THE UNIVERSITY JAIL KANSAN
THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 2009
SPORTS
7B
BASEBALL
Infield strength bolstered by new transfer shortstop
Junior second baseman Roby Price (right) is adapting well to working with new shortship David Narodowski. Narodowski, a junior, transferred to Kansas from Vernon College in Vancouver, Canada, after batting. 420 as a sophomore.
Weston White/KANSAN
BY JOSH BOWE
jbowe@kansan.com
Compared with other players on the team, the Kansas infielders look like old, grizzled veterans. With four of five starters returning, the layhawk infield is easily the most experienced group of players on the field.
"There's a lot of potential out there," said junior second baseman Robby Price. "That continuity is obviously something that's good to have in an infield."
Price will be joined in the infield this season by plenty of familiar faces.
Senior Buck Afenir returns behind the plate at catcher, senior Preston Land returns at first base, and sophomore Tony Thompson is settled in at third base.
The only new face could have the potential to be a star, according to both players and coaches.
Junior David Narodowski will try to fill the shoes of the great Kansas shortstops of the past.
Narodowski, who is a native of Vancouver, Canada, transferred from Vernon College following an impressive effort during his sophomore season. Batting .420 to go along with eight home runs and 42 RBIs, he has coach Ritch Price particularly giddy at what he can accomplish.
"He has a chance to be as good as anybody that we've had," Coach Price said. "He can handle the bat, he's a good runner and solid defensively."
and many putouts.
also said
Coach Price that although Narodowski didn't posses the arm strength that is normal at the position, he makes up for it with his speed and skill.
The relationship between a second baseman and the shortstop is vital to the chemistry of the
"There's a lot of potential out there. That continuity is obviously something that's good to have in an infield."
ROBBY PRICE
Junior second baseman
infield, because the two have to be on the same page for double play
is new to the team,
Narodowski has meshed well with
Robby Price, and the pair has chemistry.
"Dave's a great player he comes with a lot of experience." Robby Price said. "He's done really well for himself, so hopefully he can keep it long
throughout the year."
waver when asked about the pressures of being a part of the team's most-experienced group.
Robby Price never seemed to
He said he still would like to see some improvements, but he said he already expected the best from himself and his teammates.
"We need to catch the ball a little bit better than last year," Robby Price said.
"Every day it seems like someone is making more progress here and there, and there's some talent and I think they'll be some very good baseball players when it's all said and done."
lineup
Afenir
Edited by Chris Hickerson
Land
Projected Starting Infield:
2008 statistics
**Catcher:** senior Buck Afenir (.253 avg. 9 HR 42 RBI)
**First Base:** senior Preston Land (.221 avg. 5 HR 31 RBI)
**Second Base:** junior Robby Price (.296 avg. 1 HR 25 RBI)
**Shortstop:** junior David Narodowski (.420 avg. 8HR 42 RBI)
**Third Base:** sophomore Tony Thompson (.276 avg. 5 HR 18 RBI)
In the Mix: sophomore Greg Herbst, junior Brett Lisher, freshman Jordan Dreiling.
Price
freshman Zac Elgie, freshman James Stanfield, sophomore Joe Lincoln, freshman Chris Manship
Narodowski
The Kansan's Take: Plenty of bench players are expected to play key roles in the infield this season. Look for Elig, who got drafted in the 12th round of the MLB draft, to take some time at catcher as well as first base if Land doesn't produce. Catchers Lincold and Manship will see spot time at catcher with Manship being a promising offensive threat. Lisher will back
Thompson
up Land at first base as well with Herbst giving Thompson a rest every so often. Dreiling will learn from Price to mature at second base and Stanfield will back up Narodowski. The infield is almost 100 percent set for its starters, so don't expect to see the starting lineup switch around nearly as often as the outfield. The only pothole could be if Land continues last season's struggles. Price has said that Elgie will take his spot if that happens.
BIG 12 CAPSULES
— Josh Bowe
Texas Tech Red Raiders 25-30,9-18 Big 12 in 2008
Preseason Ranking: Unranked. Eighth in the Bia 12
The Red Raiders welcomed
The Red Raid
new head
coach Dan
Spencer to Lub-
bock this year
to take over
the program
from Larry Hayes, who stepped down this summer after 22 years. Spencer, 42, has spent 11 seasons at Oregon State, the last three as associate head coach and pitching/catching coach. Spencer was a three-year letterman at Tech as a player in the 1980s. He inherits a team coming off a dismal
season, finishing last in the Big 12 in 2008. Kansas swept the Raiders in three games in Lawrence last year, but this year the team will head to Lubbock from April 17 to 19.
Missouri Tigers-
Missouri Tigers —
39-21, 16-11 Big 12 in 2008
season Ranking: No. 10
Preseason...
(Baseball Ameri)
(ESPN/USA Today Coaches),
Fifth in the
Big 12
Missouri loses its pitching ace, Aaron Crow, and arguably its best bat in Jacob Priday. Crow was a first-round draft pick and Priday is the school's all-time leader in home runs and RBIs. Though Priday
provided the heart of the order last year, Missouri has plenty of bats left for a potent offensive attack. Junior outfielder Aaron Senne led the team with a .347 average, and senior Ryan Lollis was second on the team, hitting. 339.
The Tigers rose as high as second in the rankings last year before stumbling down the home stretch and finishing the season at No.19. The Jayhawks and Tigers square off at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on April 22 before traveling to Columbia for a three-game series beginning May 8. The teams split their four games 2-2 last year.
— Tim Dwyer
Congratulations Class of 2009!
COUNTDOWN TO COMMENCEMENT!
Don't forget to stop by the Grad Fair 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Feb. 17-19 Kansas Union Ballroom
This is your opportunity to:
$ \star $ join the Alumni Association at the recent grad rate
become part of Alumni Association chapters, events and programs as a new grad
$ \star $ find your alumni chapter and explore what the Alumni Association can do for you
★ see the University of Kansas Class Ring
- pick up information about upcoming graduation events
★ score some great Alumni Association give away
★ order graduation announcements, caps and gowns
www.kualumni.org
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