KANSAS FOOTBALL Senior linebacker Ronnie Ward is ready to get back to playing after missing the 1995 season with an injury. Page 6.
SPORTS
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10.1996
KANSAS BASEBALL
Walks lead to a Jayhawk loss
Record crowd sees blown chances lead to 9-5 Shocker win
Kansas senior second baseman Josh Kliner slides safely into third base during last night's game with Wichita State at Hoglund-Maupin
Steve Puppe / KANSAM
Stadium. The Shockers won the game, 9-5. Both teams will meet again a 7 tonight at Eck Stadium in Wichita.
By Dan Gelston Kansan sportswriter
They were glaring and impossible to ignore.
The number of walks issued by Kansas pitchers in last night's game was comparable to blemishes on prom night.
Three Kansas pitchers combined for 11 walks in a 9-5 loss to No.4 Wichita State before a record crowd of 1,848 fans at Hoglund-Maupin Stadium.
"I would have liked to walk a few less," Kansas baseball coach Bobby Randall said. "That was the difference in the game."
Indeed it was, as four of the Shocker batters who walked came around to score.
But it was a hit batsman who proved to be the winning run for the Shockers.
SECTION B
With the score tied at three in the fourth inning, Shocker right fielder Jerry Stine was hit by a pitch. After an out, he advanced to third on a single and a walk and ended up scoring on center fielder Randy Young's sacrifice fly.
"Our pitchers were a little wild tonight," Kansas catcher Ted Meadows said. "But it can't be blamed all on them. We had our chances to score, and we just didn't come through."
Kansas stranded nine base runners, including three in a pivotal seventh inning.
With one out, center fielder Isaac Byrd reached on a bunt single, and second baseman Josh Kliner and Meadows followed with walks.
Wichita State led 6-4 entering Kansas' half of the seventh.
Designated hitter Sparky Wilhelm struck
out, but then Shocker reliever Braden Looper uncorked a wild pitch during right fielder Mike Dean's at-bat.
Byrd was caught in a run down but scored when catcher's interference was called on Brian Preston. The score then stood at 6-5 in favor of Wichita State.
Dean then singled to load the bases, but third baseman Andy Juday struck out, ending the inning.
"We just didn't get the job done," Kansas shortstop DeMarco said. "We had our chances, but we couldn't capitalize."
Round Two
Byrd agreed.
"We let a couple of situations go that could have turned the game around," he
Kansas wouldn't get any closer, as Jayhawk reliever Casey Barrett allowed three runs in two innings.
said.
Kansas starting pitcher Clay Baird (4-4)
lasted only four innings, giving up four
runs, all earned, on five hits and four
walks.
Ben Thomas (7-0) picked up the win for Wichita State. Despite entering the game with a 0.29 earned run average, the Jayhawks got to him for four earned runs in 5 1/3 innings.
Kansas, 16-17 overall, 6-11 Big Eight Conference, has now lost four consecutive games and has a losing record for the first
Kansas (16-17) vs. No. 4 Wichita State (22-4)
time since Feb.11.
7 tonight, Eck Stadium, Wichita
"I think we've got to stick together," DeMarco said. "Winning will take care of itself. As we keep playing hard and keep fighting, we'll get back on track."
The Jayhawks will get a shot at redemption when they play the Shockers, 22-4, at 7 tonight at Eck Stadium in Wichita.
Softball team splits another doubleheader
Steve Puppe / KANSAN
Kansas sophomore right fielder Sara Holland connects on a pitch in yesterday's second game with Iowa State at Jayhawk Field. The Jayhawks defeated the Cyclones in the first game 5-4 but lost the second 3-1. Kansas is 23-14 overall and 5-4 in the Big 12 Conference.
Jayhawks eager to put their victories in pairs
By Jenni Carlson Kansan sportswriter
Splitting doubleheaders is becoming all too common for the Kansas softball team.
The Jayhawks split their third consecutive doubleheader and fourth in five yesterday, defeating Iowa State 5-4 and then losing 3-1.
"We are gaining no ground in the Big 12 Conference race by continually splitting," Kansas softball coach Gayle Luedke said. "We've got to figure out some way to put good games back-to-back."
Winning a game and losing one in a twin bill is not easy on the players. Kansas freshman pitcher Sarah Workman, who picked up the save in yesterday's first game and then suffered the loss against the Cyclones, said splitting left the team at zero
With yesterday's split at Jayhawk Field, Kansas moved to 23-14 overall and 5-4 in the Big 12. Iowa State is 14-11 overall and tied with the Jayhawks for fourth place in the conference at 5-4.
"There are some times that we come out
and we're spitfire, ready to go. And there's sometimes it's like," Workman said, pausing to search for the words to explain, "I don't know. I don't even know how to explain it. It's just not the same."
The first game yesterday made it look as if the Jayhawks might steam roll the Cyclones. Kansas got out to a quick 4-0 advantage, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning.
Sophomore right fielder Sara Holland led off with a single to left and moved to second on a fielder's choice.
There were runners at the corners after sophomore shortstop Michelle Hubler singled to left field. Then, an error on Iowa State third baseman Wendy Walls loaded the bases.
Kansas sophomore catcher Kristina Johnson responded to the situation, lacing a pitch into right field. Iowa State right fielder Missy Danilson misplayed the ball, and it squirted past her as three Jawhaws scored.
Johnson came home on an infield single from senior left fielder Katie Morgan, and Kansas led 4-0.
The Jayhawks struck again in the fifth inning. With Morgan at third and sophomore designated hitter Jennifer Funkhouster at first, Luedke called for a double steal and Morgan scored.
Despite trailing 5-0, Iowa State made a late charge in the seventh inning and bumped Kansas starting pitcher Beth Robinson (11-5) from the game.
"We got caught back on our heels that first game," Iowa State softball coach Deb Kuhn said. "I feel like we have an offense that can really exlude at any time, though."
Kansas seemed to take a step back while Iowa State moved on up. Despite scoring a run in their half of the first inning, the Jayhawks had difficulty mounting an offensive threat and sat down 1-2-3 in three of the next five innings.
The Jayhawks attempted their comeback in the seventh innings, though. With one out, sophomore second baseman Heather Richins hit a single between the Cyclone shortstop and third baseman. Sophomore pinch hit Kaele Saal followed suit, sending a single up the middle.
But Kansas could not manage to score with two on and one out. Sophomore center fielder Julie True struck out on three consecutive pitches, and Holland ended the game with a 6-3 out.
"It almost feels self-defeating." Holland said. "You win one, you lose one. We need to learn to go out and win them both, because that's when you play on top and keep winning and winning."
Crimson Girls dance their way to a national title
By Adam Herschman
Kansan sportswriter
"The kids really sold the routine," said Elaine Brady, Kansas spirit squad advisor. "This squad is really like a family. They really care about each other."
The National Cheerleading and Danz Association named the Crimson Girls as the 1995-96 national college dance champions at the competition, held in Daytona Beach, Fla.
The Kansas Crimson Girls have something to cheer after being named the best dance sound in the nation last Friday.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The 1995-96 Crimson Girls pose in their Latin costumes at the National Cheerleading and Danz Association championships in Daytona Beach, Fla. The squad won first place.
"We had to sit in the winners' circle until we got bumped out," said Megan Denton, Ottawa junior. "But we never got bumped out."
Besides competing with the team, Denton also won the inaugural NCA soloist dance competition on Thursday night.
"We all had an incredible experience together." Denton said.
second since Brady started the dance team 10 years ago.
Julie Hammond, Hays senior and two-time team captain, said there was a lot of tension and stress within the squad to repeat as champions last year, and this time they just wanted to enjoy the performance.
The Crimson Girls competed second, right after Colorado State, and after they scored an 8.208 out of 10 points, they were sent to the winner's circle
After winning the competition in 1994, Kansas placed third last year.
The championship was the Crimson Girls'
Practicing five days a week for two hours in addition to performing at games paid off. The Crimson Girls received two trophies — one for the division championship and one for the grand championship — $1,000, and NCA champion iackets and hats.
"We went into it saying, 'We want to have fun,'" Hammond said. "I really believe that's when it naturally happens."
The two minute, 17 second routine featured a Latin theme. The music and routine was put together by professional dancer and choreographer, Bob Gaynor. Gaynor, who now dances on tour with Reba McEntire, flew in from California and worked with the Crimson Girls for a weekend.
One of the highlights of the routine was when the Crimson Girls ripped off their ruffled, right sleeve, which turned into a pompon.
The sleeves were designed by the mother of Lindsev Lannon, Leawood freshman.
"Besides being teammates, we're all really close friends," Larson said. "Instead of competing individually, we compete as a group."
The Crimson Girls have a week off before
beginning the clinic and tryouts for next year's squad. Students who are interested in joining the group should attend a clinic at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Anschutz Sports Pavilion to learn the routine for tryouts, which are at 6:30 p.m. the next day.
The competition will air at 12:30 p.m. Saturday on NBC, cable channel 8.
NBA cash difficult to ignore
I have a secret to share.
Last year I was tempted to leave college a year early and sign a big contract with the National Journalist Association. My professors said it was the right thing to do, because the money wouldn't always be there, but the University of Kansas would.
at the university of Kansas would.
But I decided to come back and work for the Kansan. My loyalities to the team of student journalists I am a part of meant more than millions of dollars.
OK, I'll stop before this gets ludicrous. The point is that students who play college basketball, football or baseball are the only ones who get this sort of opportunity. Most folks aren't even guaranteed a job after spending four years or more earning a bachelor's degree.
Deep in my heart, I don't want Jacque Vaughn to leave Kansas early. It would seriously hurt whatever chances the Jayhawks have at cutting down the nets at the 1997 Final Four in Indianapolis.
Leaving college after one's freshman or sophomore year is a bad idea. No player can be above the NCAA competition level after one or two years. But if a college junior is mature enough and has the talent to succeed in the NBA, so be it.
Speaking of leaving, another Kansas men's assistant basketball coach may soon put his house up for sale. Matt Doherty is one of several candidates for the head job at Long Beach State.
If Doherty gets the job, he will become the fourth Roy Williams assistant to leave Kansas for a head coaching position.
I suppose such a promotion says great things for both Williams and the coaches who leave, but soon the Jayhawks may have a tough time finding assistants to fill what has become an annual vacancy on the bench. I guess it's just another reason why Kansas basketball is so great.
1
Despite my negative feelings about the NBA, I have to tip the cap to the Chicago Bulls, who will probably set a league record for victories in a season with 70.
If only they wouldn't appear on television so much, maybe my mood about the league would improve.
At his press conference last week, Kansas football coach Glen Mason said he wasn't concerned about low attendance at home games despite having a top 10 team.
It appears former Nebraska I-back Lawrence Phillips will be the first pick in the 1996 NFL draft. Doesn't anyone remember that he broke into a teammate's apartment and beat his ex-girlfriend a little more than six months ago?
Maybe I should have thought twice about staving in school last year.
Now someone who, in my opinion, belongs in counseling can sit back and count his millions.
He should be, though. Kansas isn't just a basketball school anymore. The success and prestige Mason has brought to this program should only continue to grow in the next five years or so. The least that students, faculty and alumni can do is to show up and support the Jayhawks.
Just yesterday I overheard a student asking whether she had to buy football tickets to get those coveted basketball coupons. I'm tired of the negative attitude that Kansas football has to carry on its back.
Perhaps a new or remodeled Memorial Stadium would bring out more fans. But that isn't why they stay away.
So why not take a few hours on Saturday, April 27, to see the annual Blue-White game at Memorial Stadium.
Fans will like what they see.
I can remember when a trip to Royals/Kauffman Stadium meant a great baseball game, not a chance to see a giant lion named Sluggerrr and walls covered with advertising.
But I guess that's life in the new, corporate world of sports. It won't keep me from going to the "K," but it's still a little bit discouraging.