8B the university daily kansan
news
thursday, april 22, 2004
www.cleanairlawrence.org
also at the Granada...
Friday April 30th
ANYTHING BUT JOEY w/ RIVA
FREE SHOW 8 p.m.
GORDON: Player's versatility key to switch
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
He had another big hit in the spring game.
But Mangino didn't put him at cornerback to hit people. Gordon is at cornerback to blanket the other team's receivers. It is here that his ball-handling skills may help out. Gordon's fluid hips contribute to his uncanny ability to find the ball once it's in the air. He snagged three Hail Mary passes away from cornerbacks last season, and this year, he should be on the other side.
Unfortunately, sometimes the cushions were a little bit too big, which led to games like the North Carolina State loss at the Tangerine Bowl.
It is here that Gordon's versatility comes in. While he is quick enough to stay with most receivers, he can also be a strong zone cornerback because he breaks quickly on the ball. In the spring game, Jason Swanson, junior quarterback, tried to throw a sideline route for Scott Bajza, senior wide receiver, but Gordon broke on the ball and picked it off. In a flash, he was across the other goal line, and the game its first touchdown.
With strong cornerbacks, defenses can take more chances. Last season Kansas often sat back in zone defense because they simply lacked the cornerbacks to stay with the other team's wide receivers.
"I'm not sure Derek Jeter could have made that play," Mangino said. "It was a true shoestring catch."
Possibly his best attributes are his hands. He can make the circus catch or the routine one, which makes him more exciting than the cornerback who knocks the ball down. It could also lead to more offensive possessions next season if Gordon holds on to the ball when quarterbacks make mistakes.
wide receiver?
So, what about Gordon a
Gordon said he would still like to play offense, and Mangino will probably let him dabble a bit.
As the slot wide receiver last season, Gordon led the team in catches and yards, and should be dangerous if put there again. It has not been uncommon in recent years for teams to put cornerbacks like Charles Woodson, Champ Bailey and Chris Gamble on offense to try and exploit defensive matchups. But when he's only playing 10 plays per game on offense, the Jayhawks will have to find some way to get the ball in his hands and in a position to make a play.
For now though, he should just focus on being the shutdown cornerback by the Jayhawks need.
"Charles is probably our best cornerback right now," Mangino said. "I'm not surprised by anything Charles does anymore."
— Edited by Collin LaJoie
SOFTBALL: Improved hitting helps success
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
scored until the tenth inning.
Torres then laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Frazer around. An error by the second baseman allowed Torres to reach first safely and Frazer scored.
Per the International Tie-Breaker Rule, sophomore pinch hitter Ashley Frazer was placed on second base.
score. Frankenstein was called out at the plate.
Arkansas only scored one in the bottom of the tenth.
Frankenstein drew an intentional walk, causing freshman designated player Nicole Washburn to put down a sacrifice bunt. Another error by the second baseman allowed Torres to
Kansas had been in a hitting slump until recently, but the team has recorded nine runs in the last three games.
"It all about confidence," Bunge said. "If you're confident, you'll go up to the plate and hit better."
The only run in game two came in the top of the second.
man Jessica Moppin reached second.
Kansas senior center fielder Mel Wallach singled to third base, which advanced sophomore designated player Serena Settlemier to second base and sophomore second base-
After another player reached base, a walk by sophomore third baseman Nettie Fireros moved Settlemier home. Moppin was tagged out at first on a fielder's choice hit by freshman pitcher Kassie Humphreys.
Pierce and Humphreys are now 15-10 and 12-9 respectively. Kansas will head to Oklahoma this weekend for a Saturday and Sunday series against the University of Oklahoma.
Edited by Amanda Kim Stairrett
BASEBALL: Season sweep denied
4.24.04
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
third, fourth and fifth innings.
Junior left fielder Andy Scholl doubled in the fourth and scored off a wild pitch to make the game 4-2. In the next inning, the score moved to 5-2 when junior infielder Travis
Metcalf drove in Ryan Baty for another run.
Wichita State rallied back in the sixth with a two-run double by the nine-hole hitter Smarsh. The score remained 5-4 in favor of Kansas until the bottom of the ninth.
Wichita State won the game 6-5 on a walk-off home run by Joe Muich.
The loss drops the 'Hawks' record to 24-20-1. The Shockers move to 24-7 on the season. Next stop for Kansas will be Waco, Texas, on Friday to take on Baylor.
Edited by Abby Mills