KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 / SPORTS
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A conference record of 4-8 isn't indicative of Nebraska's potent offense, which is anchored by Big 12 Player of the Year candidate Adam Bailey. The senior outfielder is near the top in six major offensive categories, including a Big 12-best 14 home runs.
Coach Price said that even though the Cornhuskers have struggled in Big 12 play, they're still a dangerous team.
"They know that their season is on the line," coach Price said. "It's going to be as tough a weekend as
it was in Austin"
But if Kansas can play like it did against then-No. 6 Texas — specifically with two more dominant starts from Walz and senior Cameron Selik — Price said he likes his club's chances.
"I think we would have won the series against anybody else in our league last weekend, with as well as we played and competed, and with how outstanding Walz and Selik were on Friday and Saturday," coach Price said.
Walz has fared well against his
hometown team, cord in two career starts against Nebraska, including a 10-strikeout performance in a victory last season.
"For him it's a special day when he gets to pitch against his hometown team."
with a 2-0 re- ward to playing in front of his family and friends, but added that he didn't need any additional motivation to start the week end off with a strong outing on Friday.
"For him it's a special day when he gets to pitch against his hometown team", Price said. Walz said he always looks for-
RITCH PRICE Baseball coach
be most telling about how he feels about being snubbed by the
But it's what he didn't say that might about how he snubbed by the
baseball team coming out of high school.
"I'm a huge Nebraska football fan." Walz said.
Unlike Walz, fellow Nebraska native Jimmy Waters didn't grow up enamored with "Big Red".
"I just never really got into it," Waters said.
Waters said his father listens to all the talk radio shows back home, and that there is a lot of confidence coming from the Cornhuskers' side of the rivalry.
"They don't look at us like a
good team." Waters said. "They look at us like they're supposed to beat us."
"I'm very motivated to go out there and shut people up." Waters said.
CORNHUSKER CLASH
Though his outlook is somewhat different than Walz', they share a collective goal of having a strong series in Lincoln.
Edited by Cory Bunting
BASEBALL GAMEDAY KANSAS OPENING PITCH NEBRASKA OPENING PITCH
AT A GLANCE
At 3-5-1 in the Big 12, this series against Nebraska will make a huge impact on Kansas' conference standing. A series win and the Jayhawks are right back towards the top of the pack — but a couple more losses will place them firmly towards the bottom of the Big 12.
AT A GLANCE
For Nebraska, this weekend's series is arguably their most important series on the conference slate. Both teams sit at the bottom of the Big 12 standings and need a series victory to get back in the thick of the Big 12 race. The Conhuskers did pick up a non-conference win against Wichita State on Tuesday night, winning convincingly 14-0.
JAYHAWKS VS. CORNHUSKERS Kansas looks to end its conference woes against Nebraska in Lincoln
SERIES OUTLOOK
PLAYER TO WATCH
Junior third baseman Tony Thompson
PLAYER TO WATCH
As the cleanup hitter, Thompson will need to provide a power threat in the middle of the Jayhawks lineup. If Thompson — who hit his second home run of the season in against Texas in Austin — continues to progress at the plate, Kansas has a good chance of supporting its pitching staff with an offensive barrage.
Adam Bailey
QUESTION MARK
The Nebraska Cornhuskers have struggled thus far getting production from their lineup. The only consistent player for Nebraska so far this season has been Adam Bailey. He leads the league in hits with 52 and runs batted in with 45. In his last start against Wichita State, he was 2-for-4 with two RBIs in a victory.
The bottom line is the Jayhawks need to win at least two of three in Lincoln. Nebraska has struggled in conference play, and if Kansas intends on challenging the likes of Texas for a Big 12 title, this is a series it needs to walk away from with a few victories.
QUESTION MARK
Will Kansas's starting pitching be as sharp as last weekend?
Can the offense carry Nebraska in this series?
Selik and Walz were the best they've been all season in Austin, but the Jayhawks fell short because the Longhorns pitchers were slightly better. But if Kansas' top two arms can give similar performances against Nebraska, the offense should have ample opportunities to score against a pitching staff that has a team ERA of 5.37 — second-highest in the conference.
NEWS AND NOTES
The Cornhusker starters give up runs on a regular basis and they are facing a Kansas squad that is looking to get back on track after struggling for offense against Texas. It will take contributions from not only the Big 12 hit leader Adam Bailey, but infielder Kale Kaiser and outfielder DJ Belfonte. The 'Huskers are fifth in the Big 12 in hitting.
The Jayhawks have added a game to make up for an early season contest lost to weather. Kansas will host Benedictine College on Tuesday, April 20 at 6 p.m. Admission is free for all fans.
BY THE NUMBERS
Kansas adds game
Lytle honored
BY THE NUMBERS
1996 — The last time Kansas won a series in Lincoln
10-2 — Walz 'career record against the Big 12
.399 — Kansas' team on-base percentage
1 — Big 12 home win
4.15 — Walks allowed per game
5.37 — ERA of Nebraska pitchers, 9th in the Big 12.
In addition to being recognized this season for his performance on the field, junior right fielder Casey Lytle was recently honored for his work off the field.
Lytle has been selected as a Big 12 Conference Chick-Fil-A Community of Champions honoree for the 2010 spring season. The conference recognizes one athlete from each of the 12 institutions — regardless of sport — based on academics, community service, leadership and sportsmanship.
The junior, a business major, was named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection a season ago. He was also an active member in Kansas' student-athlete service projects.
On the field, Lytle's no slouch either. He's currently batting .295 with an on base percentage at .421. Lytle has racked up seven doubles, a triple, a home run and 33 scored in his 30 starts in Kansas' outfield.
Lytle also leads the team with 10 stolen bases and 16 times being hit by pitch. He was selected the Big 12 Player of the Week on March 15 for his efforts in helping the Jayhawks knock off then-No.1 LSU in Baton Rouge.
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