Kansas University’s softball team hopes it will be able to savor today’s 2 p.m. doubleheader against Bradley.
The Jayhawks, who have played only six home games, don’t have another game scheduled at newly christened Arrocha Ballpark until the last day of the month when Big 12 Conference foe Nebraska comes to town.
Kansas (17-8) is riding a four-game win streak, thanks in large part to the hot bat of senior center fielder Melanie Wallach, who has raised her average by nearly 100 points to .275 in the last 10 days.
Wallach had three hits — including two home runs — and drove in five runs during an 8-0 and 4-2 doubleheader sweep Tuesday afternoon at UMKC.
Sophomore shortstop Destiny Frankenstien drove in three runs against the Kangaroos and continues to lead the Jayhawks in hitting with a .333 average.
After today’s games against Bradley (9-8), the Jayhawks will embark on a six-game swing to Oregon, where Kansas will play Portland State on Saturday, Oregon State on Sunday and Oregon on Tuesday and Wednesday.
OKLAHOMA CITY ? Kansas University’s baseball team has some extra incentive facing a win-or-leave situation today in the Big 12 Baseball Tournament.
The Jayhawks will face the rival Missouri Tigers, who lost 11-0 to Baylor Thursday, at 1 p.m. today at SBC Bricktown Ballpark. The winner will play at least one more game in the tournament while the loser will go home.
“It would be nice to send Missouri home for once,” senior left fielder Casey Spanish said.
If the must-win factor isn’t enough reason for the Jayhawks to play their best, the Tigers swept a three-game series from KU in late March, the first three-game sweep of the Jayhawks by the Tigers since KU’s abysmal 14-40 season of 1999.
After Thursday’s 9-4 loss to Nebraska, junior first baseman Ryan Baty downplayed the revenge factor, but did admit that playing the Tigers would increase the Jayhawks’ readiness.
“We’re going to come out and we’re going to battle tomorrow,” Baty said. “Be it Missouri across the or Baylor across the field, it doesn’t matter. We’re going to come out and battle.
“But I’m not going to lie to you. It being Missouri, we’re going to be ready to play a little more. We’re going to want this win. We’ve grown a lot over this season, so we’re not going to let our emotions get the best of us — we’ll just go out and play the game and see what happens.”
The teams combined for 51 runs in the series in March, with Missouri twice reaching double digits. Another slugfest could be in store as neither starting pitcher performed well against today’s opponent.
The Jayhawks will start junior right-hander Chris Smart (2-5, 4.41 ERA) and the Tigers are likely to go with Justin James (7-6, 4.22). Smart gave up two runs and five hits in 2.2 innings of relief against Missouri this season, and James gave up seven runs and nine hits in 6.1 innings in his one start against Kansas.
“It’s an important game for us, but I’ve got to go out and handle it like a normal game, try to get ahead of the batters and let the defense work for me,” Smart said. “I think everybody’s going to be a little more intense since it is a must-win game. I’m real excited for us.”
Setting marks: Baty’s double in the first inning was his 95th hit of the season, tying him with Isaac Byrd (1996) for second all-time at KU. Joe DeMarco holds the record with 96 hits in 1997.
The double was the 44th of his career, tying him with Josh Kliner (1995-96) and John Wuycheck (1990-93) for eighth all-time, and 23rd of the season, which puts him in second place.
Casey Spanish’s two runs were the 146th and 147th of his career, putting him 10th at KU. They also were his 87th and 88th hits this season, moving him into fifth on the single-season list, and his 54th and 55th RBI, placing him ninth.
Senior catcher Sean Flynn played in his 60th game of the season, tying Igou (1993), Rory Tarquinio (1993) and Steve Dowling (1989) for eighth all-time.
Ledbetter sits: Nebraska’s Curtis Ledbetter, a Lawrence High graduate, didn’t start because of an injured shoulder suffered while making a diving catch Sunday against Baylor. Ledbetter hit .341 with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs in 48 regular-season games.
Bunting woes: Lance Hayes, one of KU’s two most consistent bunters, had problems laying down bunts, lining one to a charging Alex Gordon at third in the third inning and running into the ball on his next attempt in the fifth inning.
Kansas blanked Missouri on bluegrass. Now can the Jayhawks spill the Tigers on Bermuda grass?
No. 4 seed Kansas and No. 5 seed Missouri will clash at 1:30 p.m. today in the Big 12 Soccer Tournament at Bermuda-covered Blossom Complex in San Antonio.
“It’s probably an advantage for us,” KU coach Mark Francis said of playing on the shorter Bermuda. “Our grass slows the ball up, and we have players who run pretty well.”
SuperTarget Field, where KU spilled Missouri, 2-0, in its regular-season finale last Friday, has a bluegrass surface, so the Jayhawks practiced this week on the artificial turf at Memorial Stadium.
“It’s the closest we have to a Bermuda field around here,” Francis said. “A lot of our games have been on Bermuda, so we’re used to it.”
Kansas is riding the momentum of a four-game shutout streak. The Jayhawks are 13-5 overall the first winning season since the program was elevated to varsity status in 1995. All five losses have been to ranked teams.
This is also the highest-scoring and the best defensive team in school history. Seniors Hilla Rantala and Natalie Hoogveld have scored 10 and eight goals respectively, while freshmen Monica Brothers and Rachel Gilfillan have nine and eight respectively.
Hoogveld, KU’s career goals record-holder with 18, came here four years ago from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
“In the past people might have gotten used to losing too much,” Hoogveld said. “With all the new freshmen and transfers we don’t have that losing mentality. It’s awesome it’s now my senior year and we’re winning.”
Hoogveld’s lone recruiting trip to the U.S. was to Kansas.
“I was planning to go to the University of Calgary,” she said, “but I came here and liked it and figured it was worth a try. Now I’ve been here four years and I’m glad I stayed.”
Rantala, an second-team All-Big 12 selection, also has been credited with a dozen assists to rank No. 2 in the league behind Missouri’s Adrienne Davis, who leads the league in points with 37.
Davis was, of course, shut out last Friday at SuperTarget Field.
“She’s a very good player and we did a very good job on her,” Francis said. “Hopefully, we can do the same thing on Thursday.”
Freshman Meghan Miller, who made the All-Big 12 Newcomers team along with Brothers, was in goal during Friday’s shutout.
Still, Miller ranks only ninth in the league in saves per game, mostly because the Jayhawks’ defense has been so good that Miller hasn’t had that much work.
KU’s starting defenders are juniors Pardis Brown, Brianna Valento and Nikki Wahle, and freshman Stacy Leeper, Kansas high school player of the year last spring at Shawnee Mission East. Brown earned second-team All-Big 12 recognition.
“In the last three or four weeks our defenders have done a lot better,” Francis said, “and that’s been very good for us.”
If Kansas wins today, the Jayhawks will almost certainly have to tangle with No. 1 seed Texas in the semifinals on Friday. The Longhorns, who whitewashed Kansas, 3-0, two weeks ago, will meet No. 8 seed Iowa State at 11 a.m. today.
Kansas blanked Missouri on bluegrass. Now can the Jayhawks spill the Tigers on Bermuda grass?
No. 4 seed Kansas and No. 5 seed Missouri will clash at 1:30 p.m. today in the Big 12 Soccer Tournament at Bermuda-covered Blossom Complex in San Antonio.
“It’s probably an advantage for us,” KU coach Mark Francis said of playing on the shorter Bermuda. “Our grass slows the ball up, and we have players who run pretty well.”
SuperTarget Field, where KU spilled Missouri, 2-0, in its regular-season finale last Friday, has a bluegrass surface, so the Jayhawks practiced this week on the artificial turf at Memorial Stadium.
“It’s the closest we have to a Bermuda field around here,” Francis said. “A lot of our games have been on Bermuda, so we’re used to it.”
Kansas is riding the momentum of a four-game shutout streak. The Jayhawks are 13-5 overall the first winning season since the program was elevated to varsity status in 1995. All five losses have been to ranked teams.
This is also the highest-scoring and the best defensive team in school history. Seniors Hilla Rantala and Natalie Hoogveld have scored 10 and eight goals respectively, while freshmen Monica Brothers and Rachel Gilfillan have nine and eight respectively.
Hoogveld, KU’s career goals record-holder with 18, came here four years ago from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
“In the past people might have gotten used to losing too much,” Hoogveld said. “With all the new freshmen and transfers we don’t have that losing mentality. It’s awesome it’s now my senior year and we’re winning.”
Hoogveld’s lone recruiting trip to the U.S. was to Kansas.
“I was planning to go to the University of Calgary,” she said, “but I came here and liked it and figured it was worth a try. Now I’ve been here four years and I’m glad I stayed.”
Rantala, an second-team All-Big 12 selection, also has been credited with a dozen assists to rank No. 2 in the league behind Missouri’s Adrienne Davis, who leads the league in points with 37.
Davis was, of course, shut out last Friday at SuperTarget Field.
“She’s a very good player and we did a very good job on her,” Francis said. “Hopefully, we can do the same thing on Thursday.”
Freshman Meghan Miller, who made the All-Big 12 Newcomers team along with Brothers, was in goal during Friday’s shutout.
Still, Miller ranks only ninth in the league in saves per game, mostly because the Jayhawks’ defense has been so good that Miller hasn’t had that much work.
KU’s starting defenders are juniors Pardis Brown, Brianna Valento and Nikki Wahle, and freshman Stacy Leeper, Kansas high school player of the year last spring at Shawnee Mission East. Brown earned second-team All-Big 12 recognition.
“In the last three or four weeks our defenders have done a lot better,” Francis said, “and that’s been very good for us.”
If Kansas wins today, the Jayhawks will almost certainly have to tangle with No. 1 seed Texas in the semifinals on Friday. The Longhorns, who whitewashed Kansas, 3-0, two weeks ago, will meet No. 8 seed Iowa State at 11 a.m. today.
Kansas blanked Missouri on bluegrass. Now can the Jayhawks spill the Tigers on Bermuda grass?
No. 4 seed Kansas and No. 5 seed Missouri will clash at 1:30 p.m. today in the Big 12 Soccer Tournament at Bermuda-covered Blossom Complex in San Antonio.
“It’s probably an advantage for us,” KU coach Mark Francis said of playing on the shorter Bermuda. “Our grass slows the ball up, and we have players who run pretty well.”
SuperTarget Field, where KU spilled Missouri, 2-0, in its regular-season finale last Friday, has a bluegrass surface, so the Jayhawks practiced this week on the artificial turf at Memorial Stadium.
“It’s the closest we have to a Bermuda field around here,” Francis said. “A lot of our games have been on Bermuda, so we’re used to it.”
Kansas is riding the momentum of a four-game shutout streak. The Jayhawks are 13-5 overall the first winning season since the program was elevated to varsity status in 1995. All five losses have been to ranked teams.
This is also the highest-scoring and the best defensive team in school history. Seniors Hilla Rantala and Natalie Hoogveld have scored 10 and eight goals respectively, while freshmen Monica Brothers and Rachel Gilfillan have nine and eight respectively.
Hoogveld, KU’s career goals record-holder with 18, came here four years ago from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
“In the past people might have gotten used to losing too much,” Hoogveld said. “With all the new freshmen and transfers we don’t have that losing mentality. It’s awesome it’s now my senior year and we’re winning.”
Hoogveld’s lone recruiting trip to the U.S. was to Kansas.
“I was planning to go to the University of Calgary,” she said, “but I came here and liked it and figured it was worth a try. Now I’ve been here four years and I’m glad I stayed.”
Rantala, an second-team All-Big 12 selection, also has been credited with a dozen assists to rank No. 2 in the league behind Missouri’s Adrienne Davis, who leads the league in points with 37.
Davis was, of course, shut out last Friday at SuperTarget Field.
“She’s a very good player and we did a very good job on her,” Francis said. “Hopefully, we can do the same thing on Thursday.”
Freshman Meghan Miller, who made the All-Big 12 Newcomers team along with Brothers, was in goal during Friday’s shutout.
Still, Miller ranks only ninth in the league in saves per game, mostly because the Jayhawks’ defense has been so good that Miller hasn’t had that much work.
KU’s starting defenders are juniors Pardis Brown, Brianna Valento and Nikki Wahle, and freshman Stacy Leeper, Kansas high school player of the year last spring at Shawnee Mission East. Brown earned second-team All-Big 12 recognition.
“In the last three or four weeks our defenders have done a lot better,” Francis said, “and that’s been very good for us.”
If Kansas wins today, the Jayhawks will almost certainly have to tangle with No. 1 seed Texas in the semifinals on Friday. The Longhorns, who whitewashed Kansas, 3-0, two weeks ago, will meet No. 8 seed Iowa State at 11 a.m. today.
Kansas blanked Missouri on bluegrass. Now can the Jayhawks spill the Tigers on Bermuda grass?
No. 4 seed Kansas and No. 5 seed Missouri will clash at 1:30 p.m. today in the Big 12 Soccer Tournament at Bermuda-covered Blossom Complex in San Antonio.
“It’s probably an advantage for us,” KU coach Mark Francis said of playing on the shorter Bermuda. “Our grass slows the ball up, and we have players who run pretty well.”
SuperTarget Field, where KU spilled Missouri, 2-0, in its regular-season finale last Friday, has a bluegrass surface, so the Jayhawks practiced this week on the artificial turf at Memorial Stadium.
“It’s the closest we have to a Bermuda field around here,” Francis said. “A lot of our games have been on Bermuda, so we’re used to it.”
Kansas is riding the momentum of a four-game shutout streak. The Jayhawks are 13-5 overall the first winning season since the program was elevated to varsity status in 1995. All five losses have been to ranked teams.
This is also the highest-scoring and the best defensive team in school history. Seniors Hilla Rantala and Natalie Hoogveld have scored 10 and eight goals respectively, while freshmen Monica Brothers and Rachel Gilfillan have nine and eight respectively.
Hoogveld, KU’s career goals record-holder with 18, came here four years ago from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
“In the past people might have gotten used to losing too much,” Hoogveld said. “With all the new freshmen and transfers we don’t have that losing mentality. It’s awesome it’s now my senior year and we’re winning.”
Hoogveld’s lone recruiting trip to the U.S. was to Kansas.
“I was planning to go to the University of Calgary,” she said, “but I came here and liked it and figured it was worth a try. Now I’ve been here four years and I’m glad I stayed.”
Rantala, an second-team All-Big 12 selection, also has been credited with a dozen assists to rank No. 2 in the league behind Missouri’s Adrienne Davis, who leads the league in points with 37.
Davis was, of course, shut out last Friday at SuperTarget Field.
“She’s a very good player and we did a very good job on her,” Francis said. “Hopefully, we can do the same thing on Thursday.”
Freshman Meghan Miller, who made the All-Big 12 Newcomers team along with Brothers, was in goal during Friday’s shutout.
Still, Miller ranks only ninth in the league in saves per game, mostly because the Jayhawks’ defense has been so good that Miller hasn’t had that much work.
KU’s starting defenders are juniors Pardis Brown, Brianna Valento and Nikki Wahle, and freshman Stacy Leeper, Kansas high school player of the year last spring at Shawnee Mission East. Brown earned second-team All-Big 12 recognition.
“In the last three or four weeks our defenders have done a lot better,” Francis said, “and that’s been very good for us.”
If Kansas wins today, the Jayhawks will almost certainly have to tangle with No. 1 seed Texas in the semifinals on Friday. The Longhorns, who whitewashed Kansas, 3-0, two weeks ago, will meet No. 8 seed Iowa State at 11 a.m. today.
