THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, APRIL 25. 2013
PAGE 98
RESS ball
BIG 12 BASEBALL
Pitching matchups key in road trip
tgraff@kansan.com
TREVOR GRAFF
The Jayhawks are headed to West Virginia for the first time in program history in the midst of a hotly contested Big 12 conference race.
Kansas' 9-6 record lands them alone in second place with a solitary half-game deficit separating the Jayhaws from the first place Oklahoma Sooners. Without much knowledge of West Virginia, the Jayhawks aren't overlooking their trip to Appalachia.
"They've been doing pretty well. Sitting in the middle of the Big 12 isn't easy," senior shortstop Kevin Kuntz said. "It'll be fun and exciting to play a new Big 12 team, just like TCU. They have a few guys swinging the bats well and their pitching is tough. They did well against Texas so it should be fun to
take them on."
The Mountaineers lineup features three hitters batting higher than the .300 mark. Junior third baseman Ryan Tuntland leads the lineup with his .366 average, 49 hits and 23 RBIs. Sophomore outfielder Bobby Boyd, hitting .333 on the year, and junior outfielder Jacob Rice, hitting .331, complete the .300 plus club.
With a bit of pop in the Mountaineer lineup and a solid Friday starter, the Kansas pitching staff is focused on getting wins early in the weekend series.
"It all starts on Friday," junior closer Jordan Piche' said. "We've got the best guy out there to start with Thomas. He's had a really good year this year and the way our bats are looking and our short game as well, we should be looking pretty good. Expectations are high."
Friday's pitching matchup presents a key battle for the Jayhawks. The Mountaineers sophomore lefthanded pitcher Harrison Musgrave, currently tied for fourth in the Big 12 with six wins on the season, has lost just one game this season. His 2.70 ERA, 46 strikeouts and 21 walks have the attention of Big 12 hitters.
"Their Friday pitcher is doing really well," Pitche' said. "If we can get Friday, we'll be looking really good coming into Saturday and Sunday. Winning there would kind of set the tone for our team and build some more momentum on the weekend."
Kansas' Friday starter, senior pitcher Thomas Taylor, is currently sixth on the Big 12 strikeout list with 49 strikeouts on the season. Taylor leads the weekend rotation with his 4-0 record and 2.47 ERA.
"We just go about our business as usual," Piche' said. "We're pumped to be on the road again. A lot of guys like it and we're expecting a good outcome with this season."
Sophomore left-handed pitcher
Wes Benjamin continues to fill the Saturday spot in the rotation with a 4-4 record and 4.50 ERA. The Sunday spot in the rotation remains a question for the Jayhawks.
Coach Price said the Sunday spot in the rotation is still in question entering the weekend.
The Jayhawks' travel to West Virginia won't change the approach for a Kansas team firmly engrossed in the routine down the stretch run of their season.
The Jayhawks start the weekend series against West Virginia in Beckley, W. Va., at 5:30 p.m. Friday.
Edited by Tyler Conover
Senior infielder Alex DeLoean is congratulated by his teammates after his three-run home run in the 4th inning. DeLoean's home run put the Jawhaws up 6-1.
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
Sophomore outfielder Dakota Smith tries to beat out the throw to first after a hard hit to the shortstop.
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
Freshman first basemarc Marcus Wheeler hurries back to first after the pickoff move. The Jayhawks stole six bases in Mor 7-1 win over Baker.
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