THE UNIVERSITY DARY KANSAN
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2008
SPORTS
3B
BALANCE (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
especially if the wind is at their backs.
especially if the wind is at their backs. However, Price feels his left-handers differ in style to throw hitters off from game to game. In particular, Price said junior Sam Freeman had the best fastball on the team, which ranged from 88-93 mph, as well as one of the best changeups on the team. Junior Andy Marks, Price continued, was more of a breaking ball, changeup pitcher. The only other pitcher Price mentioned was junior Nick Czyz, who he said was working on becoming a better control pitcher.
If the southpaws can pitch effectively, Price said they could offer additional benefits.
"Part of our plan is to try to contain the left-handed hitters in our conference and control the running game," Price said.
Senior shortstop Erik Morrison, a right-handed hitter and proud of it, said the goal for the Kansas offense was to score six runs a game. But with the depth he sees up and down the order, Morrison said six was more of a minimum than a maximum.
Of course, if it's up to Jayhawk hitters, they'll give their starting pitchers plenty of wiggle room, no matter which arm they throw with.
"We're not going to be settling for six runs a game," Morrison said. "You want to get up into double-digits. You want to get teams away. You want to step on their throat and put them down. In this conference, everyone's so deep that anyone can come back."
—Edited by Russell Davies
The Vulcans began their season last weekend against Hawai'i Manao and lost the series, 1-2. After three games, three players are off to good starts, offensively. Second baseman Michael Higa is batting .700 with the team's only home run, four runs and two RBI. Third baseman Shane Kessel is second on the team in batting with a .400 average and .500 on-base percentage. Center fielder Dayne Ogawa is batting .308 and leads the team in doubles with two. Of Hawaii-Hilo's projected starting pitchers, only right-hander Clayton Uyechi has an ERA
under 3.00 after allowing a lone unearned run in six innings last weekend. As a staff, the Vulcans have walked 14 batters in 27.2 innings while having struck out just 11.
"The biggest thing I want to see is the sun." - Sophomore left-hander Wally Marcel, a Kaillua, Hawaii, native, on what he was most looking forward to as he returns home.
— Edited by Jessica Sain-Baird
about Hawaii-Hilo
Even with solid production from its lineup and strong outings from its rotation, Kansas will rely just as much on its bench and bullpen. Defensively, Kansas will use senior Matt Berner as its top utility man, senior Justin Elrith could see some time at first base, senior Joe Southers could get some action behind the plate and senior Casey Larson and freshman Brian Heere will play some in the outfield. Ellrich and Southers could also be rotated into the
designated hitter role, while Larson may also be used as a pinch runner. Senior Eric Snowden will be Kansas' primary pinch hitter. In the bullpen, senior right Hiarall Garcia, Junior lefty Daniel Manos, sophomore right-handers Thomas Marcin and Brett Bollman and freshman right T.J. Walz will be relied upon to bridge the gap to closer Paul Smyth.
statistics
Edited by Jessica Sain-Baird
Kansas vs. Hawaii-Hilo All-Time
24-7-0
HAWAII-HILO (1-2)
Starting Position Players
Starting Position Players
C Peter Rodgers
1B Alvis Satele
2B Michael Higa
3B Shane Kessel
SS Thomas Brown III
LF Ronel Trias
CF Dayne Ogawa
RF Colin Zimmermann
the bench
Hawaii-Hilo Projected Rotation
RHP Clayton Uyechi (0-0): 6 IP,
0.00 ERA, 3 SO
RHP Joe Davis (0-1): 6.1 IP, 4.26
ERA, 2 SO
LHP Kekoa Lee (1-0): 5.1 IP, 3.38
ERA, 2 SO
RHP Jake Mason (0-0): 6 IP
RHP Jesse Moon (0-0): 1.0 IP,
9.00 ERA, 0 SO
RHP Brian Shannon (NR)
KANSAS (0-0)
Starting Position Players
Kansas Projected Rotation
Starting Position P
C Buck Afenir
1B Preston Land
2B Robby Price
3B Tony Thompson
SS Erik Morrison
LF John Allman
CF Nick Faunce
RF Ryne Price
LHP Wally Marceli
LHP Shaeffer Hall
LHP Nick Czzy
LHP Sam Freeman
RHP Andres Esquibel
RHP Paul Smyth
Edited by Jessica Sain-Baird
milestone
watch
Milestone Watch
Career Home Runs
1. Travis Metcalf (2002-2004)
- 29
6. Erik Morrison (2005-
present) - 24
6. Ryne Price (2005-present) - 24
1. Ritchie Price (2003-2006)
- 53
Hit By Pitch
2. John Allman (2005-present) - 40
3. Ryne Price (2005-present) - 38
- Edited by Jessica Sain-Baird
Rachel Anne Seymour/KANSAN
》 MLB
Kansas's main pitchers: from left, Nick Czvz, Paul Smyth, Andres Esquibel, Wally Marcel and Shaeffer Hall. Sam Freeman not pictured.
Royals player on the move again
BY DOUG TUCKER ASSOCIATED PRESS
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Watching Mark Teahen trotting into left field can only mean one thing: a terrific new left fielder will soon show up in Kansas City.
That's been the pattern ever since Teahen made it to the big leagues. No sooner does he settle in at a position than somebody comes along to give him the boot. The lean, likable and exceptionally athletic Teahen is working on his third position in three years, asked once again to learn a new job because the Royals have given away his old one.
"Next year I think I'll try my hand at shortstop and second
Most players try to find a position, learn how to play it well, then stretch their careers out for as long as they can.
base, teahen deadpanned.
That's what Teahen had in mind when the
going to insist on playing right field.
Manager Trey Hillman, also at the fan fest, along with a number of players and front office executives, was sought out for a meeting right there on the spot.
So when, Teahen was asked the other day, did he find out he would be moving to left?
He thought he had found a home and was relieved to hear the Royals announce last winter that Jose Guillen, whom they signed to a rich free agent contract, would play left field.
"At the fan fest," he said.
— it's best to let him play whatever corner outfield he prefers.
But a couple of weeks later Guillen mentioned to someone at the Royals' fan fest that he was
Kansas City obviously figured that when it's paying a guy $12 million a year — a team record
His strong, accurate arm turned out to be an added asset. He ranked second in the AL and tied the team record with 17 outfield assists.
So now it's off to a new position for the versatile and always agreeable Mark Teahen.
"When I see them coming toward me with a catcher's mitt; That's when I'll put my foot down."
"When I see them coming toward me with a catcher's mitt
Gordon's position was third base, so Teahen was asked to move to right field. It was a position requiring skills that were radically different from what he had used as an infielder, but he was willing. After a slow start, he caught on.
But the next spring Alex Gordon, a former first-round draft pick who was long considered Kansas City's hottest minor league prospect, was deemed ready for the bigs.
Royals brought him up as a third baseman in 2005. He batted a disappointing .246 in 130 games but the next year made a breathtaking jump in slugging percentage, going from .376 to .517. While playing a solid defense, he batted .290 with 18 home runs and 69 RBIs.
MARK TEAHEN
Royals Outfielder
Actually, it does make sense putting Guillen in right, and it's something the Royals had been considering all along. That's where he has played almost his
That's when I'll put my foot down," he said.
entire career.
But he's also taking ground balls at first base, where he has played a few times in the past two years, and is listed as one of four candidates at that position as well. When Gordon needs a break, he could also work at third for a spell.
"I've got my first baseman's glove, my third baseman glove and my outfielder glove in my equipment bag," he said. "My shoulder's getting sore carrying it around, but I'll get through it."
Plus, there's a big need in left after the Royals declined to make a contract offer to Emil Brown, who played there the past three years while leading the team in RBIs.
And Teahen, who may be the best pure athlete on the 40-man roster, has proven he's willing and able to adapt.
"But at the same time, it's nice to work on a few different positions and make sure I'm good at all of them. As long as I'm in the lineup every day, I guess where I'm playing isn't a huge factor. They put me at positions because they know I can handle them."
Finding a permanent home
"would be nice" he acknowledges.
NCAA
Xavier wins ninth in a row
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CINCINNATI — Derrick Brown and C.J. Anderson had double-doubles Thursday night and No. 10 Xavier rolled to its ninth straight victory, 75-48 over Duquesne.
The Musketeers (23-4, 11-1) solidified their hold on first place in the Atlantic 10 with one of their more impressive performances.
B. J. Raymond went 5-of-6 for 13 points, making all three of his three-point attempts in the first half as Xavier took a 45-26 lead.
Brown finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Anderson had 13 points and 10 rebounds. Stanley Burrell filled in at point guard when Lavender was on the bench and had 12 assists.
Reggie Jackson had 12 points for Duquesne (16-9, 6-6), which didn't scored fewer than 59 in a game this season.
PULLMAN, Wash. — Derrick Low scored 15 points and Washington State relied on the
NO.17 WASHINGTON ST.
59. ARIZONA ST. 47
Pac. 10's best defense to shut down Arizona State.
Aron Baynes and Taylor Rochestie both had 10 points and six rebounds for Washington State (21-5, 9-5), which won its fourth straight, the longest current streak in the conference. The Cougars swept the two-game series with Arizona State for the second straight season.
Washington State, third in the nation in defense allowing 55 points per game, held Arizona State to 33 percent shooting, including 6-of-25 from 3-point range.
NO.21 NOTRE DAME 82,
PITTSBURGH 70
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Luke Harangody had 23 points and 12 rebounds and Tory Jackson added 16 points and 13 rebounds for Notre Dame, which overcame an 11-point deficit in the second half.
The Fighting Irish trailed 51-40 when Sam Young hit a 14-foot jumper with just under 14 minutes left. But Notre Dame responded with a 21-10 run, tying the game at 61 on a 3-pointer by Kyle McAlarney with 5:49 left.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Xavier forward Derrick Brown dunks the ball against Duquesne guard Reggie Jackson in the second half of a college basketball game on Thursday in Cincinnati. Xavier won 75-48.