8B
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2009
BASEBALL
naeffer Hall throws seventh no-hitter in Kansas history
Weston White/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
nominate pitcher Shafer Hall throws to first on a pick off attempt against Missouri State university on April 16, 2018. Hall no. hitt-air Force in Kansas opening game of 2009.
BY JOSH BOWE
jbowe@kansan.com
The last time Shaeffer Hall threw a no-hitter, he was just beginning to drive.
Now the junior starter from Lee Summit, Mo., will be in the driver's seat this season after throwing a no-hitter Friday afternoon against Air Force.
"That was a remarkable feat, he was absolutely outstanding," coach Ritch Price said. "He was in command of all four pitchers and ahead in the count."
Hall said the last time he threw a no-hitter was his junior year in high school. This one understandably meant a little more to Hall, but he maintained a modest and humble approach.
"This time was a little more special, going nine innings," Hall said. "I'm pretty excited about it."
The 5-0 shutout against Air Force was the lone highlight of the weekend. Among numerous delays due to weather and the length of other teams competing that weekend, Kansas dropped the next two games in close, disappointing contests.
"That's the three best games we've ever pitched to open a season," Price said. "Certainly we didn't swing the bats as good as I thought we would."
But the standout of the weekend was obviously Hall. His no-hitter only counts as one victory, and the two losses put a sour end to the weekend, but no-hitters don't happen very often in Kansas history.
In fact, it's only the seventh no-hitter in the program's history, and the fifth individual no-hitter. The last time a Kansas pitcher went the distance in a no-hitter was David Hicks vs. Northwest Missouri State
way back in 1980.
Hall will now have his named etched into the record books for all time, a place Price is proud to see his new staff ace.
"They (Kansas defense) played great behind him (Hall)," Price said. "But he was absolutely special."
WEEKEND WRAP-UP
KANSAS 5. AIR FORCE 0
Besides the obvious contributions from Hall, Price was pleased with his team's hitting and defense to back its starter.
"I was pleased with the production through the lineup," Price said. "That's the only way this team can be a solid offensive club."
Sophomore third baseman Tony Thompson and sophomore designated hitter Jimmy Waters combined to go 4-7 with an RBI apiece batting in the middle of the order.
"It was good to see Tony Thompson get a clutch hit," Price said.
Price also said that the middle infield pairing of junior David Narodowski and junior Robby Price saved the no-hitter on three occasions.
"There's an old adage that when you throw a no-hitter you need two or three outstanding plays behind you," Price said. "Narodowski took two hits away, and (Price) took away a hit at second base."
MEMPHIS 5. KANSAS 4
A valiant comeback to support an impressive start was only damped by the most reliable pitcher on the roster not coming through.
Kansas senior closer Paul Smyth gave up three runs in the bottom of the ninth after Kansas had just
Service Academy Classic, Feb. 20 to 22 Millington, Tenn.
Kansas — 5
Air Force — 0
WP: Hall (1-1) LP: Abrecht (0-1)
Friday
Memphis — 5
Kansas — 4
WP: Yokley (1-0) LP: Smyth (0-1)
Sunday
Sunday
Memphis — 2
Kansas — 1
WP: Brach (1-0) LP: Selik (0-1)
SV: Hatfield (1)
HR: McClain (MEM: 1)
rallied to score four runs in the previous two innings.
"I was really pleased with the way we competed," Price said. "Unfortunately we weren't able to close the deal."
"It's a nice confidence booster, because I was having a little trouble going deep counts in the fall," Walz said. "It was nice to keep my pitch count down and go deep into a game."
This game followed a familiar tune to the previous game.
MEMPHIS 2, KANSAS 1
Sophomore T.J. Walz threw a gem as he went seven innings, giving up only one earned run while striking out seven. Price raved about his performance against a quality Memphis club.
"I was thrilled with Walz." Price said. "That's a very good baseball team (Memphis) and he pitches
seven innings holding them to two runs."
Walz was just thankful to be able to stay in the game. He said he had been struggling to keep his pitch count down in the fall
Walz
except this time the Jayhawk hitters weren't able to rally for the lead in late innings, despite having opportunities to do so.
"Today was hard to watch," Price said. "We didn't do a very good job of putting the ball in play."
Especially with the opportunity Kansas had to pull out a victory for guitar Cameron Selik, who pitched an effective six and one third innings.
T h e
Jayhawks had
two runners on
with one out,
and the third
Selik
and fourth batters in the lineup,
Price and Narodowski, struck out to end the inning and the threat.
Kansas finished with three hits.
But Price is hopeful in the performance from Selik, and believes it's a sign of things to come.
"We really like what he brings to the table and he's a very mature guy," Price said. "He got into trouble and got out of trouble (today) and that's what quality pitchers have to do."
— Edited by Sam Speer
BASEBALL
Blown save doesn't shake Smyth's confidence
BY TIM DWYER
tdwyer@kansan.com
Paul Smyth entered the season as the anchor of the Kansas bullpen. It didn't take long for his number to get called — he appeared in the ninth inning of the second game of
the season with the Jayhawks clinging to a 4-2 lead over the Memphis Tigers.
It didn't take much longer, two-thirds of an inning, for Smyth.
Atascadero, Calif., senior, to blow his first save opportunity, giving up three runs in the bottom of the ninth and picking up a loss in the 5-4 Jayhawks defeat at the hands of the Tigers.
"One of the things we all know with baseball is that the hardest inning to pitch is the ninth
The 4-2 lead Smyth was banded was a product of seven strong innings from sophomore starter T.J. Walz. Walz went seven innings
inning," coach Ritch Price said. "Guys get paid six, seven, eight million dollars to pitch the ninth inning alone. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to close the game out."
and allowed both runs, one earned, on six hits with seven strikeouts.
"That's just baseball," Walz said. "Ithappens sometimes. Nine times out.
of ten Paul is going to get the job done."
Walz sattitude was the prevalence one in the Kansas locker room. Though Smyth had a bad game his first time out in 2009, there's no lack of faith in the senior closer.
"I think the next time as soon as we have the lead I'm handing
the ball to him, and I'll feel good doing it," Price said. "I still have a lot of confidence in him."
Smyth said the key to rebounding from performance like his is being able to shake it off quickly.
"I've learned that in those kinds of situations you have to have a really short memory," he said.
"I woke up this morning and wanted the ball again as soon as possible."
Smyth hoped to get that opportunity in Kansas 'Sunday afternoon game, a rematch with Memphis.
The Jayhawks fell 2-1 to Memphis, and never led, despite a solid starting effort from junior juco transistor Cameron Selik, and Smyth didn't have the opportunity for a save.
"It's not a different mindset," Smyth said about his next chance to close. "I was actually happy to hear that we had Memphis again.
Kansas no-hitters
Shaeffer Hall's no-hitter was the seventh in University of Kansas history. It was the first individual no-hitter in 29 years.
Larry Miller, vs. Colorado, May 4, 1957
Kenneth Hensley, Tom Holler and Jerry Waldschmidt; vs.
Washburn; April 5, 1960
Bill Maddux, vs. Texas Lutheran, March 30, 1967
Steve Corder, vs. College of Emporia, March 27, 1972
David Hicks, vs. Northwest Missouri State, April 2, 1980
Scott Sharpe, Ryan Knippschild, Jacob Jean, Sean Land and Clint Schambach; vs. Texas Southern; Feb. 1, 2004
On a personal level I was really excited about that. But I had the same mindset yesterday that I've had every time before that. I'll approach it the same way next time."
Smyth has expectations for himself, at least on Saturday,
Shaeffer Hall, vs. Air Force, Feb.20, 2009
he didn't meet.
"I just expect to get the job done," he said. "Obviously, yesterday I didn't do that."
Edited by Sam Speer
MLB
Mike Aviles plans for Royal training camp
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Mike Aviles toiled five-plus years in the minors for the opportunity to play in majors, so he's not taking anything for granted in the Kansas City Royals spring training.
Sure, he hit .325, which led all big-league rookies last year and ranked second among American League first-year players with 39 multi-hit games and a.354 on-base percentage.
He's coming into spring training as the Royals' starting shortstop.
He says he plays his game like he has a chip on his shoulder and always wants to do better.
But he'll soon be leaving the Royals camp, joining the Puerto Rico team for the World Baseball Classic. He says he spoke with the team manager and expects to play shortstop.
Associated Press
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