It’d be hard for the Kansas University baseball team to complain during a season-long 12-game homestand.
The Jayhawks are 8-1 in nine straight games at Hoglund Ballpark — their only hiccup a 9-7 loss Saturday to Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Senior third baseman Travis Metcalf said the schedule had helped KU’s fresh faces.
“We’re molding well right now with all the new guys we have,” Metcalf said.
“I think this has been a great chance for the new guys to get ready for Big 12 baseball.”
The Jayhawks wind up the home stretch this weekend with a three-game series against Arkansas Little-Rock (6-4), starting at 3 p.m. today at Hoglund.
Kansas (15-8-1) is no stranger to ALR. The teams split a doubleheader last season in Little Rock — the Jayhawks won the opener, 7-4, but lost the nightcap 4-5. Senior outfielder Matt Tribble lead KU with four hits in the victory.
Kansas coach Ritch Price said Trojan pitcher Brad Cherry, now a senior, was one of the best players his club faced last year. Cherry recorded nine strikeouts in Little Rock’s 4-5 victory.
“They’re going to play hard, and we are going to have to match their intensity,” Tribble said.
Senior left hander Ryan Knippschild (3-2) will start for KU today against Bennett Cromer (2-1).
Junior Clint Schambach (1-0) will pitch against Cherry (1-1) at 1 p.m. Saturday, and KU junior Mike Zagurski (2-0) will start at 1 p.m. Sunday against a yet-to-be-determined ALR pitcher.
Kansas travels Tuesday to Tulsa, Okla. to take on Oral Roberts.
