Kansas Baseball Holds First Scrimmage of Fall Season

Sept. 25, 2010

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Kansas baseball held its first intrasquad scrimmage of the fall Saturday at Hoglund Ballpark. The team was split into two squads – Rock Chalk and the Jayhawks – with Rock Chalk winning the eight-inning exhibition, 10-7.

“I was pleased with the way we ran the bases and swung the ball,” Kansas head coach Ritch Price said. “Obviously the hitters had the advantage, because we just threw fastballs and changeups, but I was disappointed with our defense. I thought we made three or four really poor defensive plays and we need to catch the ball better behind the plate.”

Junior catcher Chris Manship was the offensive star of the scrimmage, going 3-for-3 with two doubles, a homer and a walk. Junior Jake Marasco also collected three hits in the scrimmage.

“I was excited to see (Manship) be physical with the bat because last year he didn’t hit a home run the whole season. It was good to see him be on time and have some rhythm with his swing,” Price said.

“I was also really pleased with the way Marasco swung the bat. He was a completely different guy than what he was at the end of the year last year. We need him to be an impact hitter in our lineup this year.”

Several pitchers threw during the scrimmage, including senior T.J. Walz and sophomore Tanner Poppe, who started the game for the opposing sides. Junior Colton Murray pitched a pair of scoreless innings to close out the contest.

The Jayhawks will scrimmage again on Sunday beginning at 10:30 a.m. The contest is open to the public. KU is holding its annual fall practice season during the months of September and October. The Jayhawks held their first fall practice on Thursday, Sept. 23.