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It's still early, obviously, and anything can change between now and August, but Webb looks to be the favorite to start in week one.
"It's a lot more comforting out there?" Webb said. "You know what the defense is doing, and obviously you're a lot more comfortable with the offense."
Edited by Erin Wilbert
EXPECT JORDAN WEBB TO START AT QUARTERBACK
Sophomore Jordan Webb started in seven games in 2010 and threw for 1,195 yards, second most all-time for a KU freshman. An injury in the team's week seven loss to Texas A&M sidelined him for three games, but he returned to start in the season finale against Missouri. Coach Gill said that while Webb and senior Quinn Mecham are both more poised this year, Webb has the small edge at this point.
Those adjustments are being made in the off-season now, not in the fall when the games count.
"I don't know if it's 100 percent different, but its definitely a difference because I understand where our team is at," Gill said. "Last year I really had no idea until we got to some football games, and then you're on the run trying to make those adjustments"
FEWER MENTAL MISTAKES BY PLAYERS AND COACHES
He's bigger than last year, and a year of studying the position will be a huge positive for the Kansas secondary. The running game could be great this year. Sophomore James Sims led the team with 742 rushing yards last year as a freshman. With freshman standout Darrian Miller, as well as the lightning-quick redshirt freshman Brandon Bourbon, it's safe to say the running game will excite fans in the fall.
There were times last year when players weren't getting the right play call from the coaches before the snap. These things tend to happen under a new coaching staff. Coach Turner Gill has said he's focused on getting his players mentally tougher, repeating that sentiment more than once during practice. Things are getting easier in year two, though
State, builting finally made her way to Kansas to see the Jayhawk team firsthand. "The coaches were great, the team was great, and I just felt like this is where God wanted me to come."
just be a part of the team."
As Bunting's time at Kansas went on, her leadership qualities began to mature and flourish. She was becom-
received the University of Kansas' 2011 SEE SWIMMER ON PAGE 8A
SOFTBALL
Jayhawks earn first conference win of season
BY HANNAH WISE
hwise@kansan.com
Kansas outfielder Liz Kocon is met at home plate by her teammates after she hit a home run in the sixth inning during the 9-5 win against Texas Tech Wednesday in Lughead, Texas.
Brad Toilefson/LA VENTANA YEARBOOK
Kansas earned its first conference victory of the season with a comeback in the sixth inning against Texas Tech in the first game of the night. The offense rallied against a three-run deficit to score seven runs off five hits, winning 9-5.
On the night, four different Jayhawks tallied two hits apiece. The offense also tallied four home runs from senior Brittany Hile, junior Marissa Ingle and Liz Kocon and sophomore Mariah Montgomery
"It was a shot," coach Megan Smith. "It was a sign that we weren't dying, that we are going to fight. I think it kind of put a boost of confidence in our team."
Montgomery's homer put the Jayhawks on the board in the second inning and was immediately followed by Ingle's. The runs set the score at 4-2 in the Red Raider's favor.
In the sixth inning, freshman Laura Vickers hit a double to center field to plate two runners. Sophomore Alex Jones' slap hit then brought Vickers home after she had advanced to third off a single from freshman Ashley Newman. Sophomore Maggie Hull hit a pop fly to give Newman the opportunity to score, setting the score in Jayhawks' favor at 6-4.
Hile then hit a two-run home run followed by a home run from Kocon.
"Somebody got the spark on
them and we just kept rolling with it," Kocon said.
The defense was also strong against the Red Raiders, especially considering that Texas Tech's offense is leading the Big 12.
"Julie Jenkins had an unbelievable catch in center field. We moved Alex Jones to pitch and we put Julie in centerfield and she robbed someone, Smith said.
I really think that boosted our team."
Jones pitched the final three innings of the first game, allowing only one hit.
The nightcap was a complete reversal of the first contest. The Jayhawks were run-ruled 10-0 in five innings. Texas Tech pitcher Brittany Talley essentially shut down the offense, throwing four strikeouts and allowing only two
hits.
4
"We just never got in a groove," Smith said. "Kristin Martinez threw really well, but we had a bad play that cost us runs. We just never could recover and never could get clicked."
The Red Raiders recorded 11 hits in the contest. They scored all ten of their runs in the second, third and fourth innings.
Despite the loss, the team is
happy with the victory. "We got some breaks and hit the ball and we are really excited about it," Smith said.
The Jayhawks are now 1-11 in conference play and 28-15 overall. They will play a home weekend series against No. 15/16 Baylor Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
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Edited by Jacque Weber