Fridav. Mav 4,2001
The University Daily Kansan
Section B·Page 3
Seniors suit up for the last time against K-State
Rvan Malashock
Ryan Malakshock
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas baseball team knows that it won't be playing in the postseason this year, but this weekend the Jayhawks have the chance to ruin another team's chances.
Starting with today's 4 p.m. game in Manhattan, the Jayhawks (21-29 overall and 5-22 in the Big 12 Conference) take on in-state rival Kansas State (24-24 and 9-15) in a three-game series and will attempt to knock the Wildcats out of contention for the Big 12 Conference postseason tournament. The Wildcats sit in seventh place at 9-15 and probably need at least two victories against the Jayhawks to qualify for the postseason.
"Our teams have never gotten along," said senior John Nelson, referring to the rivalry held between Kansas and Kansas State. "The games with them are always a lot of fun, and there will be a lot of pride involved."
For seniors Nelson, Brent Del Chiaro, Jesse Greminger, Sam Gish, Eric Thompson and Pete Smart, the Kansas State series will mark the last time they wear a Jayhawk uniform in conference play. Kansas coach Bobby Randall said that despite the hard times the seniors suffered through their years at Kansas, this year's seniors meant the world to him.
"It's going to be sort of bittersweet this week." Randall said. "These seniors are exceptional men and have given their all while they've been here. I'm soproud of them."
One senior that won't have the option of suiting up this weekend is injured senior outfielder Doug Dreher. Randall said Dreher's injury killed the Jayhawks during the season.
"Doug's such a great player and such a great guy," Randall said. "Who knows how many more games we might have won if he was in the lineup?"
Smart will take the mound against the surging Wildcats in today's office. He'll be facing a red-hot Kansas State club that has swept UCLA and Missouri the past two weekends.
Randall said the rivalry between the Jayhawks and Wildcats makes this weekend special, regardless of each team's record.
"This is so special for the guys who are from Kansas," Randall said. "In a way, I think that the rivalry is bigger for Kansas State because we have to worry about rivaries with them and Missouri. But the rivalry is big between the two schools."
The two teams will return to play games Saturday and Sunday in Lawrence. Junior Doug Lantz takes the mound for Kansas in Saturday 7 p.m. game at Hoglund Ballpark. Gish will start Sunday's 2 p.m. finale.
Edited by Sydney Wallace
Baseball
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