smart
sophomore
pitcher
44-Chris Jones
freshman
pitcher
23 - Ryan Klocksien
senior
third base
6-2, 210
R/R
Shorewood, Minn.
30- Dan Olson
senior pitcher 6-3,210 R/R Loveland, Colo.
25 - Jason Appuhn
junior
outfielder
6-2, 200
R/R
Omaha, Neb
27 - Beau Thompson
27 - Beau Thompson
junior
catcher
5-11, 185
R/R
Gentry, Ark.
6- Matt Van Alsburg
junior
outfielder
6-4, 215
R/R
Fort Collins, Colo.
32 - Jeff Davis
senior
pitcher
6-3,190
R/R
Lawrence
28 - Randy Strann
senior
pitcher
6-0, 195
R/R
Garland, Texas
38 - Jake Wright
senior
pitcher
6-2,185
R/R
Baldwin
15 - Casey Spanish
junior shortstop
6-4, 215
R/R
Savage, Minn
33- Bobby Bartow
junior
outfielder
6-0, 175
L/R
Salina
18 - Ryan Jakubov
junior
outfielder/pitcher
6-2, 190
R/R
Maize
2002 Roster
34- Brad Vibbard
junior
pitcher
6-2, 175
R/R
Grapevine, Texas
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