A / SPORTS / TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2010 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / KANSAN.COM
BASEBALL GAMEDAY CLOSE CALL FOR KANSAS Jayhawks look for second win against Bears
DEJAVU
BASEBALL
(CONTINUED FROM 10A)
Except this time he's not just resting a tired arm - he's out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, a type of reconstructive elbow surgery, over the weekend.
"Obviously, it's a devastating loss for our team and one that will not be easy to overcome," coach Ritch Price said.
"He's going to help me control myself - he won't let me get too tuped up." Murray said.
With the Jayhawk's dominant closer shelved, there's suddenly a large hole to fill at a position that had been a constant. So it's a good thing for Kansas that Poppe and fellow hard throwing reliever Colton Murray are up to the task.
his presence as a mentor to the younger pitchers will still pay huge dividends.
special also,
Pope said.
"it's a tough
loss but we've
got to keep
going."
Mur ra y agreed, but said that t h o u g h Bochy isn't able to pitch.
"I think we can do something
Murray, a sophomore, has more experience of the two. He made 33 appearances last season, going 2-3 with a 3.23 ERA. This season he's pitched a total of 17 innings while striking out 21.
KANSAS VS.
MISSOURI STATE
6:30 p.m. at Hammonds Field, Springfield, Mo.
Poppe has been used in a number of roles for Kansas this season. The freshman began the season making two midweek starts, but recently has seen plenty of time out of the bullpen, either in long relief or
late game situations. In total, he's 2-2 with a 2.79 ERA in 12 appearances.
in, and now
"Obviously, it's a devastating loss for our team and one that will not be easy to overcome."
What the two have in common, however, is the need to consistently throw strikes to be effective. Both began the year troubled by accuracy, and got off to somewhat shaky starts. Of late, each pitcher has settled
"Just breathe." Murray laughed. "To tell you the truth, that's all it really is."
in, and how they continually find the strike zone with two of the hardest fastballs on the staff.
RITCH PRICE Coach
Even though each said held prefer to have Kansas coast to victory tonight, they both are ready should the opportunity to play present itself.
early in the season and, as a result, was overthrowing his pitches. He said the solution for tempering his aggression on the mound was actually pretty simple.
"Just whatever the team needs I like to be out there and pitch and help the team win," Poppe said.
Murray said he had been too aggressive
Edited by Anna Archibald
KANSAS OPENING PITCH
AT A GLANCE
Kansas (19-13-1, 3-5-1) went into this weekend's series against No. 6 Texas on some what of a tear, but suffered a three game sweep – its first since last March. The last time the Jayhawks faced the Bears was on March 31 at Hoglund Ballpark, where they staved off a late rally and for the 7-6 victory.
PLAYER TO WATCH
MO. STATE OPENING PITCH
Senior first baseman Brett Lisher
Lisher was one of a handful of Jayhawks to have a solid offensive weekend in Austin. Lisher had a hit in each ballgame, including a three game effort on Friday, and also blasted his first home run of the season. Prior to the series in Texas, Lisher was mired in an 0-for-18 slump in Big 12 play. The Jayhawks need Lisher to continue to slug in the middle of their lineup.
QUESTION MARK
How will Kansas' bullpen respond to the loss of Bochv?
How will Kansas Bullden respond to the loss of Bohy? Bochy was putting up All American-caliber numbers as the Jayhawks' closer, so replacing him will be no easy feat. But Murray and Poppe have been sharp lately, and they'll need to continue to improve going forward. The Achilles heel for both is control. They both have electric stuff - each boasting a fastball in the mid-90's - but are only truly effective when they can consistently find the strike zone.
BY THE NUMBERS
15-1 — Kansas' record when leading after eight innings
0. 78 — Bochy's ERA
3. 95 Poppe and Murray's averaged ERA
IN PERSPECTIVE
After dropping three straight in Austin to No. 6 Texas, Kansas needs to get back in the win column. Missouri State played them tough last time out, but by all accounts this is a very winnable game. Especially with another tough Big 12 road series looming this weekend, the Jayhawks need a victory tonight.
Ben Ward
AT A GLANCE
Missouri State is at home after being swept by
southern State is at home after being swept by Missouri Valley Conference for Bradley this past weekend. After being shutout 7-0 in the first game of the series, Missouri State lost the last two games in late innings, 6-4 in game two and 9-8 in game 3.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Beau Stoker
In the last game between these two teams, Stoker preformed played a key role for the Bears in a 7-6 loss. His three RBI game helped the Bears stay with the Jayhawks until the late innings. Despite the strong game against the Jayhawks on March 31st, Stoker has struggled against other teams this season. His 21 total hits is the second lowest in the Bears starting neup.
QUESTION MARK
How will the Bears come out in this game after being swept?
The Bears are dead last in Missouri Valley Standings with a 1-5 record. With a win, they will have tons of momentum heading into a bye week on their schedule.
BY THE NUMBERS
9-5 Home record for Missouri State
269 strikeouts recorded by Missouri State batters, most in the Missouri Valley
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Joe Johnson scored 31 points to help the Atlanta Hawks beat the Milwaukee Bucks 104-96 in a matchup between potential first-round playoff opponents Monday night.
Marvin Williams added 18 points for the Hawks, who had six players score in double figures and continued to solidify their
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Johnson had 18 points in the first half on 8-for-12 shooting.
spot as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
John Salmons scored 28 and Brandon Jennings added 21 in the regular-season home finale for the Bucks. Jennings was 2 for 11 from 3-point range.
It was the second straight matchup with a potential firstround opponent for the Bucks, who lost to Boston on Saturday. Milwaukee dropped into sixth place in the East, a game behind fifth-place Miami, which beat Philadelphia 107-105.
Hawks forward Josh Smith pulled a groin muscle in the first quarter but returned midway through the second and finished with 11 points.
Associated Press
The Bucks and Heat each have one game remaining — and Milwaukee holds the tiebreaker.
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