March Madness comes in two forms – the mania surrounding the end of basketball season, and the frustration of trying to play early-season spring sports.
Snow and chilly weather have forced Kansas University to make revisions in weekend baseball and softball games.
The Jayhawk Classic, KU’s home-opening softball tournament, has been expanded from two days to three so that games won’t have to be played after dark at Arrocha Ballpark.
Kansas will meet Indiana State at 3 p.m. today, then tangle Sunday with Pittsburgh at noon and Indiana State again at 4 p.m. before wrapping up the four-team tourney against Western Illinois at 2 p.m. Monday.
Meanwhile, Friday’s wet snow forced postponment of Friday’s scheduled KU-North Dakota State weekend series opener. Now the Jayhawks and Bison will try to play a 1 p.m. doubleheader today and an 11 a.m. twinbill on Sunday.
Last year KU’s baseball team had 14 games either postponed or canceled because of weather.
KU’s softball team played the last four weekends on the road and compiled a 15-5 record. It’s the Jayhawks’ fastest start in five years.
Outfielder Dougie McCaulley has been the hottest hitter with a .403 batting average, fifth best in the league. First baseman Amanda Jobe is the club’s home run (4) and RBI leader (12).
Right-hander Val George has been the pitching pace-setter with a 7-1 record and an 0.75 earned-run average. Sarah Vertelka is 4-2 with a 1.60 ERA, and Allie Clark rounds out the three-member circle staff with a 4-2 record and 2.21 ERA.
KU baseball team has split its first 10 games. Outfielder Nick Faunce leads the Jayhawks with a .448 batting average. DH Casey Larson is hitting .428 and catcher Buck Afenir .389.
Left-hander Wally Marciel has been the early pitching standout with a 2-1 record and a 2.70 ERA. Sam Freeman is 2-0 with a 4.09 ERA and Shaeffer Hall is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA.