UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Tuesday, March 4, 1997
3B
Infelder Sparky Wilhelm puts the tag on an Oklahoma State player at third base. Kansas wins Wichita State at 7 tonight at Hoglund-Maupin Stadium.
Jayhawks face tough stretch
Kansas will begin with Wichita State tonight in Lawrence
By Harley V. Ratliff Kansan sportswriter
For the Kansas baseball team, the road ahead doesn't get any easier.
The Jayhawks (6-4, 2-2), fresh off the first conference series of the season, will begin one of their most grueling and important stretches.
Starting with tonight's game against the Wichita State Shockers, Kansas will play six consecutive home games.
After playing the Shockers, the Jayhawks will play a three-game conference series with Nebraska and will finish up this weekend with a series against the St. Cloud State Huskies in Minnesota.
Despite the rigorous slate of games facing the Jayhawks, Kansas head coach Bobby Randall said his team was more than ready for the challenge.
"There is no question that your home schedule is important," Randall said. "But it comes at a good time for us. We would rather play these games sooner than later."
Only two days after their series with No. 21 Oklahoma State, The Jayhawks face another highly ranked opponent in Wichita State (3-2).
Kansas' in-state rival comes to Hoglund-Maupin Stadium ranked 13th in the nation and with a reputation for baseball excellence.
But despite the high ranking, Wichita State head coach Gene Stephenson said his perennial baseball powerhouse was not as talented as in years past.
The Shockers opened the season by pounding Arkansas-Little Rock and Friends University.
But after the 3-0 start, Wichita State dropped two consecutive games to Houston.
Stephenson said he was not sure about his team's chances against the Javhawks.
"We lost two games to a team that wasn't that good," Stephenson said. "We may be ranked in
"I'm not worried about his (Good's) inexperience, and either is he. Jake is a kid who has been well-schooled."
Bobby Randall Kansas baseball coach
the top 20, but right now we're not a top-200 team. We could very well get run-ruled in Lawrence."
Despite Stephenson's assessment, Randall said facing Wichita State meant playing one of the best programs in the nation.
He said his team would have to be prepared both mentally and physically.
"Any time you face Wichita State, it is going to be a tough draw," Randall said. "The hard thing is going to be sustaining a competitive level of play. That was something we didn't do very well against OSU."
Although his pitching staff surrendered 10 home runs in three games to Oklahoma State, Randall isn't concerned.
He said despite the number of games, this stretch would give his pitchers the chance to get some high-quality innings.
"OSU was one of the best hitting teams in college baseball," Randall said. "Our guys learned how important it is to compete on every pitch. Good teams will capitalize on your mistakes."
Freshman pitcher Jake Good has been given the responsibility of tackling the Wichita State hitters.
While Good (1-0) will be making the first start of his young career, Randall is confident his pitcher has the ability get the job done.
"Jake has been out against some good teams," Randall said. "I'm not worried about his inexperience, and neither is he. Jake is a kid who has been well-schooled."
KU SPORTS CALENDAR CORNER
KANSAS BASEBALL
TONIGHT!
vs.
7:00 pm
THE SHOCKERS
HOGLUND-MAUPIN STADIUM
7 Wichita St.
STADIUM
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY First pitch @ 3pm The JOHNNY'S 500 and Molly McGee's Line Score Special
First pitch @ 3pm KLWN Name That Tune Contest
FRIDAY
First pitch @ 3pm
QUARTER DOG DAY!
vs.
SATURDAY
ST. CLOUD STATE
First pitch at 12pm • Doubleheader
KLWN Name That Tune Contest
First pitch @ 1pm
KLWN Name That Tune Contest
SUNDAY
KU Students... Join the Jayhawk Bullpen Get FREE seeds & a FREE t-shirt!
Red Lyon Tavern
KU Students Free with KUID!
A touch of Irish in downtown Lawrence
944 Mass. 832-8228
Rock Chalk Revue
Special Section
Coming March 13
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
The Bagel, Coffee & People Place
Massachusetts
1026 Massachusetts
913-838-9494
5 Wings $1.99
Small Cheese Pizza $1.89
12" Stix $3.74
Bread Stix $2.10
23rd & Kasold
3914 Clinton Parkway
913-838-3600
Bonus Buys with any purchase
FAST FREE DELIVERY
841-5000 1445 W.23rd
GUMBY DAMMIT XLarge Cheese Pizza
$3.99*
or 2 for $7.99
add. topping .99¢/ pizza
*minimum delivery $4.98
Eat Limit
For Limited Time Only