2B Tuesday, April 29, 1997 UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN Baseball team needs wins Postseason berth at stake for Jayhawks By Harley V. Ratliff Kansan sportswriter Maybe it's the defense. It could be the stiff competition. What about... the weather? Whatever the reason, the Kansas baseball team has picked a bad time to take a pose dive. The Jayhawks, after losing nine of their last 12 games, went to College Station, Texas, last weekend clinging to the sixth and final slot in the Big 12 Conference post-season tournament. With Missouri and Texas just one game back, Kansas needed to win to maintain its lead in the standings. However, after three losses to Texas A&M, the Jayhawks have slipped into seventh place and out of the post-season loop. Just three weeks ago, Kansas rested in fourth place and was in position to make a run at the playoffs. "I don't know if I have the answer," Kansas coach Bobby Randall said. "Our play now isn't indicative of the way we were playing three weeks ago. It has certainly been a tough situation for me as a coach. You feel that, through preparation and tenacity, you're going to have a good chance to win. But for some reason we just haven't clicked." A variety of reasons could be behind the Jayhawks' slump. The pitching has struggled to come together, walking an inordinate amount of opposing batters. The defense has struggled to find cohesiveness since a series with Baylor earlier this month. However, the primary problem could be Kansas' schedule. During the last four weeks, the Jayhawks have played three road series, including one at Texas Tech Big 12 Standings
ConferenceOverall
W LGBW L
*Texas Tech22 5—42 6
*Okla. St.19 8337 13
*Oklahoma16 7432 13
*Texas &M17 10536 17
*Baylor16 11629 19
Missouri12 149.523 25
Kansas12 151028 21
Texas10 1410.527 21
Kansas St.720 1524 22
Iowa State417 1519 25
Nebraska519 15.523 30
- Clinched Big 12 tournament spot the No. 1 team in the nation. "I know we've lost confidence in our defense over the last several weeks," Randall said. "The teams we've played have just executed better. And maybe that's what happened — it exposed our youth. I don't think that's necessarily true, but it's a possibility." Randall said he thought some of the Jayhawks' poor play could be attributed to the unseasonably wet and cool spring. For the last three weekends, Kansas has played in the rain, which resulted in several missed pregame practices. "We've not had a chance to prepare," Randall said. "In baseball, our pregame is our practice. In all, we've had very few practices." The Jayhawks' only chance to recapture the elusive sixth spot will begin this week. Starting at 7 tonight, Kansas will play the first of two nonconference midweek games. The team will play Benedictine tonight and Hastings tomorrow. The Jayhawks will follow that with their last Big 12 series of the season, a home battle with Kansas State. Kansas will need a sweep to keep its hopes alive. "I've done a lot of soul searching the last two days," Randall said. "Our backs are against the wall — we're still in this — but we'll need to turn it around this weekend." Kansas drops Big 12 title in 4-1 loss Tennis team loses to Texas in second defeat of season Kansan staff report The Kansas men's tennis team just couldn't overcome the odds and defeat the Texas Longhorns for the Big 12 Conference Title during the weekend. Top-seeded Texas outlasted the second-seeded Jayhawks, clinching the Big 12 men's tennis title on Sunday. Texas won the title with a 4-1 win against Kansas. It was the second time this season that the Longhorns (22-5, 12-0) had defeated the Jayhawks (18-7, 10-2). The Longhorns handed the Jayhawks their only regular-season conference loss in a 4-3 decision in Lawrence just more than one month ago. The Jayhawks lost the doubles point on the outside courts in Austin, Texas. Teams were awarded one point for the entire doubles competition and one point for each singles match. After the doubles competition ended, Kansas was down 1-0. But Kansas looked to be bouncing back from the doubles loss. The Jayhawks won the first singles match of the day and tied the competition 1-1. After the first singles match, rain poured on the competition and caused a four-hour delay. The competition had to be moved to the indoor courts of the T Bar M Tennis Ranch in New Braunfels. After the delay, things went downhill for Kansas. The Jayhawks lost three consecutive singles matches and lost the Big 12 title. The Jayhawks' only point came courtesy of Enrique Abaroa, who defeated Texas' Paul Martin 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-3. The 'Jayhawks' Xavier Avila fell to B. J. Stearns, 6-7 (3), 6-3; Fernando Sierra lost to the Longhorns' Jack Brasington 3-6, 7 (7); and Luis Uribe fell to Nick Cromwell 2-6, 4-4, 7-5. The Breakdown No.1 Texas 4, No.2 Kansas 1 Sindra 1. Abaroa, KU def. Martin, UT, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 2. Stearns, UT def. Avila, KU, 6-7, 3-5, 7-3 3. Brasington, UT def. Sierra, KU, 3-6, 7-6 (7-6) 6-4 4. Crowell, UT def. Uribe, KU, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5. 5. Blue, UT vs. Tucker, KU, suspended. 6. Allen, UT vs. Marshall, KU, suspended. 1. Abaroa/Avilia, KU def. Martin/Crowell, UT B-5. 2. Brasington/Allen, UT def. Sierra/Uribe, kuli-8-5. 3. Steams/Blue, UT def. Tucker/Marshall, KU-1, B-1 In doubles, Abarca and Avila beat Cromwell and Martin 8-5 for Kansas' only doubles victory. Career and romance are your themes for this year, but not necessarily in that order. Fall in love again in May, and cinch the deal in September. Don't take a risk with other people's money in December. Follow a dream in January, and turn it into reality in February. There will be a test, so be prepared. If you keep your work in an older person in April, you'll access a hidden treasure. Guard against mistakes with money all year. Today's Birthday (April 29) HOROSCOPES Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 6. You could easily spend more than you have. Wait until the check clears before you visit the new car lots. Although you're in a good mood and have the support of your peers, you should exercise caution. The money that that's been promised isn't in your pocket yet. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 7. Instead of being confrontational with an authority figure, be nice. Ask questions instead of issuing ultimatums. It's possible that some of the information you've been given is wrong. You don't want to find that out after you've made a big scene. Proceed with caution. Gemini (May 21-June 21) — Today is a 10. The moon is in Aquarius. It encourages you to try something bolder and more outrageous than you've ever done before. The risk you're being asked to take involves commitments, love, home and family. Isn't it about time for your to settle down? Cancer (June 22-July 22) — Today is an 8. Is there a class or training program you've been meaning to take? it's very important to have the latest technology. If you don't know where to start, contact a friend who has more experience than you do. All you need is a little shove in the right direction. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 5. Your partner has a terrific idea, or soon will, with your encouragement. And while you're at it, encourage your bosses to do what they do best, and make them think they thought of it. Don't argue because this is good practice for marriage. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an Have you been wondering where you'll get the money for your latest scheme? Amazingly, your workload has just increased. You may even get to work a little overtime. If that's not happening, look around. There is a better job for you out there. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21) — Today is a 5. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Today is a 9. You and your mate have a warm, fuzzy, bonded feeling today. This is good because you have some tough decisions to make. Between the two of you, great things can be accomplished. You don't have to both be doing the same thing. Just cheer each other on to victory. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8. Something about your home needs chang ing. That could be due to a breakdown. No need to get upset; this will give you just the excuse you need. Get a new and better whatever. This is not a free ticket to turn your mate in for a newer model. This is a good day to read the manual. It could be a computer manual or a motorcycle service manual or just about any other technical material. 'It'll make sense, which is almost a good enough reason to go out and buy some new gadget. Go for it!' Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8. If you're thinking of selling something, this is a good day to put it on the market. It's more difficult to buy things. That's OK; if you keep shopping around, you'll eventually find just what you want at the right price. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb.18) — Today is a 6. There's a hassle to deal with at home. Something or someone is blocking your every move.Not to worry. You're imaginative, creative and lucky.And you're willing to compromise — from a position of strength, of course. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 6. It may feel as though somebody's leaning over your shoulder, criticizing every move. It might even be true. There's no need to fret. An unusual development is to your advantage. Let a stiff-necked bureaucrat get involved in your life. He or she is a blessing in disguise. NOTE: Horoscopes have no basis in scientific fact and should be read for entertainment only. --at --at 817 Mass. 843-4266 800-756-4266 For the lucky boyfriends of the women who hate gold jewelry, come check out our selection of silver. Meeting April 30, 1997 6:30 p.m. d Room—Kansas Union Activities include: Guest Speakers - Ms. Bowman of Sunflower and Ms. Banks, Fine Arts Coordinator Panel discussion...Refreshments... Useful information Packaging, Shipping, and Printing services We will: •Pick them up •Carefully Pack •Ship them home The Mail Box Don't worry about your bike, books, clothes, computer furniture, etc. Let us take the pain out of moving. We will: ·Pick them up ·Cover fully Bed 3115 W. 6th Sunset West Center 749-4304 816 W24th·749-5750 Behind Laird Noller Ford NABI Biomedical Center Jayhawker yearbooks are here The 1997 Wescoe Beach: April 28 - May 5 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. If pre-ordered, present KUID To purchase, bring cash/check for $30 made payable to: Jayhawker yearbook New Donors earn $20 Today Up to $40 this week EARN CASH ON THE SPOT By donating your life-saving plasma! Jayhawker yearbook 428 Kansas Union 864-3728 1995 and 1996 yearbooks also available This summer... work on your mind & your tan! Allen County Community College Burlingame campus Classes: June 2-July 29 $45/credit hour (includes textbook rental) Choose Monday-Wednesday or Tuesday-Thursday classes Classes offered 30 miles southwest of Lawrence For more information, call (913) 654-2416 Allen County Community College make it happen! 25 miles south of Topeka Burlingame, KS