Jayhawks Set to Battle Kansas State
April 28, 2005
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
The University of Kansas baseball team jumps back into league play this weekend after a two-game escape from its Big 12 conference schedule. The Jayhawks will battle in-state rival Kansas State in a key three-game series over the weekend as the two teams jockey for a spot in the upcoming Big 12 Baseball Tournament.
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The first game of the series will take place at KSU’s Tointon Stadium in Manhattan, Kan., on Friday at 6:30 p.m. KU’s Hoglund Ballpark will be the site of the final two games of the set, which are slated for Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Kansas enters the weekend having won its last three contests and sporting an overall record of 27-20 with a 4-10 mark in Big 12 action. Meanwhile, Kansas State boasts a 22-18 record this season, which includes a 6-12 league mark.
Freshman John Allman leads the offensive attack for the Jayhawks with a .365 batting average in 37 games this season. The St. Louis, Mo., native connected on his first career home run the last time KU took the field, a solo shot against Sacramento State on April 27. Junior outfielder A.J. Van Slyke also slammed a long ball against the Hornets to give him sole possession of the team lead with nine big flies this season. In addition to topping the team in home runs, Van Slyke also leads the Jayhawks with 46 runs batted in this season.
On the mound, junior pitcher Kodiak Quick will attempt to become the first Jayhawk since Pete Smart in 2001 to win at least nine games in a season. This season, Quick holds an 8-4 record with a 3.75 ERA. Freshman Tyson Corley will look to follow up his impressive performance in his first start as he takes the mound for KU in Saturday’s contest. Last weekend, Corley pitched seven strong innings to down Texas Tech.
Kansas State Wildcats (22-18; 6-12 Big 12)
vs.
Kansas Jayhawks (27-20; 4-10 Big 12)
Site: Tointon Stadium (2,331) — Manhattan, Kan.
Hoglund Ballpark (2,500) — Lawrence, Kan.
Game Time (CST) — Pitching Match-Up
Fri. (April 29) 6:30 p.m. — Quick (8-4) vs. Mitchell (4-5)
Sat. (April 30) 7 p.m. — Corley (1-0) vs. Walter (2-3)
Sun. (May 1) 2 p.m. — Zagurski (4-4) vs. Cowart (6-2)
Rankings: Both teams enter the weekend unranked
Coaches: Kansas head coach Ritch Price is 93-79-1 in his third year at KU and 309-306-1 in his 11th overall year of coaching at the Division 1 level. KSU’s Brad Hill is in his second year at the helm of the Wildcats and has compiled a 48-48 record during his tenure.
Series Information
Series Record: Kansas leads 168-148
First Meeting: KU defeated KSU 9-6 in Lawrence during the 1897 season
Last Meeting: KU swept a three game series from KSU last season
In Lawrence: 76-57
In Manhattan: 67-71
Media Coverage
Audio: KLWN (1320 AM)
Live Stats: www.kuathletics.com
A Closer Look at Kansas State
The Wildcats enter the weekend as one of the Big 12’s hottest teams, having won their last two conference series. Last weekend, KSU overtook Texas A&M in the standings by taking two-of-three from the Aggies in Manhattan, only a week after it was able to take a pair of games from visiting Texas Tech.
Junior Jared Goedert leads the Wildcats with a .358 batting average in 123 at bats this season while junior outfielder Joe Roundy provides the power in the KSU line-up, leading the team with eight home runs and 34 RBI.
On the hill, junior pitcher Adam Cowart paces the team with a 6-2 record this season to go along with his 4.06 ERA. Cowart will take the hill for the Wildcats in Sunday’s contest.
Kansas Baseball Notes
Czyz Breaks School Record for Appearances
Junior closer Don Czyz has been a work horse for head coach Ritch Price in his three seasons at KU and when he came out of the bullpen against New Mexico State on April 26 he became a part of the KU record book by breaking the school record for appearances on the mound for the Jayhawks.
Czyz’s appearance was the 80th of his career and moves him past Jimmy Walker, who had 79 appearances for the Jayhawks between 1990 and 1993.
Kansas Adds Game with St. Mary’s to Upcoming Schedule
After April 24th’s contest with Texas Tech was washed out, Kansas skipper Ritch Price began searching for an opponent to replace the game on KU’s schedule and found a willing participant in Leavenworth’s St. Mary’s University.
The game will take place at Hoglund Ballpark on May 3 at 5 p.m.
Rain Prevents Series Finale With Texas Tech
After evening their three-game set with Texas Tech at one game apiece, the Jayhawks went to Dan Law Field on the morning of Sunday, April 24, looking to wins their first road conference series in the state of Texas since taking two-of-three from Texas Tech in 2003.
Unfortunately, it was not to be as a steady rain in the West Texas area prevented the game from getting underway and the contest was eventually cancelled due to Big 12 travel rules. The game will not be rescheduled.
