Section B · Page 4
The University Daily Kansan
Friday, April 24, 1998
Baseball team trying to improve
Freshman shortstop John Nelson hits the ball during a game against Missouri. The Jayhawks were defeated by Texas this week in Austin, Texas. Photo by Jay Shepard/KANSAN
By John Blakely Wilson
Kansan sportswriter
With postseason hopes dead, the Kansas baseball team falls further into its daunting Big 12 Conference schedule with a weekend series against nationally-ranked Texas A&M at Hoglund-Maupin Stadium.
The Jayhawks (18-25) have lost 13 of 15 games in ducking out of the race for the Big 12 Tournament. The top six conference teams qualify, but Kansas was eliminated from contention after a three-game sweep this week by the Texas Longhorns in Austin, Texas.
Coach Bobby Randall said he was pleased with his relievers' effort, if not with their results.
"I feel badly for the pitchers that have lost leads," Randall said. "Those guys are throwing their hearts out, but things happen sometimes when you pitch the ninth."
Randall said he was searching inside himself for things he should be doing.
"I've been through tougher times, but this is a tough time," Randall said. "I feel like there are things I should be doing, now I need to figure out what they are."
Randall said starting pitching had improved lately, led by two effective outings by Rusty
Philbrick. Philbrick shut out Missouri last weekend and came back with a nine-inning game Wednesday against Texas, allowing just three runs.
"Rusty is attacking the strike zone like we always knew he would," Randall said. "He only walked one in nine innings against Texas — that's being in control."
Randall said despite the 13 of 15 losing streak, his team had been close to victory throughout the season.
"We're not that far from the best
teams," Randall said. "We could be up with those teams if we had more guys healthy and had a big hitter really step up in the middle of the order and drive in runs."
Injuries to key players like second baseman Andy Juday, outfielder Cliff Bryson, relief pitcher Casey Barrett and first baseman Chad King, have forced Randall to piece the team together. Players who were not expected to contribute this season have been rushed into the everyday lineup.
lost a lot of games from key players because of injuries," Randall said. "Nobody on this team has quit, and we never will. I respect my players because they won't stop fighting."
"I'm proud of the guys, but we've
Game times this weekend against Texas A&M will be 7 p.m. today, 2 p.m. tomorrow and 1 p.m. Sunday.
The Jayhawks will play a non-conference game against Kansas State Tuesday at Hoglund-Maupin and finish their Big 12 slate May 1-3 against the Wildcats in Manhattan.
By Tommy Gallagher
tgallagher@kansan.com
Kansan sportwriter
Nebraska guard Tyronn Lue chose not to sign with a sports agent in case he was unsatisfied with where he was drafted and
wanted to return for his senior season.
But Paul Pierce knew he would not return to Kansas, choosing Aaron Goodwin of Oakland, Calif., as his sports agent. Selecting Goodwin
Pierce: signed with California agent Aaron Goodwin
means Pierce's decision to turn pro is irreversible
Teammate Raef LaFrentz signed David Falk of Washington, D.C., as his sports agent. Falk also will represent former Arizona guard Mike Bibby.
Some of Falk's most notable clients include Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway.
ESPN's Chris Monter created a
draft of the draft's top 74
Though the NBA playoffs tipped off yesterday, some basketball analysts have already ranked the top prospects for the NBA's June draft.
prospects. And the top three prospects according to Monter were Mike Bibby, Paul Pierce and Raef LaFrentz, in that order.
Guard Billy Thomas was listed at No. 61, three spots shy of being drafted.
Big 12 Conference players also
LaFrentz: Will join agent David Falk's distinguished staff
Oklahoma State (No. 56).
- Ashante Johnson, a 6-foot-9 swinger from Canada (Calif)
Junior College, will make an official visit to Kansas this weekend.
He already has visited Pepperdine, Xavier and Florida State. After this trip, Johnson said he would return home and eventually choose the college that was best for him.
Johnson said he preferred smaller classrooms and a smaller university, but added that playing time would be a major factor. He transferred from Utah to Canada last year because he wanted to play more.
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