RCW: Bird's Eye View 3.36

Each week the Bird’s Eye View captures some of the best moments for Kansas Athletics. From the playing field, practice gym or behind the scenes, don’t miss this exclusive perspective into the Kansas Jayhawks.
 

Tradition – Junior pitcher Chase Kaplan performed the Rock Chalk Chant standing on a statue outside the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, during KU baseball’s annual Traditions Night on Tuesday, May 23, a day before the start of the Big 12 Baseball Championship. Newcomers to the team’s roster and staff entertained their teammates, friends and family.  

Photo by Jeff Jacobsen 

Old School – Junior first baseman Owen Taylor used a vintage glove to play catch with his father who used the same kind of “old school” glove before KU took on TCU in the opening round of the Big 12 Baseball Championship inside Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on Wednesday, May 24, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Photo by Laura Jacobsen 

Rays – The last few streams of sunlight inside Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark highlighted KU pitcher Taylor Turski as the junior threw six and 1/3 strong innings in his Big 12 Baseball Championship start, a 7-3 victory over TCU on Wednesday, May 24, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  

Photo by Jeff Jacobsen 

Lines Time – Senior relief pitcher Stephen Villines strolled from the bullpen to the mound in Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark for the penultimate time on Wednesday, May 24, to face TCU on the opening night of the Big 12 Baseball Championship in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Villines, the all-time saves leader for KU, threw a scoreless ninth inning in the 7-3 victory.

Photo by Jeff Jacobsen 

A Kids’ Game – Young baseball players paraded past the KU dugout and received high-fives from the Jayhawks before the Big 12 Baseball Championship game against TCU on Friday, May 26, inside Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

Photo by Jeff Jacobsen 

Tears – KU’s all-time saves leader, Stephen Villines, wiped away tears after the senior finished his illustrious career with a scoreless inning of relief in KU’s final game of the Big 12 Baseball Championship inside Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark against TCU in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Friday, May 26. 

Photo by Jeff Jacobsen