KU Hosts Missouri in Baseball Border Showdown
March 30, 2006
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
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Matchup: #29 Missouri (15-9, 5-1 Big 12) at Kansas (18-10, 2-4 Big 12)
Dates/Times:
Friday, March 31, 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 1, 2 p.m.
Sunday, April 2, 1 p.m.
Location: Lawrence, Kan.
Stadium: Hoglund Ballpark (2,500)
Internet: GameTracker at KUathletics.com
Radio: KLWN (1320 AM) and online at KUathletics.comSeries: MU leads 191-117
KU Coach: Ritch Price (12th season, 4th at Kansas)
Record: 337-325-2, 120-97-1 at KU
MU Coach: Tim Jamieson (12th season at MU and overall)
Record: 379-271-2 overall and at MU
Promotions:
Friday — “Biggest Group” Contest
Saturday — Jayhawk Water Bottle Giveaway (first 300 fans) and Karaoke Contest
Sunday — Free popcorn for fans wearing blue; Family Day (2 adults GA & 2 youth GA tickets, 4 hot dogs and 4 drinks for $30 OR 2 adults GA & 2 youth GA tickets for $12). After the game children can run the bases and get autographs.
Probable Starting Pitchers:
Friday
Sean Land, LHP, Jr.
Nathan Culp, LHP, Jr.
Saturday
Ricky Fairchild, RHP, Sr.
Max Scherzer, RHP, Jr.
Sunday
Kodiak Quick, RHP, Sr.
Rick Zagone, LHP, Fr.
Leading Off
The University of Kansas (18-10, 2-4 Big 12) will host Border Showdown rival Missouri (15-9, 5-1 Big 12) in a three game Big 12 series this weekend. The first game of the set is scheduled for Friday, March 31 at 6 p.m. Saturday’s game will start at 2 p.m. with the series finale set for 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Quick Hits
-Wednesday’s mid-week tilt against Wichita State drew the largest crowd in Hoglund Ballpark history. An announced crowd of 2,324 saw KU defeat the Shockers, 8-2.
-KU’s RPI entering this weekend is 32nd in the country while the Big 12 has the third best league RPI according to warrennolan.com.
-Kansas is 3-7 against the Tigers under Ritch Price. KU is 2-1 at Hoglund Ballpark during that time.
-Kansas is in the midst of playing nine of 10 games at home.
-As of Thursday, senior closer Don Czyz was tied for second in the NCAA with nine saves. Cal State Fullerton’s Vinnie Pestano has 10 saves while UC Irvine’s Blair Erickson also has nine (boydsworld.com).
-13 of the Jayhawks 18 wins have been come-from-behind victories.
-KU is 13-0 this year when leading after seven innings and 8-0 when holding its opponents to 2 or less runs.
A Look at Missouri
The Tigers enter the weekend on top of the Big 12 standings with a 5-1 record. MU dropped to 15-9 overall after losing to Southeast Missouri State via a walkoff home run on Wednesday night. After sweeping Texas A&M to open its Big 12 slate, Missouri took two or three games from Kansas State last weekend.
Sophomore Evan Frey (.421) and senior Zane Taylor (.402) lead a Missouri team that is hitting .292 on the year. Catcher Jacob Priday leads the Tigers with three homers and 26 RBI. MU’s pitching staff is led by junior all-american Max Scherzer. Scherzer has started four games this season and compiled a 3-1 record while striking out 31 batters in 25 innings. Senior Taylor Parker has come out of the bullpen to save five games this season with a 1.17 ERA.
Family Tree
KU’s Preston and Sean Land are related to Missouri’s all-american Max Scherzer. The three are cousins in-law as the Land’s dad’s brother is married to Max’s mom’s sister. Sean and Max were the starting pitchers in last season’s series opener (May 13, 2005) with Scherzerr’s Tigers gaining the victory.
Mark Your Calenders
With the cancelation of KU’s March 22 game against Creighton in Omaha, Neb., the Jayhawks have announced an additional game. KU will host Tabor College at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19.
