Kansas Baseball

Kansas Opens the 2012 Home Schedule 7-4 Over North Dakota

2012-03-06T18:06:00.000-06:00

Kansas Baseball opened the 2012 home schedule with at 7 - 4 win over North Dakota at Hoglund Ballpark. The Jayhawks will host North Dakota in the final game of this week's two game series at 3:00 PM on Wednesday.

VIDEO: James Stanfield with an RBI single scores Jake Marasco from third who had reached base earlier in the inning with a double to left.

Home Opener: North Dakota

2012-03-05T17:04:00.000-06:00

Kansas will host North Dakota in the 2012 Home Opener tomorrow at 3:00 PM. The weather forecast is calling for a temperature of 71 degrees at the time of tomorrow's first pitch so be sure to head out to Hoglund Ballpark to support your Jayhawks. Tickets are availalble at kutickets.com or at the Hoglund Ballpark box office.

While you wait for tomorrow's home opener, get caught on up on tomorrow's game notes.

If you aren't able to make it out to Hoglund Ballpark be sure to follow live states and listen to free live audio on kuathletics.com.

March 6	North Dakota	3:00 PM	Gametracker	Free Streaming Audio
March 7	North Dakota	3:00 PM	Gametracker	Free Streaming Audio

UTSA Tournament Game Coverage

2012-03-01T16:51:00.000-06:00

Kansas heads to San Antonio, Texas for the UTSA Tournament before opening the 2012 home schedule against North Dakota on Tuesday, March 6th at 3:00 PM. Follow the Jayhawks this weekend with free Gametracker stats and free streaming audio from kuathletics.com.

March 2	@ UTSA	6:00 PM	Gametracker	Free Streaming Audio
March 3	vs Lousisiana - Lafayette	2:00 PM	Gametracker	Free Streaming Audio
March 4	vs Gonzaga	12:00 PM	Gametracker	Free Streaming Audio

Game Notes: UTSA Classic

2012-02-29T20:16:00.000-06:00

Location	San Antonio, Texas
Friday	at UTSA, 6 p.m.
Saturday	vs. Louisiana, 2 p.m.
Sunday	vs. Gonzaga, 12 p.m.
Radio	Jayhawk All-Access
Video	none
Live Stats	Kansas GameTracker
Game Notes	Kansas
	UTSA
	Louisiana
	Gonzaga
2012 Media Guide	Kansas
	UTSA

LEADING OFF: Kansas baseball hits the road for the second-consecutive weekend when it travels to Starkville, Miss., to play four games at Dudy Noble Field/Polk-Dement Stadium. The Jayhawks will face host Mississippi State on Friday at 6:30 p.m., and Saturday at 4 p.m. as well as Mississippi Valley State Friday at 2:30 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m.

ON THE AIR: Audio from all four games is available on Jayhawk All-Access. A link to the audio can be found at kuathletics.com. Mississippi State offers a live video feed for their home games, but a paid subscription is required to watch.

SERIES HISTORIES: The Jayhawks are 0-3 all-time against Mississippi State, including 0-2 in Starkville. KU was swept in a two-game series against the Bulldogs in 2005. This weekend's games will mark the first meetings between the Jayhawks and Mississippi Valley State.

ABOUT KANSAS: At 3-0, Kansas is off to its best start since it won the first five games of the 2007 season. The Jayhawks are coming off three impressive victories away from Hoglund Ballpark at the Music City Classic in Nashville, Tenn.

KU's offense did just enough to win the three games in Tennessee. Through three games, the Jayhawks are batting .255 as a team and have averaged 4.0 runs per game. Junior infielder Kevin Kuntz leads the team with a .500 batting average (5-for-10) with a double and two RBIs. The Jayhawk pitching staff was dominant over the weekend, holding its three opponents to just four runs on 15 hits. Reigning Big 12 Pitcher of the Week Thomas Taylor enjoyed the best start, going 8 1/3 scoreless innings with three hits, two walks and five strikeouts.

SCOUTING THE DELTA DEVILS: Mississippi Valley State enters the weekend in Starkville looking for its first victory of the season after dropping games to Florida A&M (5-2) and Eastern Illinois (11-2) at the Jackson State Tournament. MVSU returns seven letterwinners, including six pitchers from last year's team, which finished 18-36 overall. The Delta Devils were picked to finish fourth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference's East Division by Baseball America.

Mississippi Valley State's offense produced two runs in each of its first two games, while batting .172 as a team. The Delta Devils were led by DH Clay Perry, who went 3-for-6 in the contests against Eastern Illinois and Florida A&M. Junior 3B Seth Milliorn also had a pair of singles and drove in one of the four Delta Devil runs in the tournament.

Senior LHP Trey Lacy started MVSU's season opener and worked four innings, allowing three earned runs on eight hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Freshman relief pitcher Chris Broadway was the team's most effective hurler, tossing 4 2/3 shutout innings in relief of Lacy against Alabama A&M, allowing three hits with no walks and three strikeouts.

MVSU head coach Doug Shanks is in his 13th season with the Delta Devils and has a record of 257-368 at the school.

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS: Mississippi State enters its second weekend of action with a 2-1 record, after taking two of three from Washington State in Starkville. The Bulldogs are receiving votes in the current National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association poll. MSU was picked to finish fourth in the Southerneastern Conference's Western Division.

The Bulldogs' offense averaged 5.3 runs per game in its first series of the season and batted .327 as a team with two homers and nine doubles. Junior 1B Trey Porter led the way, going 6-for-10 with four RBIs and both of the team's home runs. Sophomore 3B Daryl Norris also had a big first weekend, going 5-for-13 with a double and two RBIs against the Cougars.

MSU's pitching staff posted a 2.61 ERA in the three-game series, allowing 23 hits and six walks, while recording 34 strikeouts. Junior RHP Kendall Graveman had the best outing of the Mississippi State pitchers, going 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits with a walk and four strikeouts, but did not factor into the decision in the finale. MSU relief pitchers Chris Stratton and Taylor Stark earned the team's two victories in the series, while closer Caleb Reed recorded nine strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.

Mississippi State head coach John Cohen is in his fourth year at the school with a record of 88-88 with the Bulldogs and 409-284 overall after spending time at Northwestern State and Kentucky as a head coach. Cohen led the Bulldogs to a 38-25 overall record last season and to an NCAA Super Regional berth.

LAST TIME OUT: Redshirt junior Thomas Taylor pitched 8 1/3 scoreless innings to pick up his first victory of the season, while freshman Justin Protacio drove in both Kansas runs as the Jayhawks shut out Belmont, 2-0, in their second game of the day at E.S. Rose Field Saturday in Nashville, Tenn. The win clinched KU's best start to a season since 2007 when the team opened the year with five-straight victories.

TAYLOR MADE: Redshirt-junior Thomas Taylor earned the year's first Big 12 Pitcher of the Week honor after tossing 8 1/3 scoreless innings against Belmont on Feb. 18. Taylor scattered three hits to go along with two walks and five strikeouts.

However, Taylor's efficiency with his pitch count may have been the most impressive number. The junior righty needed just 89 pitches to get through 8 1/3 innings, tallying four innings where he threw fewer than 10 pitches.

300 GAME: Head coach Ritch Price reached a milestone in the Jayhawks' season-opener. The veteran skipper earned his 300th victory at Kansas, becoming the second KU head coach to reach the 300-win plateau. Former Kansas coach Floyd Temple is the only other head man to reach 300 victories at the school, amassing 438 wins from 1954-81.

Price also became the fourth active head coach to record 300 wins at a Big 12 institution, joining Baylor's Steve Smith (622 in 17 seasons), Missouri's Tim Jamieson (573 in 17 seasons) and Texas' Augie Garrido (668 in 15 seasons).

LOCKDOWN: Kansas picked up three wins at the Music City Classic last week on the strength of its bullpen. Jayhawk senior RHP Jordan Jakubov and junior RHP Tanner Poppe each picked up a save and recorded a pair of scorless appearances. Combined with LHP Jordan Luvisi and RHP Robert Kahana, the KU bullpen allowed no runs on three hits over six innings with two walks and five strikeouts.

The relief pitchers' dominance is in stark contrast to the end of the 2011 season. Last year, KU's bullpen struggled down the stretch, posting a 6.14 ERA and an 0-4 record in the team's final 15 games. The Jayhawks also had four blown saves in the final four weeks of the year.

QUICK HITTERS:• Kansas returns to Starkville, Miss. for the first time since 2005, when the Jayhawks also played in a split four-game series with Mississippi State. KU's other meeting with MSU came in 1968.
• KU is 35-53 all-time against current members of the SEC, including 9-12 under head coach Ritch Price.
• The Jayhawks are 6-0 all-time against current members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
• KU is 3-0 for the fourth time under head coach Ritch Price and 30th time in the 109-year history of the program. The Jayhawks' best start came in 2002, when KU won its first 10 games of the season.
• KU erased deficits in two of its three wins, trailing 3-1 after two innings against Middle Tennessee and 1-0 after four innings against Bowling Green.
• Kansas outhit all three of its opponents at the Music City Classic. Last season, KU was 18-7 when it outhit its opposition.
• While still early, KU's fielding has been nearly flawless. The Jayhawks rank first in the Big 12 with a .992 fielding percentage, committing just one error in three games.
• Junior C Alex DeLeon drove in four runs in KU's season-opening win over Middle Tennessee. It was the most RBIs by a Jayhawk in the season-opener since Ryan Baty collected four RBIs against Ottawa in the first game of the 2002 season.
• Senior C James Stanfield threw out a pair of would-be base stealers in the win over Belmont. It marked the fourth time in his career that Stanfield has thrown out multiple runners in the same game.
• Junior IF Kevin Kuntz collected three hits at the Music City Classic with two strikes in the count. Last season, Kuntz had seven two-strike hits all season.
• Senior DH Chris Manship recorded his first career triple against Belmont. Manship had 242 collegiate at bats before his first three-base hit.
• Junior IF Jordan Dreiling doubled and tripled in his first two at-bats of the season to collect a career-best five total bases against Middle Tennessee.
• Freshman OF Michael Suiter went 3-for-3 and was hit by a pitch against Belmont. Suiter became just the fourth true freshman in the last five years to record a three-hit game, joining former Jayhawks Robby Price (2007) and Tony Thompson (2008) as well as current teammates Zac Elgie (2009) and Ka'iana Eldredge (2011).
• Freshman LHP Wes Benjamin earned a victory in his collegiate debut against Bowling Green on Feb. 18. Benjamin became the first Jayhawk pitcher to win in his first start as a freshman since Lee Ridenhour defeated Arkansas on Feb. 24, 2009.
• Several Jayhawk pitchers picked up firsts over the weekend: sophomore RHP Frank Duncan and freshman Wes Benjamin each earned their first victories, while senior RHP Jordan Jakubov picked up his first career save.

MAKING CONNECTIONS:
• Kansas does not have any players on its roster from the state of Mississippi.
• Mississippi State junior C Mitch Slauter is a native of Kansas City, Kan., and attended Olathe North High School as well as Barton County Community College.
• KU RHP Frank Duncan and Mississippi Valley State IF/OF Nick Fangonilo are both from San Francisco, Calif., while Delta Devils' OF Billy Linney and RHP Chris Broadway are from nearby Pacifica, Calif.
• Jayhawk LHP Jordan Luvisi, IF Joey Luvisi and OF Brian Poupore are all from Scottsdale, Ariz., which is a suburb of Mississippi Valley State INF Candler Thomas' hometown - Phoenix, Ariz.
• Kansas LHP Wes Benjamin is from Chicago area suburb, St. Charles, Ill., while MVSU freshman IF Daniel Anderson is from the Windy City.

BACKDRAFT: KU's 2012 roster features nine players who were drafted by Major League organzations out of high school, but decided to become Jayhawks. Senior IF Zac Elgie (Oakland) was selected in the 2008 Amateur Draft. Juniors IF Kevin Kuntz (Kansas City), LHP Jordan Luvisi (Arizona), RHP Tanner Poppe (Kansas City) were all selected in the 2009 draft. Sophomore IF Ka'iana Eldredge (Cincinnati) was drafted in 2010, while freshmen LHP Wes Benjamin (New York Yankees), RHP Robert Kahana (Colorado), OF Connor McKay (Colorado) and OF Michael Suiter (Cincinnati) were selected in last year's draft. Poppe was also drafted last season by the Tampa Bay Rays.

UP NEXT: Kansas will make its first of four trips to the state of Texas when it participates in the UTSA Classic at Wolff Stadium in San Antonio. The Jayhawks will take on host UTSA (Friday, 6 p.m.), Louisiana (Saturday, 2 p.m.) and Gonzaga (Sunday, 11 a.m.) in the tournament. Audio from all three games will be available on Jayhawk All-Access.

Mississippi State and Mississippi Valley State Game Coverage

2012-02-24T13:59:00.001-06:00

February 24	vs Mississippi Valley State	2:30 PM	Gametracker	Free Streaming Audio
February 24	@ Mississippi State	6:30 PM	Gametracker	Free Streaming Audio
February 25	@ Mississippi State	4:00 PM	Gametracker	Free Streaming Audio
February 26	vs Mississippi Valley State	11:00 AM	Gametracker	Free Streaming Audio

Game Notes: Mississippi State and Mississippi Valley State

2012-02-23T10:25:00.000-06:00

vs. Miss. Valley St.; at Miss. State (Feb. 24-26)
Location	Starkville, Miss.
Friday (1)	vs. Miss. Valley State, 2:30 p.m.
Friday (2)	at Mississippi State, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday	at Mississippi State, 4 p.m.
Sunday	vs. Miss. Valley State, 11 a.m.
Radio	Jayhawk All-Access
Video	HailState TV vs. MSU ($)
Live Stats	Kansas GameTracker
Game Notes	Kansas
	Mississippi Valley State
	Mississippi State
2012 Media Guide	Kansas

MVSU head coach Doug Shanks is in his 13th season with the Delta Devils and has a record of 257-368 at the school.

Throwback Thursday: Darryl Monroe

2012-02-23T10:19:00.000-06:00

Kansas media relations student assistant Zach Welch caught up with former Jayhawk Darryl Monroe for this week's Throwback Thursday feature. Throwback Thursday is a regular feature on kuathletics.com featuring former athletes from all KU sports.

Throwback Thursday: Darryl Monroe

Thomas Taylor: Big 12 Pitcher of the Week

2012-02-20T17:10:00.000-06:00

Thomas Taylor was named the Big 12 Pitcher of the Week

Click here for story

KU vs. Middle Tennessee State Post-game Videos

2012-02-18T10:43:00.000-06:00

Be sure to check kuathletics.com for post-game videos this season. Below are yesterday's videos with Coach Price after winning is 300th game at KU and starting pitcher Frank Duncan.

Coach Price

Frank Duncan

Congratulations Coach Price!

2012-02-17T18:16:00.002-06:00

Opening Day!

2012-02-17T11:07:00.000-06:00

Opening day has finally arrived. The Jayhawks open the season at Middle Tennessee State at 3:00 PM today.

Kansas head coach Ritch Price enters the 2012 season needing just one victory for his 300th with the Jayhawks. He would become just the second KU head coach to record 300 wins with the Crimson and Blue, joining Floyd Temple, who guided the program to 438 wins from 1954-81. Price would also become the fourth active head coach to amass 300 wins at a Big 12 institution, joining Baylor's Steve Smith (619 in 17 seasons), Missouri's Tim Jamieson (571 in 17 seasons) and Texas' Augie Garrido (666 in 15 seasons).

Music City Classic Schedule

February 17	@ Middle Tennesse State	3:00 PM	Gametracker	Free Streaming Audio
February 18	vs Bowling Green	10:30 AM	Gametracker	Free Streaming Audio
February 18	@ Belmont	2:00 PM	Gametracker	Free Streaming Audio
February 19	@ Lipscomb	1:00 PM	Gametracker	Free Streaming Audio

A Look Ahead to 2013

2012-02-16T13:15:00.000-06:00

The Big 12 Conference has released its 2013 baseball schedule including newcomers TCU and West Viriginia.

Click here for 2013 Big 12 Baseball Composite Schedule

Game Notes: Music City Classic

2012-02-15T15:30:00.002-06:00

Music City Classic (Feb. 17-19)
Location	Murfreesboro, Tenn. / Nashville, Tenn.
Friday	at Middle Tenn. St., 3 p.m.
Saturday (1)	vs. Bowling Green, 10:30 a.m.
Saturday (2)	at Belmont, 2 p.m.
Sunday	at Lipscomb, 1 p.m.
Radio	Jayhawk All-Access
Video	None
Live Stats	Kansas GameTracker
Game Notes	Kansas
	Middle Tennessee State
	Bowling Green
	Belmont
	Lipscomb
2012 Media Guide	Kansas

The University of Kansas begins its 109th season of baseball by participating in the Music City Classic. The Jayhawks open the season by facing Middle Tennessee in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Friday, 3 p.m.) and will take on Bowling Green (Saturday, 10:30 a.m.), Belmont (Saturday, 2 p.m.) and Lipscomb (Sunday, 1 p.m.) in Nashville. The Jayhawks are 70-48-3 in season-openers, including 5-4 under head coach Ritch Price.

LEADING OFF:

SERIES HISTORIES: Kansas lost its only meeting with Middle Tennessee, 6-5, in 2003 in a similar tournament. The Jayhawks defeated Lipscomb, 10-4, in that tourney and 15-10 in a 2006 meeting in Nashville. KU also won its only previous meeting with Belmont, 4-2, in 2006. The Jayhawks and Bowling Green will be facing off for the first time on the baseball field.

ABOUT KANSAS: Kansas enters the 2012 season looking to get back to the postseason. The Jayhawks return 17 letterwinners, including six position starters, from last year’s team which finished 26-30 overall and 9-18 in the Big 12 Conference.

KU’s top returning hitter is 3B Zac Elgie, who batted .297 with a team-best 22 doubles, seven homers and 37 RBIs. Elgie’s 22 doubles were the fifth-most in a season by a Jayhawk and ranked fourth in the Big 12 in 2011. The Jayhawks’ opening day starting pitcher is sophomore RHP Frank Duncan, who went 0-3 with a 3.09 ERA in 24 relief appearances last season. Duncan posted a 2.63 ERA and allowed a .170 batting avarage against non-conference foes last year.

SCOUTING THE BLUE RAIDERS: Middle Tennessee enters the 2012 season picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt Conference by Baseball America. The Blue Raiders return 20 letterwinners from a year ago, including six position starters and two starting pitchers. MTSU finished 10th in the Sun Belt last season with an 18-37 overall record and a 9-21 mark in conference play.

Middle Tennessee State’s offense ranked seventh in the Sun Belt Conference last season with a .277 team batting average with 99 doubles and 37 homers. The Blue Raiders averaged 4.8 runs per game last season. MTSU’s top returning position player is preseason All-Sun Belt 1B/OF Justin Guidry. Guidry batted a team-best .349 last year with 39 runs scored, 13 doubles and four homers. Sophomore 3B Hank LaRue also earned preseason all-conference honors after batting .306 with 33 runs scored, 11 doubles and a team-best 37 walks.

On the mound, MTSU ranked ninth in the league with a 5.85 team ERA in 2011, allowing 342 runs overall. KU will face RHP Hunter Adkins. Adkins went 2-9 in 14 starts in 2011 with a 5.44 ERA in 86 innings last year. Sophomore RHP Paul Mittura handled closing duties for MTSU a year ago, posting a 2-5 record with six saves, holding opposing hitters to a .251 batting average.

Head coach Steve Peterson is in his 25th season at MTSU and has an overall record of 760-609-3 at the school. Peterson has led the Blue Raiders to 11 Sun Belt titles and nine appearances in the NCAA Tournament in his tenure. The Jayhawks are 0-1 against the Blue Raiders all-time, falling 6-5 in a game on Feb. 28, 2003 in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

SCOUTING THE FALCONS: Bowling Green enters the season picked to finish third in the Mid-America Conference’s Eastern Division by Baseball America. The Falcons return 21 letterwinners, including nine starting players (pitchers and hitters), from last year’s squad which finished 20-31 overall and 11-14 in the MAC.

BGSU finished sixth in the conference with a .275 team batting average with 72 doubles and 20 homers in 2011. The Falcons averaged 5.2 runs per game last season. Sophomore OF Andrew Kubuski is BGSU’s top returning hitter, batting .267 with nine doubles, two homers and 23 RBIs last season, while junior IF Matt Pitzulo batted .290 with 25 RBIs and a .377 on-base percentage in 2011.

Bowling Green’s pitching staff ranked ninth in the MAC last season with a 5.17 ERA, allowing 306 runs in 449 innings. Junior RHP Cody Apthorpe will get the start against KU on Saturday. Apthorpe went 5-6 last year with a 4.42 ERA in 13 starts. He recorded 50 strikeouts in 73 1/3 innings on the mound. Junior RHP Michael Frank led the team with five saves last season, going 1-1 with a 5.05 ERA in 22 appearances.

Head coach Danny Schmitz is in his 22nd season at Bowling Green and owns a record of 568-517-5 at the school. Schmitz helped the Falcons receive back-to-back NCAA Tournament bids in the late 1990’s. This will be the first meeting between KU and BGSU in baseball.

SCOUTING THE BRUINS: Belmont is coming off one of its most impressive seasons in school history, winning the Atlantic Sun tournament title and eliminated Oklahoma State and Troy before falling to Vanderbilt in the NCAA Regionals. The Bruins are picked to finish third in the A-Sun by Baseball America. BU returns 19 letterwinners, five position starters and three starting pitchers from last year’s team that finished 38-26 overall.

Belmont finished eighth in the Atlantic Sun in batting average last year, hitting .291 as a team with 131 doubles and 64 homers. The Bruins averaged 6.7 runs per game a year ago. Sophomore 3B Greg Brody is BU’s top returning hitter. Brody was named to the A-Sun All-Freshman Team a year ago after batting .315 with 20 doubles, seven homers and 42 runs scored.

Belmont finished fourth in the league with a 4.63 ERA and allowed 370 runs in 64 games. The Bruins’ top two pitchers from last season – RHP Matt Hamann and LHP Chase Brookshire – are both back this year. Hamann was a first team all-conference selection, going 9-2 with a 2.81 ERA in 86 1/3 innings. He will get the nod against Kansas on Saturday afternoon.

Head coach David Jarvis is in his 15th season at Belmont with a 395-367-1 record at the school and a 719-519-1 mark in 23 seasons as a college head coach. KU won the only previous meeting between the schools, 4-2, on Feb. 24, 2006 in Nashville.

SCOUTING THE BISONS: Lipscomb enters the 2012 season picked to finish ninth in the Atlantic Sun Conference by Baseball America after going 19-36 last season. The Bisons return 21 letterwinners from a year ago, including four position starters.

Lipscomb was 10th in the Atlantic Sun last year, batting .287 as a team with 95 doubles, 24 homers and averaging 5.1 runs per game. Senior OF M.L. Williams is the Bisons’ top returning hitter after batting .354 with 17 doubles, three homers and stealing 24 bases as a junior.

The Bisons’ pitching staff posted a 4.90 team ERA last year, which ranked fifth in the conference. Redshirt junior Josh Fonfara will get the start Sunday against the Jayhawks. Fonfara went 2-3 last season with a 5.09 ERA in eight starts. He held opponents to a .265 batting average in 58 1/3 innings. Lipscomb used a closer-by-committee approach last season with eight different pitchers recording saves. Senior LHP Gil Rhwinkel led the group with three and a 4.71 ERA in 21 relief appearances.

Head coach Jeff Forehand is in his sixth season at Lipscomb and holds a 123-164 mark in his first five seasons. Forehand led the Bisons to the NCAA Tournament in 2008 and an opening-round upset of host Georgia. KU is 2-0 all-time against Lipscomb, claiming wins over the Bisons in 2003 and 2006.

300 GAME: Kansas head coach Ritch Price enters the 2012 season needing just one victory for his 300th with the Jayhawks. He would become just the second KU head coach to record 300 wins with the Crimson and Blue, joining Floyd Temple, who guided the program to 438 wins from 1954-81.

Price would also become the fourth active head coach to amass 300 wins at a Big 12 institution, joining Baylor’s Steve Smith (619 in 17 seasons), Missouri’s Tim Jamieson (571 in 17 seasons) and Texas’ Augie Garrido (666 in 15 seasons).

CHANGING PLACES: Four key members of the Kansas baseball team will be changing positions to start the 2012 season. Senior IF Zac Elgie has started 83 games at first base over the last three seasons, but is slated to be the team’s starting third baseman to open the year. Junior IF Jake Marasco, who has started games at third base (45), designated hitter (36) and left field (10) in his career, will be making the transition to first base this year. Marasco played first base during his time at Maize High School.

The Jayhawk pitching staff will also have a different look in 2012. Junior RHP Tanner Poppe started 13 games a year ago, but will open the year as the team’s closer. Pitching in relief is not new to the KU righty. He has made 12 career appearances out of the bullpen and recorded two saves in his career. Sophomore RHP Frank Duncan made a team-best 24 relief appearances last season, but will pitch in the starting rotation to open the season. Duncan was also a starting pitcher in high school.

QUICK HITTERS:
• Kansas opens the season in Nashville, Tenn., marking the second time in the last four seasons that KU has played its first game in the Volunteer State.
• KU is 18-9 all-time against current members of the Sun Belt, 19-13 against current Mid-American Conference members and 4-3 against Atlantic Sun members.
• KU is opening on the road for the 10th-straight season (the 2010 season opener was played at a neutral site). The Jayhawks are 70-48-3 in season-openers, including 5-4 under head coach Ritch Price.
• The Jayhawks were 17-13 against non-conference foes last season and are 61-37 against non-Big 12 opponents over the last three years.
• Kansas is 113-89-1 (.559) all-time in the month of February, including 54-32-1 (.626) under Price.
• Redshirt junior IF Jake Marasco is likely to start his fourth-straight season-opener at a fourth different position. Marasco started the 2009 opener against Air Force in left field, in 2010 against Eastern Michigan as the designated hitter and the first game of 2011 at third base against TCU.
• Junior C Alex DeLeon and IF Ka’iana Eldredge both enter the season on seven-game hitting streaks.

MAKING CONNECTIONS:
• Kansas does not have any players on its roster from the state of Tennessee.
• Senior RHP Matt Kohorst’s uncle, Garry Kohorst, played baseball at Bowling Green and was named the team’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 1977.
• Freshman LHP Wes Benjamin grew up in St. Charles, Ill., and likely played against Belmont LHP Dan Ludwig, who grew up in nearby Naperville, Ill. Other players in the tournament that grew up in the Chicago area include: Bowling Green’s Taylor Rhoads (Wheaton), Belmont’s Dan Huenecke (Palatine) and Matt Hamann (Northbrook) as well as Lipscomb’s Diego Martinez (Oak Forest).
• Middle Tennessee State OF Trent Miller is from Kansas City, Mo., and graduated from Rockhurst High School.
• Lipscomb LHP Gil Rehwinkel and RHP Connor Sinclair are both from Wichita, Kan. Rehwinkel graduated from Maize High School and was teammates with current Jayhawks Jake Marasco and Jordan Jakubov. Sinclair graduated from Goodard High School and attended Butler Community College before transferring to Lipscomb.

BACKDRAFT: KU’s 2012 roster features nine players who were drafted by Major League organzations out of high school, but decided to become Jayhawks. Senior IF Zac Elgie (Oakland) was selected in the 2008 Amateur Draft. Juniors IF Kevin Kuntz (Kansas City), LHP Jordan Luvisi (Arizona), RHP Tanner Poppe (Kansas City) were all selected in the 2009 draft. Sophomore IF Ka’iana Eldredge (Cincinnati) was drafted in 2010, while freshmen LHP Wes Benjamin (New York Yankees), RHP Robert Kahana (Colorado), OF Conner McKay (Colorado) and OF Michael Suiter (Cincinnati) were selected in last year’s draft. Poppe was also drafted last season by the Tampa Bay Rays.

STANFIELD NAMED PRESEASON ALL-BIG 12: Kansas senior C/DH James Stanfield was named a Preseason All-Big 12 First Team selection by College Baseball Daily on Feb. 3. Stanfield became the first KU player to earn preseason all-conference honors since Tony Thompson and Brian Heere garnered the same distinction prior to the 2010 season.

Stanfield, a 5-foot-9 senior from Owasso, Okla., hit .327 last year with five doubles, two triples and two home runs. Compared to his 2010 campaign, Stanfield raised his batting average by 89 points and his slugging percentage by 198 points (from .262 to .460). He also proved difficult to strike out, fanning just 13 times in 129 plate appearances.

JAYHAWKS' 2012 SIGNING CLASS EARNS TOP 40 RANKING: Kansas baseball has pulled in the 40th-ranked recruiting class according to Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s annual rankings, which were released in September. The Jayhawks added 12 freshmen and one transfer – LHP Jordan Luvisi from Pepperdine – to their roster for their 2012 signing class.

KU’s recruiting class ranked fifth among Big 12 teams, ahead of Missouri (49th overall), Baylor (66th), Texas Tech (77th) and Kansas State (NR).

KU-OSU GAME ON FSN: Five games will be featured on the Big 12’s Fox Sports Net Game of the Week schedule, including the Kansas-Oklahoma State game to be played at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium on April 7 at 2:30 p.m.

The television appearance marks the sixth-straight season that FSN has chosen the Jayhawks to appear on its national college game of the week. Last season, KU fell to Oklahoma on FSN on May 7 in Norman, Okla.

KANSAS BASEBALL ON THE AIR: For the first time in program history, all 56 Kansas baseball regular-season games during the 2012 season will air on Jayhawk All-Access or KLWN Radio (1320 AM). It marks the first time that the entire baseball schedule has been carried via live broadcast.

Jayhawk All-Access will carry audio for 26 games throughout the season with free video coverage available for a majority of the home contests. KLWN Radio will pick up coverage on Tuesday, March 27 for the game at Missouri State at 6:30 p.m., and continue throughout the regular season. Fans can still tune in to Jayhawk All-Access for video coverage during KU home games.

KU ANNOUNCES 2012 TEAM CAPTAINS: Senior RHP Jordan Jakubov, senior IF Chris Manship and redshirt-junior IF Jake Marasco have been named team captains of the Kansas baseball team for the 2012 season head coach Ritch Price announced Jan. 28. All three players will be captains for the first time in their careers.

FORMER KU COACH INDUCTED INTO KANSAS HALL OF FAME: Former KU baseball head coach Dave Bingham was elected to the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame in Wichita. Bingham, along with former Wichita State pitcher Darren Dreifort, former college umpire Bob Homolka, former major leaguers Lee Stevens and the late Joseph Vaughan and 14 Negro League players, were enshrined in the Hall of Fame on Feb. 4.

Bingham coached at KU from 1988 to 1995 and led the Jayhawks to the first NCAA Tournament and College World Series appearances in school history in 1993. His 1993 team shattered a host of program records, including the school record for wins in a season with 45.

JAYHAWKS INK SEVEN IN EARLY SIGNING PERIOD: The top high school baseball prospects in the state of Kansas and Arizona, and two other players with ties to the Major Leagues, are among seven players who signed with Kansas during the fall 2011 signing period.

KU’s signing class includes: 1B Jacob Boylan (Lee’s Summit, Mo.), RHP Hayden Edwards (Shawnee Mission, Kan.), IF Tommy Mirabelli (Rocky River, Ohio), C/1B Nick Sweatt (Mission Hills, Kan.), LHP Tyler Watson (Georgetown, Texas), IF Marcus Wheeler (Phoenix, Ariz.) and IF Colby Wright (Castro Valley, Calif.).

FORMER JAYHAWK COMMISSIONED INTO MARINE CORPS: Former Kansas pitcher Thomas Marcin held a ceremony for commission into the United States Marines Corps on Friday, Sept. 16 with several of his former Jayhawk teammates and coaches in attendance at Hoglund Ballpark.

Marcin, who played at KU from 2007-10, graduated from KU in May, 2011 and attended Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Quantico, Va. He completed his flight school and passed his physical prior the ceremony.

SMITH NAMED MVP OF WORLD SERIES: Kansas freshman outfielder Dakota Smith was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2011 Connie Mack World Series on Aug. 16 as his Midland Redskins won their third title at Rickets Field in Farmington, N.M.

Smith, a 5-foot-11 freshman from Leavenworth, Kan., collected a tournament-high 15 total bases, which included a pair of homers and eight RBIs. He also received the tournament’s Comcast "Big Stick" Award.

MANSHIP NAMED POSTSEASON ALL-STAR: Kansas senior 1B Chris Manship was named to the Northwoods League’s Postseason All-Star team, which was announced by the league office on Aug. 9.

Manship, a 6-foot-2 senior from Cave Creek, Ariz., batted .291 in the wood bat league in 65 games during the summer. His summer numbers included 23 doubles, four homers, 35 RBIs and 30 runs scored. Manship, who played the year with the Duluth Huskies, was selected to the league’s midseason all-star team.

HOMECOMING FOR PRICE: Former South Dakota State head coach – and Jayhawk standout – Ritchie Price was named an assistant coach for the Jayhawk baseball program on June 30. Price will work with the team’s offense, infielders, handle recruiting duties and also be the team’s third base coach.

Price, who played for his father Ritch Price at KU from 2003-06, spent the last three seasons as the head coach at South Dakota State University. In his time at SDSU, Price has led the Jackrabbits to a 102-71 career record, with signature wins over Arkansas, Minnesota, Iowa and Creighton. He helped SDSU appear in the Summit League Championship game for a third consecutive year in 2011, falling to eventual NCAA Tournament participant Oral Roberts.

CAUGHT IN THE DRAFT: Three Kansas pitchers, Colton Murray (Philadelphia, 13th round), T.J. Walz (Oakland, 15th round) and Tanner Poppe (Tampa Bay, 37th round), were taken during the three-day Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, which concluded on June 8.

BROTHERLY LOVE: Junior LHP Jordan Luvisi and freshman IF Joey Luvisi are the sixth set of brothers to play at KU under head coach Ritch Price. The pair from Scottsdale, Ariz., join Ryan and Matt Baty, Don and Nick Czyz, Sean and Preston Land, Colton and Conner Murray as well as Ritchie, Ryne and Robby Price as the sets of brothers to be teammates at KU since 2003.

MAJOR LEAGUE CONNECTIONS: Several Kansas baseball players have connections to the Major Leagues:
• Senior OF Jason Brunansky is the son of former major league outfielder Tom Brunansky.
• Junior IF Kevin Kuntz is the son of former major league infielder Rusty Kuntz, who currently works in the front office for the Kansas City Royals.
• Senior 1B Chris Manship’s cousin, Jeff Manship, has pitched for the Minnesota Twins each of the last two seasons.
• Freshman OF Brian Poupore is the great-grandson of former Philadelphia Athletics’ manager/owner Connie Mack.

UP NEXT: Kansas will hit the road for the second-consective weekend on Feb. 24 when the Jayhawks travel to Starkville, Miss., to battle host Mississippi State and Mississippi Valley State at Polk-DeMent Stadium. KU will play the Bulldogs on Friday, Feb. 24 (6:30 p.m.) and Saturday, Feb. 25 (4 p.m.) and the Delta Devils on Friday (2:30 p.m.) and Sunday, Feb. 26 (11 a.m.). All four games will be carried on Jayhawk All-Access at kuathletics.com.

Kansas Baseball Holds Media Day

2012-02-14T15:17:00.000-06:00

Kansas head coach Ritch Price and the Jayhawk baseball team held its annual media day on Tuesday in preparation for the upcoming season. Coach Price addressed a full media room in Allen Fieldhouse and spoke about the challenges of facing five-straight weekends away from home to open the season and his excitement for the upcoming year.

Read the transcript of Coach Price's press conference and interviews with select student-athletes at kuathletics.com.

Kansas.com profile: Jake Marasco

2012-02-09T14:01:00.000-06:00

Check out this profile of senior Jake Marasco from the University Daily Kansan.

Kansas.com profile: Chris Manship

2012-02-08T12:31:00.000-06:00

Check out this profile of senior Chris Manship from the University Daily Kansan.

Kansas Senior Stanfield Named Preseason All-Big 12

2012-02-08T10:02:00.000-06:00

Kansas senior catcher/designated hitter James Stanfield has been named a Preseason All-Big 12 First Team selection by College Baseball Daily. Stanfield becomes the first KU player to earn preseason all-conference honors since Tony Thompson and Brian Heere garnered the same distinction prior to the 2010 season.

Continue reading on kuathletics.com

Kansan.com profile: Jordan Jakubov

2012-02-07T12:01:00.000-06:00

Check out this profile of senior Jordan Jakubov from the University Daily Kansan.

Kansas Baseball Accepting Applications for Public Address Announcer

2012-02-03T15:27:00.000-06:00

Kansas Baseball is seeking an experienced and knowledgeable public address announcer for Hoglund Ballpark. The public address announcer is an integral part of the game-day atmosphere at Hoglund Ballpark. For more information please contact Jeda Hays at 785-864-7953 or jhays1@ku.edu.

The Jayhawks’ first home game is scheduled for March 6 against North Dakota at 3:00 PM. For a complete schedule visit kuathletics.com.

Kansas-Oklahoma State Game To Be Featured on Fox Sports Net

2012-01-30T14:44:00.000-06:00

The Big 12 Conference announced its 2012 college baseball television schedule on cable station Fox Sports Net Monday. Six games will be featured in this package, including the Kansas-Oklahoma State game to be played at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium on Saturday, April 7 at 2:30 p.m.

The television appearance marks the sixth-straight season that FSN has chosen the Jayhawks to appear on its national college game of the week.

Continue reading on kuathletics.com

All 56 Kansas Baseball Games to Air on Jayhawk All-Access/KLWN Radio

2012-01-26T16:10:00.000-06:00

For the first time in program history, all 56 Kansas baseball regular season games during the 2012 season will air on Jayhawk All-Access or KLWN Radio (1320 AM). The addition makes more than 225 events Jayhawk All-Access will produce during the 2011-12 academic year.

It also marks the first time that the entire baseball schedule has been carried via live broadcast.

Jayhawk All-Access will carry audio for 26 games throughout the season with free video coverage available for a majority of the home contests. KLWN Radio will pick up coverage on Tuesday, March 27 for the game at Missouri State at 6:30 p.m., and continue throughout the regular season. Fans can still tune in to Jayhawk All-Access for video coverage during KU home games.

“I'm really excited that our kids’ parents, alums, and fans will all be able to follow our team throughout the entire 2012 baseball season,” Kansas Head Coach Ritch Price said.

Veteran play-by-play man Tom Hedrick as well as Jayhawk All-Access broadcaster Kyle West will provide a majority of the coverage throughout the year with KLWN Sports Director Brian Hanni also joining the broadcasts.

Continue reading on kuathletics.com

Jayhawk All-Access

Kansas Baseball Announces Captains for 2012

2012-01-18T16:19:00.000-06:00

Senior pitcher Jordan Jakubov and infielders Chris Manship and Jake Marasco have been named team captains of the Kansas baseball team for the 2012 season head coach Ritch Price announced Wednesday. All three players will be captains for the first time this season.

“In 2012, we will field one of the youngest teams in the country with 17 freshmen and sophomores. The leadership of our team captains will be crucial to the success of our team,” Price said. “Each of these young men will need to lead by example and help our young guys play through the adversity that comes with competing in one of the best conferences in the country.”

Continue reading on kuathletics.com

Former Jayhawk Coach Bingham Elected to State Baseball Hall of Fame

2012-01-03T09:06:00.000-06:00

Former KU baseball head coach Dave Bingham has been elected to the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame in Wichita. Bingham along with former Wichita State pitcher Darren Dreifort, former college umpire Bob Homolka, former major leaguers Lee Stevens and the late Joseph Vaughan and 14 Negro League players will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame on Feb. 4.

Continue reading at kuathletics.com

Kansas Baseball Inks Seven in Early Signing Period

2011-12-31T12:04:00.000-06:00

The top high school baseball prospects in the state of Kansas and Arizona, and two other players with ties to the Major Leagues are among seven players who signed with Kansas during the fall signing period, the Jayhawks announced Thursday.

KU's signing class includes: first baseman Jacob Boylan (Lee's Summit, Mo.), right-handed pitcher Hayden Edwards (Shawnee Mission, Kan.), infielder Tommy Mirabelli (Rocky River, Ohio), catcher/first baseman Nick Sweatt (Mission Hills, Kan.), left-handed pitcher Tyler Watson (Georgetown, Texas), infielder Marcus Wheeler (Phoenix, Ariz.) and infielder Colby Wright (Castro Valley, Calif.).
"We were looking to build off last year's nationally-ranked recruiting class which had five players drafted that showed up to school," Kansas Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Ritchie Price said. "These seven players address specific needs with the departure of our eight seniors and should come in and make an immediate impact on our program."

Visit kuathletics.com for bios of all seven signees and video from Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Ritchie Price.

Throwback Thursday: Casey Lytle

2011-11-17T16:42:00.000-06:00

Every Thursday kuathletics.com features a former Kansas student-athlete in the Throwback Thursday profile. This weeks subject is former Kansas outfielder Casey Lytle.

Read the Casy Lytle Throwback Thursday Profile here.

Team Blue Uses Late Rally To Win Crimson & Blue World Series

2011-11-16T10:23:00.001-06:00

Team Blue used four unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth and an epic three-run homer by senior Jake Marasco in the seventh to topple Team Crimson, 7-1, in the seventh and deciding game of the Crimson & Blue World Series last week at Hoglund Ballpark. The seven-game series wrapped up KU’s fall season, which began on Sept. 27.

Continue Reading on kuathletics.com

2012 Kansas Baseball Schedule

Kansas Baseball Tickets

Kansas Baseball Unveils 2012 Schedule

2011-10-05T13:11:00.000-05:00

Kansas baseball, with 10^th-year head coach Ritch Price, announced its 2012 schedule on Wednesday. The Jayhawks’ 56-game schedule includes 21 games at Hoglund Ballpark, including home contests with traditional rivals Wichita State (April 10), Kansas State (April 25) and Missouri (May 17-19).

The Jayhawks will play 25 contests against schools which advanced to the NCAA Tournament a season ago, including conference series with College World Series participants Texas and Texas A&M.

Continue reading on kuathletics.com

Download 2012 Kansas Baseball Schedule

Former Kansas Pitcher Commissioned into Marine Corps

2011-09-20T09:30:00.000-05:00

Former Kansas pitcher Thomas Marcin held a ceremony for commission into the United States Marines Corps on Friday, Sept. 16 with several of his Jayhawk teammates and coaches in attendance at Hoglund Ballpark.
Marcin, who played at KU from 2007-10, graduated from KU last school year and attended Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Quantico, Va. He also completed his flight school and passed his physical prior the ceremony.

Continue reading on kuathletics.com

Kansas Freshman Smith Named MVP of Tournament

2011-08-17T09:15:00.000-05:00

Kansas freshman outfielder Dakota Smith was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2011 Connie Mack World Series this past weekend as his Midland Redskins won their third title at Rickets Field in Farmington, N.M.

Smith, a 5-foot-11 freshman from Leavenworth, Kan., collected a tournament-high 15 total bases, which included a pair of homers and eight RBIs. He also received the tournament’s Comcast “Big Stick” Award.

Continue reading on kuathletics.com

Kansas Senior Manship Named Northwoods League Postseason All-Star

2011-08-16T09:32:00.000-05:00

Kansas senior catcher/first baseman Chris Manship has been named to the Northwoods League’s Postseason All-Star team, which was announced by the league office Monday.
Manship, a 6-foot-2 senior from Cave Creek, Ariz., batted .291 in the wood bat league in 65 games during the summer. His summer numbers included 23 doubles, four homers, 35 RBIs and 30 runs scored. Manship, who played the year with the Duluth Huskies, was selected to the league’s midseason all-star team.

He played in 37 games with the Jayhawks in 2011, batting .250 with five doubles, two homers and 13 RBIs. He saw most of his action as the team’s designated hitter and also made two starts at first base.

Manship was one of 32 players named to the Northwoods League’s Postseason All-Star team. The league is one of the biggest collegiate summer leagues in the country, with 16 squads in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Manship and Duluth completed their summer season with a record of 30-37.

Jayhawks in the Pros

2011-08-02T17:41:00.000-05:00

Former Kansas outfielder Brian Heere
batted .347 during the month of July
with the Lake County Captains.

Throughout the course of the 2011 season, kuathletics.com will update the progress of the 15 former Jayhawks who are currently playing within the ranks of professional baseball.

"I'm really proud of the success our players are having in professional baseball," Kansas Head Coach Ritch Price said. "I think it's a testament to my assistant coaches for preparing guys to play at the next level and also to the Big 12 Conference. Our great league gives players a taste of what they'll see every day in the minor leagues."

Major Leagues

Tom GorzelannyFormer Kansas pitcher Tom Gorzelanny is in his seventh major league season and his first with the Washington Nationals. The 6-foot-2 lefty, who played at KU in 2002, is 2-6 this year with a 4.57 ERA in 15 starts. In his seven big league seasons, Gorzelanny has posted a 38-43 record and made 110 starts. He was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second round of the 2003 MLB Amateur Draft.

Continue reading on kuathletics.com

Jayhawks in the Pros

2011-07-28T09:39:00.000-05:00

Former Kansas pitcher Shaeffer Hall
has won his last three starts
for the Trenton Thunder,
a Double-A affiliate
of the New York Yankees

Major Leagues

Tom GorzelannyFormer Kansas pitcher Tom Gorzelanny is in his seventh major league season and his first with the Washington Nationals. The 6-foot-2 lefty, who played at KU in 2002, is 2-6 with a 4.46 ERA in 15 starts this season. He has tallied 75 strikeouts in 82 2/3 innings. In his seven-plus big league seasons, Gorzelanny has posted a 38-43 record and made 110 starts. He was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second round of the 2003 MLB Amateur Draft.

Class AAA

Mike ZagurskiLeft-handed pitcher Mike Zagurski, who pitched at KU from 2004-05, has had two stints this year with the Philadelphia Phillies, but has spent a majority of the season with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. This year in the minors, Zagurski has a 2-0 record with a 2.45 ERA and 10 saves in 36 2/3 innings. He has tallied 49 strikeouts in 33 relief appearances and has held opponents to a .240 batting average. He was originally selected by the Phillies in the 12th round of the 2005 MLB Amateur Draft.

Continue reading on kuathletics.com

Jayhawks Add Top Hawaiian Prospect to 2012 Signing Class

2011-07-20T13:22:00.000-05:00

University of Kansas head coach Ritch Price announced Wednesday that Punahou High School outfielder Michael Suiter has accepted a scholarship offer and will play for the Jayhawks starting in the 2011-12 season. Suiter had originally committed to Santa Clara, but was let out of his scholarship offer when Broncos’ head coach Mark O’Brien resigned at the end of the 2011 season.

“We are thrilled that Michael Suiter is joining our baseball program,” Price said. “He is a talented player who will make an immediate impact on our club.”

Continue reading on kuathletics.com

Chris Manship Having a Stand-out Summer

2011-07-14T10:11:00.000-05:00

Duluth, MN (Northland's NewsCenter) --- Chris Manship came to the Duluth Huskies from the University of Kansas, but said it didn't take long to get comfortable in the Northland.

"I'm having a great time, loving it, loving the city, and loving the people," Manship said. "It's just been a great experience overall."

Read the rest of this article and view a video interview with Chris Manship at northlandsnewscenter.com.

Jayhawks in Summer Leagues Update #2

2011-07-11T18:30:00.000-05:00

Throughout the summer, kuathletics.com will check in with the current Jayhawks, who are participating in summer baseball leagues throughout the country. Many of these leagues began in June and will play through the middle of August.

Jason BrunanskyJunior outfielder Jason Brunansky is playing with the San Diego Waves of the Southern California Collegiate Baseball Association. Brunansky has played in 15 games for the Waves this summer and is batting .289 with five doubles and five stolen bases. The Kansas junior also has a .385 on-base percentage and has just two strikeouts in 45 at bats.

Alex DeLeon

Sophomore catcher Alex DeLeon is playing with the Palm Springs Power baseball team this summer. DeLeon has played in 22 games, making 16 starts behind the plate and batting .294 with nine doubles and 11 RBIs. The Kansas catcher has scored 13 runs and has reached base at a .395 clip.

Continue reading on kuathletics.com

Former Jayhawk Pitcher Hall Makes Triple-A Debut

2011-07-06T14:15:00.000-05:00

Former Kansas pitcher Shaeffer Hall was promoted to Triple-A in the New York Yankees’ organization and made his first start for the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees Monday night against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs at PNC Field.

Hall, who was drafted in the 25th round by the Yankees in 2009, went 6 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on five hits with no walks and three strikeouts to earn his first win at the Triple-A level. The Yankees defeated the IronPigs, 5-3.

The Lee’s Summit, Mo., native was called up from the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate, Trenton, where he was 6-4 with a 3.97 ERA in 14 starts. Hall had recorded 60 strikeouts in 90 2/3 innings and allowed just 19 walks.

Continue reading on kuathletics.com

Former Kansas Standout Ritchie Price Named Assistant Coach

2011-06-30T16:30:00.000-05:00

Former South Dakota State head coach – and Jayhawk standout – Ritchie Price has been named an assistant coach for the Jayhawk baseball program. Price will work with the team’s offense, infielders, handle recruiting duties and also be the team’s third base coach.

Price has spent the last three seasons as the head coach at South Dakota State University. In his time at SDSU, Price has led the Jackrabbits to a 102-71 career record, with signature wins over Arkansas, Minnesota, Iowa and Creighton. He helped SDSU appear in the Summit League Championship game for a third consecutive year in 2011, falling to eventual NCAA Tournament participant Oral Roberts this season.

Continue reading on kuathletics.com

Jayhawks in Summer Leagues Update #1

2011-06-23T11:24:00.001-05:00

Jason Brunansky
Junior outfielder Jason Brunansky is playing with the San Diego Waves of the Southern California Collegiate Baseball Association this summer. Brunansky has played in nine games thus far and is batting .250 with four doubles and a .357 on-base percentage. He has collected six hits in 24 at bats and has a team-best seven runs scored.

Alex DeLeon

Sophomore catcher Alex DeLeon is playing with the Palm Springs Power Baseball team this summer. DeLeon has played eleven games this summer and is batting .316 with 12 hits, six doubles, and seven runs scored.

Continue reading on kuathletics.com

Former Jayhawk Murray Signs with Philadelphia Phillies' Organization

2011-06-20T13:28:00.000-05:00

The Philadelphia Phillies announced Monday that they have come to terms with former Kansas pitcher Colton Murray on a minor league contract after selecting the junior right-hander in the 13th round of this season’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Murray has been assigned to the Phillies’ Short-Season Class A affiliate – the Williamsport (Pa.) Crosscutters.

Williamsport opened its season in the New York-Penn League this past weekend and will play a three-game series against Jamestown beginning this evening.

“Our entire coaching staff is thrilled that Colton gets the opportunity to chase his dream of playing professional baseball,” Kansas head coach Ritch Price said. “We’ve had success in the past with other former players in the Phillies’ organization. Colton is a young man who has the talent to play this game for a long time.”

Continue reading on kuathletics.com

Jayhawk Scrapbook

2011-06-16T15:04:00.000-05:00

Here are the final three Jayhawk Scrapbook videoboard features that played at Hoglund Ballpark this spring. Enjoy!

Jayhawk Scrapbook from Kansas Jayhawks on Vimeo.

KU Pitcher Walz Inks Contract with Oakland A's Organization

2011-06-15T14:18:00.000-05:00

The Oakland Athletics announced Tuesday that they have signed former Kansas pitcher T.J. Walz to a minor league contract after selecting the Jayhawk right-hander in the 15^th round of last week’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Walz has been assigned to the team’s Class A Short-Season affiliate – the Vermont Lake Monsters.

Vermont Lake opens its New York-Penn League season on Monday, June 20 against the Lowell Spinners – a Boston Red Sox affiliate.

continue Reading on kuathletics.com

Kansas Student Intern to Work in Northwoods League

2011-06-03T10:40:00.001-05:00

KU media relations student intern Kyle West this summer will serve as the play-by-play voice of the Willmar (Minn.) Stingers in the Northwoods League. The games will air on KSCR 93.5 FM in Benson, Minn.

Fans can also see and hear the games on the Stingers website, WillmarStingers.com.

Two Jayhawks will play for the Stingers this summer – sophomore pitcher Thomas Taylor and freshman outfielder Jordan Brown.

The Northwoods League is the largest summer collegiate league in the country. More than 160 players from the Northwoods League were drafted into professional baseball in 2010.

West is a junior from Ellsworth, Kan., majoring in business finance.

Four Jayhawks Earn All-Big 12 Honors

2011-05-26T17:08:00.000-05:00

Four Kansas baseball players earned All-Big 12 Conference honors, the league office announced Tuesday. Senior outfielder Jimmy Waters was named to the second team, while freshman second baseman Ka’iana Eldredge was selected to the freshman all-conference squad. Senior outfielder Casey Lytle and pitcher T.J. Walz garnered honorable mention.

Continued on kuathletics.com

Live Blog: Kansas at Kansas State

2011-05-20T12:52:00.003-05:00

Sunflower Showdown

2011-05-19T10:20:00.000-05:00

Walk-on to Record Books

2011-05-14T11:56:00.003-05:00

In Friday night's 14-4 victory over Alabama A&M senior pitcher T.J. Walz became the first Jayhawk, and only 10th Big 12 pitcher, to record 300 career strikeouts. He also tied former KU great Jim Phillips (1980-83) for first place in total wins with 26.

Consider the fact that Walz entered the KU baseball program as a walk-on, and his coaches give good reason for his feats being so impressive.

"I have been fortunate enough in my career to coach a lot of outstanding pitchers," said KU head coach Ritch Price. "Certainly, since I have been at Kansas, T.J. has been one of the top guys that we have had."

“He has done everything we have asked him to do and he is one of the best workers he have had here," Jayhawk pitching coach Ryan Graves said. “He deserves all the accolades he is going to get."

Read the complete story on kuathletics.com.

Kansas Student-Athlete Spotlight: Jimmy Waters

2011-05-13T14:48:00.000-05:00

Kansas left fielder Jimmy Waters is the subject of today's Student-Athlete Spotlight on Big12Sports.com.

Highs and Lows

2011-05-13T14:43:00.000-05:00

Whenever we play Wichita State, it’s an important game to play well and win. This game means a lot to the players. We have guys on the team like Jordan Jakubov and Jake Marasco, who grew up minutes from the WSU campus, that want nothing less than a win against the Shockers. This game is also big for bragging rights. A lot of us have played summer baseball with the Wichita State players over the years and a lot of talk each year leads up to these games.

So to say the least, last week’s sweep over in-state rival Wichita State was special for us, especially after a very disappointing weekend at Texas Tech. Last season, WSU handed us a beating at their place, and I think it’s safe to say we returned the favor this season.

The two games against the Shockers may have been two of our best overall games all season. Our pitching was great and kept the WSU hitters off-balance in both games. Our defense was terrific, including big-time plays like Casey Lytle’s diving catch to save possibly three runs and Brandon Macias making a Jeter like play on a groundball hit deep in the 6 hole to end the game. The bats were red hot and really worked the WSU pitching staff including a season-high in hits for the team on Wednesday. Everyone on the team contributed in some way in those two wins and it was a very good midweek series for us.

Jimmy Waters at Wichita State.

If you have never heard that baseball is a humbling game… well here is an example. After dismantling WSU, we were confident heading into Oklahoma for a huge Big 12 Conference matchup. Oklahoma had our number last season and this was a chance to return the favor on their home field. We started off the first game by taking a 1-0 lead after I hit a home run in the first inning. Things seemed like we were going to keep rolling like we had done against WSU, but that was not the case.

We played poorly all game and made many mistakes and, to Oklahoma’s credit, they exposed those mistakes and took advantage of them. The second game was very similar to game one which made the finale very important. After battling back-and-forth on Sunday we found ourselves down by 3 runs in the ninth. Chris Manship led off the inning with his first career home run. Two batters later, Macias hit a two-run homer to tie the game. This was very similar to the Sunday game against Texas Tech when freshman Tucker Tharp hit a three-run home run in the ninth to take the lead. We headed into the bottom of the ninth hoping to get to extra innings, but in the end the baseball gods could not reward us for our effort and we lost off a walk-off grand slam.

Baseball is a funny game. Right when you think you have turned the corner and things are going good, you get humbled in heart-breaking fashion. The only thing you can do is let that burn inside and use it has a motivator to keep working hard and getting better.

Jayhawks in the Pros

2011-05-11T10:18:00.000-05:00

Former Jayhawk Shaeffer Hall
is 2-2 with a 2.87 ERA for the
Trenton Thunder this season.
Photo courtesy of the
Trenton Thunder

Major Leagues

Tom Gorzelanny

Former Kansas pitcher Tom Gorzelanny is in his seventh major league season and his first with the Washington Nationals. The 6-foot-2 lefty, who played at KU in 2002, is 2-2 with the Nationals this season after picking up a win on Saturday evening. Gorzelanny has posted a 2.87 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings this season. In his seven big league seasons, Gorzelanny has posted a 38-39 record and made 101 starts. He was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second round of the 2003 MLB Amateur Draft.

Class AAA

Mike Zagurski

Left-handed pitcher Mike Zagurski, who pitched at KU from 2004-05, was called up to the Philadelphia Phillies roster in mid-April and made two appearances with the team. In those two games, Zagurski allowed two hits while striking out two batters in 1 1/3 innings. Zagurski is still on the Phillies 40-man roster but is now pitching for their Triple-A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. This year in the minors, Zagurski has a 1-0 record with a 1.08 ERA and four saves in 8 1/3 innings. He was originally selected by the Phillies in the 12^th round of the 2005 MLB Amateur Draft.

Continue Reading Jayhawks in the Pros

Future Jayhawks Q&A: Nate Arnold

2011-05-10T09:44:00.000-05:00

In November, Kansas head baseball coach Ritch Price announced his 2011-2012 signing class with the Jayhawks.

Throughout the season we will conducts Q&A’s with the future Jayhawks, who have signed the National Letter of Intent with KU during the November signing period.

Our Seventh Q&A is with Nate Arnold from Pittsburg, Kansas.

Arnold, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound catcher/right-handed pitcher from St. Mary's-Colgan High School in Pittsburg, Kan., is the fourth-ranked high school player out of the state of Kansas according to Perfect Game USA. Arnold hit .490 last season with 11 doubles, eight home runs and 47 RBIs. On the mound, he posted a 5-0 record with 34 strikeouts and a 0.97 ERA. He is a two-time all-league and all-state selection and was honorable mention all-state as a freshman.

Following the recruiting process, why did you decide to sign with the Jayhawks?

I really liked the coaches, the atmosphere, and my future teammates. KU has always been the place I’ve wanted to go, ever since hearing about it from my family members who have attended this school.

Did you make a visit to Lawrence, and what was your most memorable moment or place you remember from your trip?

I’ve made many visits to Lawrence, whether to see a sports event or just to be in the environment and I would say spending time off the field with the players was some of the most exciting times of my life.

What would you like to major in at Kansas?

I would like to major in Sports Management.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life?

The greatest influence on my life would obviously be my parents but if I had to choose someone outside of my family it would be Mike Macfarlane who has been my traveling team coach for the past four or five years.

What is one thing Jayhawk fans would be surprised to know about you?

I pitched in the State Championship game when I was only a freshman, and my School has won seven state titles in a row.

What is your most memorable sports moment you have been involved in?

Winning the homerun derby at the World Series, when I was a year younger than all my opponents.

Favorite Major League Baseball team and player?

The Royals.

What do you bring personally to the Jayhawk program?

A past history of success and the determination to carry that on to field next year.

Do you have any superstitions when playing the game?

No, I believe that you can decide your own fate and no belief can make you do something you don’t want to do.

Besides sports what are your hobbies?

I enjoy spending time with my friends, going to sports events, and giving little kids baseball lessons.

What do you look to get out of your Jayhawk experience?

I’m looking for a degree, a Big 12 championship, and a chance to go to the college world series.

What teams are playing for this spring and summer?

I’m playing for St. Mary’s Colgan High School and the Mac-n-Seitz organization during the summer

If you were not playing baseball what would you be doing?

I would be spending time with friends and family, and working out.

If you had to be something other than a baseball player what would it be?

I would want to be a coach.

What is your favorite thing about Kansas Baseball?

My favorite things about Kansas baseball are: The players, the coaching staff, and the atmosphere in general.

Don Czyz to be inducted into Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame

2011-05-07T18:09:00.000-05:00

All-American Don Czyz will be inducted into the Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame during K Club and Homecoming Weekend, Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 2011.

Full Article on kuathletics.com

"Vicious" Victor Ortiz at Hoglund Ballpark

2011-05-04T15:00:00.001-05:00

Garden City native and current WBC welterweight world champion Victor Ortiz brought his title belt to Hoglund Ballpark Tuesday night when the Jayhawks hosted in-state foe Wichita State. KU went on to win the game, 7-4. The two teams will meet again this evening in Wichita, with first pitch slated for 6:30 p.m. at Eck Stadium.

Born and raised in Garden City, Ortiz is a life-long Jayhawk fan that began boxing at the age of seven. It is currently rumored that Floyd Mayweather is looking to get in the ring with either Ortiz or Miguel Cotto within the next year for his tune-up bout.

Ortiz definitely enjoyed his night at the ballpark in Lawrence on Tuesday, as he indicated on his Twitter page:

You can follow Ortiz on Twitter at: VICIOUSortiz (twitter.com/viciousortiz)

Future Jayhawk Q&A

2011-04-28T08:48:00.001-05:00

In November, Kansas head baseball coach Ritch Price announced his 2011-2012 signing class with the Jayhawks.

Throughout the season we will conducts Q&A’s with the future Jayhawks, who have signed the National Letter of Intent with KU during the November signing period.

Our Sixth Q&A is with Cody Kukuk from Lawrence, Kansas.

Kukuk, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound left-handed pitcher from Free State High School, is ranked as the No. 3 high school player in Kansas by Perfect Game USA. He was last year's Class 6A Kansas State Player of the Year, as well as the Sunflower League's Player of the Year. He was also the Kansas Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year.

Kukuk threw a no-hitter against Shawnee Mission East on April 19th.

Following the recruiting process, why did you decide to sign with the Jayhawks?

I have grown up around this area always being a Jayhawk fan. I have played at Hoaglund since my Freshman year at Free State and became familiar with the coaches. It seemed like a good fit for me.

Did you make a visit to Lawrence, and what was your most memorable moment or place you remember from your trip?

I live in Lawrence so it wasn’t new but I would say my favorite part was getting to know the players.

What would you like to major in at Kansas?

Undecided

Who has been the greatest influence in your life?

My Parents

What is one thing Jayhawk fans would be surprised to know about you?

I was home schooled until 5th grade

What is your most memorable sports moment you have been involved in?

Representing the Midwest at the Area Code Games and being Area Code Champions

Favorite Major League Baseball team and player? Why?

Team- Texas Rangers

Player- Cliff Lee because he is a dominant left handed pitcher and fun to watch.

What do you bring personally to the Jayhawk program?

I will give 100% all the time, be a good teammate and

do whatever to win

Do you have any superstitions when playing the game?

I sleep with my bat before games

Besides sports what are your hobbies?

Fishing and hunting.

What do you look to get out of your Jayhawk experience?

I want to become a better player and help the Jayhawks become successful.

What teams are playing for this spring and summer?

Will be playing for Free State High School in the spring and then be playing for Brett Lisher team in the summer.

If you were not playing baseball what would you be doing?

Go to college just as a student.

If you had to be something other than a baseball player what would it be?

Be a professional fisherman.

What is your favorite thing about Kansas Baseball?

Coaches are great and nice facilities.

Live Blog: Kansas vs. Creighton at TD Ameritrade Park

2011-04-25T12:56:00.000-05:00

Welcome our live blog coverage of Kansas vs. Creighton on Tuesday, April 26 at 6:30 PM. The blog will go live a few minutes before Tuesdays's first pitch between Kansas and Creighton at TD Ameritrade Park. We hope you will enjoy and participate in this blog. Here are just a few ground rules:

Please use your real name, first names only are okay. No screen names, handles or guest/anonymous posting allowed. Please feel free to include your home town with your name as well.

This is a moderated chat so not all comments will make it through -- if more than one person asks a similar question or post, we'll pick one. Since this is just like a digital fan section, we'd ask you to keep it family friendly with the comments with good sportsmanship. We reserve the right to edit comments for language before posting.

Finally, all are welcome -- including our opponent fans. We appreciate the perspective you can bring to the game.

Autographs in the Dugout

2011-04-23T16:39:00.000-05:00

After defeating #4 Texas 4 - 2 on Saturday afternoon at Hoglund Ballpark the Jayhawks took a few minutes to sign autographs for several young fans.

Promotions Update: Texas

2011-04-20T09:51:00.002-05:00

Kansas Baseball will host the Texas Longhorns April 21 - 23 at Hoglund Ballpark. The Jayhawks are fourth in Big 12 Conference standings while Texas comes into the series in the conference's top spot.

Here's a look at upcoming promotion's for this weekend's games.

Thursday, April 21 @ 6:00 PM

Buy One Get One Free: Purchase one admission and receive one free of charge.

Negro Leagues Museum Display: First Base Concourse (weather permitting)

Friday, April 22 @ 6:00 PM

Jayhawk Seat Cushion Giveaway for the first 500 fans.

Bring Your "A" Grade: Free admission for students who show a grade of A on any school assignment, test or report card.

Negro Leagues Museum Display: First Base Concourse (weather permitting)

Saturday, April 23 @ 1:00 PM

Millard Management Day: First 500 kids ages 13 and younger receive a free baseball hat courtesy of Millard Management.

Family Fun and Food Day: 4 Tickets, 4 Popcorns and 4 Drinks for just $40.

Youth Baseball Day: $3 Admission for all kids wearing a youth baseball jersey.

First 100 kids receive a free set of Kansas Baseball Trading Cards

Kids can take the field with the Jayhawks for the National Anthem and after the game can run the bases and get autographs in the dugout.

Negro Leagues Museum Display: First Base Concourse (weather permitting)

Jayhawks in the Pros

2011-04-15T14:22:00.000-05:00

Kansas Baseball has several alumni in the pro ranks this spring and kuathletics.com will have all the latest updates as the season progresses.

Jayhawks in MLB:

Left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny took a loss in his first start of the season for the Washington Nationals on April 9 against the New York Mets. Gorzelanny, who pitched at KU in 2002, went 5 1/3 innings and allowed five runs on four hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. He is in his first season with the Nats after spending time with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs in his six-year Major League career.

Jayhawks in AAA:

Left-handed pitcher Mike Zagurski is off to a good start for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Zagurski, who pitched at KU from 2004-05, is 1-0 in two appearances this season and hasn’t allowed a run in 2 1/3 innings. The left-handed reliever earned his first victory of the year against Syracuse, retiring all four men he faced in 1 1/3 innings of work. He was a 12^th-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2005.

Continue Reading Jayhawks in the Pros

Future Jayhawks Q&A

2011-04-15T14:17:00.002-05:00

KU Baseball NLI Signee Wes Benjamin

In November, Kansas head baseball coach Ritch Price announced his 2011-2012 signing class with the Jayhawks.

Throughout the season we will conducts Q&A’s with the future Jayhawks, who have signed the National Letter of Intent with KU during the November signing period.

Our fifth Q&A is with Wes Benjamin from St. Charles, Illinois.

Benjamin, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound left-handed pitcher from St. Charles East High School, is the No. 15-ranked high school player out of the state of Illinois according to Perfect Game USA. Benjamin posted a 13-2 record in 16 appearances last season. He recorded a 1.26 ERA and struck out 112 in 83 1/3 innings. He was also named the Kane County Chronicle High School Player of the Year as well as an all-state selection by the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches' Association.

Following the recruiting process, why did you decide to sign with the Jayhawks?

Skip and Coach Graves won me over right away, and I loved the idea of playing in the Big 12. I also have an uncle that lives in KC so it started to all come together. As soon as I got on campus, saw the field, and met some of the players, I knew this was where I wanted to be

Did you make a visit to Lawrence, and what was your most memorable moment or place you remember from your trip?

My family and I made a trip to KU the weekend of the Georgia Tech football game and getting to storm the field after the win was incredible. That night we went out with some of the players and coaches and Jordan Jakubov ordered a round of chocolate covered bacon– I won’t forget that either.

What would you like to major in at Kansas?

Pre-Physical Therapy

Who has been the greatest influence in your life?

I have many people to thank - my parents, coaches and friends.

What is one thing Jayhawk fans would be surprised to know about you?

That’s a tough question to answer. I guess I don’t have any big surprises about me besides I love to make people laugh.

What is your most memorable sports moment you have been involved in?

Being able to pitch at Wrigley Field was one of the greatest baseball moments I’ve been apart of, and will never forget.

Favorite Major League Baseball team and player? Why?

The Chicago Cubs are my team. Wrigley Field has a great atmosphere and game day experience. Currently, I would have to say that my favorite player is Cliff Lee because he can just flat-out pitch. Someone who I strive to become one day.

What do you bring personally to the Jayhawk program?

I hope to bring a sense of intelligence and dominance to the mound when I pitch, and also to keep things fun.

Do you have any superstitions when playing the game?

Nothing real serious, but I always lace up my left shoe first on game day.

Besides sports what are your hobbies?

My interests involve mostly sports related activities when I’m not playing baseball, but I like hanging out with friends,

What do you look to get out of your Jayhawk experience?

I am excited to be a part of such a good recruiting class, and would love to have a shot at playing with the Jayhawks in the CWS playoffs someday, as well as building lifelong friendships here.

What teams are you playing for this spring and summer?

I will be playing for my high school, St. Charles East, this spring and will play for the Downers Grove Longshots in the summer.

If you were not playing baseball what would you be doing?

I stopped playing football (QB / Punter-Kicker) and basketball after my sophomore year, so I assume I’d be trying to play one of them instead. I look forward to watching them at KU.

If you had to be something other than a baseball player what would it be?

I have been looking into Physical Therapy, so it’s definitely a possibility for a future career.

What is your favorite thing about Kansas Baseball?

It’s hard to pick just one thing. The coaching staff, players, camaraderie, and just the overall atmosphere of the game are incredible. I’m excited to be apart of it all soon.

Jayhawk Scrapbook

2011-04-13T12:04:00.001-05:00

Jayhawk Scrapbook from Kansas Jayhawks on Vimeo.

Brunansky: Big 12 Player of the Week

2011-04-12T11:37:00.002-05:00

Kansas junior center fielder Jason Brunansky has been named Big 12 Player of the Week for the Week of April 11. This marks the first time in his career that Brunansky has earned the conference’s player of the week award and the first Jayhawk to take home the honor this year.

Continue reading on kuathletics.com

Big12Sports.com release

Future Jayhawks Q&A

2011-04-08T11:11:00.000-05:00

KU Baseball NLI signee Justin Protacio

In November,

Kansas

head baseball coach Ritch Price announced his 2011-2012 signing class with the Jayhawks.

Throughout the season we will conducts Q&A’s with the future Jayhawks, who have signed the National Letter of Intent with KU during the November signing period.

Our fourth Q&A is with Justin Protacio from Honolulu, Hawaii.

Protacio, a 5-foot-6, 155-pound infielder from Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu, Hawaii, hit .442 with 12 stolen bases last season. He has been named all-state at second base in each of the last two years as well as first team All-Interscholastic League. As a freshman, he helped his school to a state championship and a runner-up finish at the West Region finals.

Following the recruiting process, why did you decide to sign with the Jayhawks?

KU was my best division one scholarship offer, so I took my visit up to Lawrence and loved every second of it. After the visit and meeting the staff I knew it was the program for me and it would be a perfect fit for me. Coach Price demonstrated a great recruiting process, and it really helped to have two other Hawaii boys on the team.

Did you make a visit to Lawrence, and what was your most memorable moment or place you remember from your trip?

Yes, I did make my visit to Lawrence in September. Besides the crazy plane ride from Oahu, I enjoyed the football game and all the Jayhawk fans that were in attendance.

What would you like to major in at Kansas?

Athletic Training/Kinesiology

Who has been the greatest influence in your life?

My parents, they have built a solid foundation for me from day one.

What is one thing Jayhawk fans would be surprised to know about you?

Me and Ka’iana (currently on the team) played for rival schools last spring. Also, I am not a big fan of mash potatoes.

What is your most memorable sports moment you have been involved in?

Going to the Junior League World Series in 2006 and receiving a baseball scholarship from KU.

Favorite Major League Baseball team and player? Why?

I don’t really have a favorite team. I do have two favorite all time players: Rickey

Henderson and Shane Victorino. Rickey because of the way he dominated the game.

Shane because he is a local boy, undersized like me, and plays hard all the time.

What do you bring personally to the Jayhawk program?

100% effort every time I step onto the field. A winning attitude to prove others that my height will not stop me from being successful.

Do you have any superstitions when playing the game?

I like to eat pasta, drink a lot of water, and do yoga before a game.

Besides sports what are your hobbies?

Going to the beach and attending reggae concerts.

What do you look to get out of your Jayhawk experience?

I want to mature as a person and as a baseball player. Learn how to take care of myself because my family will be thousands of miles away. Most importantly, I would like to get my degree and have a great baseball career.

What teams are playing for this spring and summer?

This Spring I am playing for my high school team (Mid-Pacific Institute), and this summer I will be going to Japan for a month with the Hawaiian Island Movers Baseball Team to play Japanese college teams.

If you were not playing baseball what would you be doing?

I would probably be trying to start up my own reggae band.

If you had to be something other than a baseball player what would it be?

Athletic Trainer

What is your favorite thing about Kansas Baseball?

Everything about the program, especially the competition and other tough teams

within the conference.

Jayhawks in the Pros

2011-04-07T15:00:00.002-05:00

Kansas Baseball has several alumni in the pro ranks this spring and kuathletics.com will have all the latest updates as the season progresses.

Jayhawks in MLB:

· Left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny is opening his seventh big league season with the Washington Nationals after being traded from the Chicago Cubs during the offseason. Gorzelanny, who played at KU in 2002, went 7-9 with a 4.09 ERA in 23 starts for the Cubs last season.

Jayhawks in AAA:

· Left-handed pitcher Mike Zagurski is looking to get back to the major leagues, but will open the 2011 season in Triple-A with the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs of the International League. Zagurski, who played at KU from 2004-05, went 2-3 in Triple-A last season with a 3.27 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings. He also pitched in eight games for the Philadelphia Phillies during the 2010 season.

Continue Reading Jayhawks in the Pros.

Jayhawks for a Cure

2011-04-07T14:44:00.000-05:00

Join Kansas Baseball in the fight against cancer on Saturday, April 9 as the Jayhawks host Nebraska in their annual Jayhawks for a Cure game at 2:00 PM. The Jayhawks look to raise prostate cancer awareness and funding for all cancer treatment and research at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and the KU Cancer Center.

KU Baseball wears light blue armbands
for prostate cancer awareness.

Once again, the team will wear light blue armbands and fans wearing light blue will be admitted for $3. In addition the first 500 fans in attendance will receive a Jayhawks for a Cure bracelet. Donations will be accepted at the promotions table on the home plate concourse to support cancer treatement and research at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and the KU Cancer Center.

For more information or to download a donation form visit the Jayhawks for a Cure page.

Nebraska Series Promotions:

Friday, April 8 @ 6:00 PM
Bring Your "A" Grade: Free admission for students 13 and younger who show an "A" grade on a school project, paper, test or report card.

KU Students: The first 200 KU students receive a voucher for a free corndog and candy.

Saturday, April 9 @ 2:00 PM
Jayhawks for a Cure

Kids take the field for the National Anthem

Sunday, April 10 @ 1:00 PM
Family Fun and Food Day: 4 Tickets, 4 Popcorns and 4 Drinks for just $40.

Youth Baseball Day: $3 Admission for all kids wearing a youth baseball jersey.

Kids Day: First 100 kids receive a free set of Kansas Baseball trading cards. Kids can take the field with the Jayhawks for the National Anthem and can run the bases and get autographs in the dugout after the game.

Live Blog: Kansas vs. Missouri at Kauffman Stadium

2011-04-05T20:55:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our first ever live blog. The blog will go live a few minutes before Wendesday's first pitch between Kansas and Missouri at Kauffman Stadium. We hope you will enjoy and participate in this blog. Here are just a few ground rules:

Please use your real name, first names only are okay. No screen names, handles or guest/anonymous posting allowed. Please feel free to include your home town with your name as well.

Finally, all are welcome -- including our opponent fans. We appreciate the perspective you can bring to the game.

Big12Sports.com Video: Kansas Pitcher T.J. Walz

2011-04-05T09:35:00.002-05:00

In case you missed it, check out this video feature on Kansas pitcher T.J. Walz from Big12Sports.com.

Jayhawk Scrapbook

2011-04-05T09:32:00.001-05:00

Last week we posted the first of our Jayhawk Scrapbook videos that play on the Hoglund Ballpark videoboard. If you missed it check it out here. Below are a couple more Jayhawk Scrapbook videos that have been featured during recent games. See if you can figure out who the features Jayhawks are before the end.

Jayhawk Scrapbook from Kansas Jayhawks on Vimeo.

Jayhawk Scrapbook from Kansas Jayhawks on Vimeo.

Jimmy Waters' Favorite Places to Play

2011-04-04T12:14:00.001-05:00

Senior outfielder Jimmy Waters is back to talk about some of his favorite places to play including Olsen Field at Texas A&M and Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium. The Jayhawks will meet Border Showdown rival Missouri at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday at 5:30 PM. For those of you that can't make it to the game, the Kansas Baseball Blog will be bringing you all the action in our first ever live blog. Check back here on Wednesday or look for the event reminder box in the right sidebar to signup.

One of the great things about playing in the Big 12 are the different stadiums you get to play in. Playing in these venues is an experience I will remember forever. We recently got the chance to play at Texas A&M, which to me is the best place to play in the conference.

Kansas at Texas A&M

The surroundings of the ballpark, which include the university recreation center, indoor football facilities, the train tracks behind the outfield fence in right, and the tailgaters in left field sitting on their pickups trying to heckle the left fielder (which happened to be me), are something special.

The upper deck student section is always trying to get into opposing players’ heads, which makes it a tough place to play. That type of environment can crumble a player if he is scared. On the other hand, it can bring out the best in a player.

During the Friday night series opener at A&M, people who were at the stadium or watching got to see T.J. Walz be absolutely special. Walking onto a mound and pitching is already hard enough to do. Then put on top of that, you’re going up against an All-American and projected first round draft pick, you have to deal with 5,000 Aggie fans who were chanting “TEEEEEEEEEE JAAAAAAAAAAY” every minute, and making other comments about you and your family that you must not let get to you.

T.J. walked onto that mound and struck out the side in the first inning, and I knew that it was on. I thought that would be enough to quiet the crowd for a while, but that’s what makes Texas A&M pretty special, they were right back at it when T.J. came out of the dugout to pitch in the second inning and they were on him the whole game. I have gotten to see T.J. pitch for four years now and he has had some very impressive outings, but that game ranks at the top for me. I’d take T.J. every Friday night going up against anyone in any environment, that’s how impressed I have been with him.

Jimmy at Kauffman Stadium in 2010

Being so close to Kansas City also allows us to play in one of the best major league ballparks in Kauffman Stadium. It’s not every day that you get to play in a major league park and when you get that opportunity, you want to play your best. We are lucky to get this chance. Every year we get to face off against our rival Missouri at Kauffman, which puts a little more on the line being at a big league ballpark. In my three years we have not lost to Missouri at Kauffman and I hope we will make it four years in a row. I remember two years ago when the crowd at Kauffman started the Rock Chalk Chant before the last out was recorded and it just made the Missouri crowd quiet, even Missouri’s super fan Pat, who is never quiet. It should be a great game and I encourage fans to come and see a competitive baseball game at a great venue.

Below are my lists of my favorite places that I’ve gotten to play at as a Jayhawk:

Favorite Places to play in the BIG 12
1. Texas A&M
2. Texas
3. Nebraska
4. Baylor
5. Oklahoma
6. Kansas State
7. Oklahoma State
8. Missouri
9. Texas Tech
*Based on stadium, crowd atmosphere, surroundings, and playing surface.
**Kansas not included

Top 5 Favorite Non Conference places to play
1. LSU
2. Arkansas
3. North Carolina
4. Wichita State
5. Vanderbilt/Missouri State

Top 5 Favorite Places to play (non school affiliated)
1. Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City Royals)
2. Rosenblatt Stadium (College World Series/Creighton)
3. Bricktown Stadium (Big 12 Tournament)
4. Surprise Stadium (Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals Spring Training facility)
5. Peoria Stadium (Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres Spring Training facility)

Border Showdown at Kauffman Stadium

2011-04-03T10:51:00.000-05:00

Kansas Baseball will meet Border Showdown rival Missouri at Kauffman Stadium on
Wednesday, April 6. Tickets are on sale through the Kansas City Royals box office
and will grant you admission to Kauffman Stadium for the Royals - White Sox
game at 1:10 PM and the Kansas - Missouri game at 5:30 PM. The Jayhawks defeated the Tigers in their last two meetings at Kauffman Stadium in 2009 and 2010.
Get your tickets by calling 800-6ROYALS or visiting kcroyals.com.

Future Jayhawks Q&A

2011-03-31T11:00:00.000-05:00

KU Baseball NLI signee Joey Luvisi

In November, Kansas head baseball coach Ritch Price announced his 2011-2012 signing class with the Jayhawks.

Throughout the season we will conduct Q&A’s with the future Jayhawks, who have signed the National Letter of Intent with KU during the November signing period.

Our third Q&A is with Joey Luvisi from Scottsdale, Arizona.

Luvisi is a 5-foot-11, 185-pound infielder from Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was named first team all-region as well as to an all-tournament team during an in-season tournament in Anaheim, Calif. He hit .378 last season with eight doubles, three homers and 21 RBIs in 82 at bats. His older brother, Jordan, was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2009, while his older sister, Jessica, is a junior at KU.

Following the recruiting process, why did you decide to sign with the Jayhawks?

Loved the school, and Coach Price is the man.

Did you make a visit to Lawrence and what was your most memorable moment or place you remember from your trip?

Yeah, watching KU upset Georgia Tech in football and rushing the field after.

What would you like to major in at Kansas?

Pre-Med

Who has been the greatest influence in your life?

My Dad

What is one thing Jayhawk fans would be surprised to know about you?

I love storms and weather.

What is your most memorable sports moment you have been involved in?

Winning the Hockey State Championship my freshmen year in overtime.

Favorite Major League Baseball team and player? Why?

Diamondbacks cause they’re my hometown team, and Peter Bourjos because he is the hardest working player in the bigs.

What do you bring personally to the Jayhawk program?

Hard work

Do you have any superstitions when playing the game?

Look Good-Feel Good-Play Good, and I chew a new piece of gum every at bat.

Besides sports what are your hobbies?

Playing Guitar, hanging out with my friends

What do you look to get out of your Jayhawk experience?

Become the best baseball player I can be.

What teams are playing for this spring and summer?

Notre Dame Saints and the Diamondbacks Scout Team

If you were not playing baseball what would you be doing?

Storm Chasing

If you had to be something other than a baseball player what would it be?

Host a survival show like Man vs. Wild with Bear Grylls

What is your favorite thing about Kansas Baseball?

Everything!

Promotions Update: Kansas vs. Baylor

2011-03-29T16:30:00.000-05:00

Kansas will play seven of it's next nine games at Hoglund Ballpark. Here's a look at this weekend's promotions schedule for KU vs. Baylor:

Kansas vs. Baylor

Friday, April 1st - 6:00 PM
Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day: $3 Admission with KU or state employee ID.

Saturday, April 2nd - 2:00 PM
Rock Chalk Rewards Double Points Day: KU students participating in the Rock Chalk Rewards program will receive double points.

Sunday, April 3rd - 1:00 PM

The first 100 kids in attendance will receive a free set of 2011 Kansas Baseball trading cards.

Sunday's are always a great day to bring the family out to Hoglund Ballpark. Every Sunday is Family Fun and Food Day. For just $40 the whole family can enjoy the game with four tickets, four popcorns and four drinks. It's also Youth Baseball Day when all kids wearing a youth baseball jersey receive admission for just $3.

Be sure to come early for the bounce house on the 1st base concourse (weather permitting). Kids can also take the field with the Jayhawks for the National Anthem and run the bases and get autographs in the dugout after the game.

Waters vs. Strong

2011-03-28T11:00:00.000-05:00

A few days ago senior outfielder Jimmy Waters wrote about the his upcoming reunion with summer teammate and Oklahoma State pitcher Mike Strong in his Summer Teammates Reunited blog. The camera caught up with Jimmy and Mike before the doubleheader on Sunday. Strong started on the mound in the day's second game. Waters went 1-for-2 against Strong and 3-for-4 in the game. The Jayhawks swept the doubleheader to win the series.

Waters vs Strong from Kansas Jayhawks on Vimeo.

Jayhawk Scrapbook

2011-03-26T19:17:00.000-05:00

The Hoglund Ballpark videoboard brings fans many special features throughout the season. We'll post some of them here for those of you that can't make it to the game. These features are always better on a sunny afternoon with a hotdog and popcorn, so if you can, join us for a game or two, or ten at Hoglund Ballpark this spring.

Check out this Jayhawk Scrapbook. See if you can figure out who the featured Jayhawk is before the end.

Jayhawk Scrapbook from Kansas Jayhawks on Vimeo.

Traditions Night

2011-03-21T14:28:00.002-05:00

Kansas Baseball held their annual Traditions Night during thier recent trip to Surprise, Arizona. Take and inside look with this weeks edition of From the Dugout.

Taditions Night, KU Baseball from Kansas Jayhawks on Vimeo.

Summer Teammates Reunited

2011-03-18T18:35:00.000-05:00

Senior outfielder Jimmy Waters is back with another update about standing up for a friend during a summer league game and facing one of his Jayhawk teammates in the same game.

After a couple up and down weeks, we are excited to begin the new season. The new season of course is the beginning of Big 12 conference play. This gives everyone on the team a fresh start and a chance for us to begin making a push to reach our goal of finishing in the upper half of the conference. This week weekend we will take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The last time the Cowboys were in Lawrence we were able to sweep them and we hope to do the same this season. It will be a difficult task has the Cowboys boast a pretty stellar pitching staff, but we have been preparing all season to face this type of pitching.

I’ve been personally looking forward to this series because this summer while playing for the Rochester Honkers in the Northwoods League, I was roommates with Mike Strong, who will be starting on the mound Sunday for the Cowboys. Playing 60-some games, traveling, and living together all in one summer with a person you become pretty good friends. A few of my teammates and I went down and visited him in Stillwater for a weekend this fall and it was a pretty fun time and we got to know a bunch of their players.

A funny story this summer happened to Mike and I in Willmar, Minn. Mike was pitching for us and I was playing left field. It looked like the umpire was squeezing Mike and all the sudden it seemed like no matter where Mike threw the baseball, it was being called a ball.

This was frustrating for me because all the sudden the other team is scoring runs they shouldn’t have. Finally, when the last out was made Mike said something to the umpire and got thrown out. I was running in from left and figured I should probably defend my buddy (might not have been the best decision). So, I defended Mike and said something to the umpire myself.

Well, then I was also kicked out of the game. At the time you are pretty mad about everything that happened, but now I can look back on that day and I’ll remember it forever because it was pretty comical. The other reason I will always remember the three innings that I played because the starting pitcher for Willmar was my Kansas teammate, Wally Marciel. In my first at bat against Wally, he fell behind 2-0 in the count and I knew he would be coming to me with a fastball and I was right and put the ball out of the park for a homerun.

Jimmy Waters had a home run trot
to remember this summer.

I may have “pimped” it a little bit too just because it was Wally on the mound. It was funny because I knew he was mad about it and he would not look at me at all when I was rounding the bases. So when I got thrown out of the game I think Wally was madder than I was because he wanted to face me again and get even, but he never got that opportunity.

The other cool thing for Mike and I is our host family from this summer will be making the trip from Elgin, Minn. to watch us face off this weekend. My host family this summer was great. We became pretty close and really enjoyed each other all summer long. I think it’s pretty cool that they will be able to watch us play against each other this weekend because there was plenty of talk about it this summer at the dinner table on what was going to happen when we faced off. I think it’s an interesting dilemma on who they will be cheering for come Sunday when I’m at the plate facing Mike.

It should be a very fun time for them.

Promotions Update: Big 12 Conference Opener

2011-03-14T17:56:00.000-05:00

Kansas will open Big 12 Conference play in the friendly confines of Hoglund Ballpark with a three game series with Oklahoma State beginning Friday, March 18th. Here's a look at the weekend's promotions schedule:

Friday, March 18th - 3:00 PM
The first 200 KU students in attendance will receive a free corndog and candy. KU students are admitted to all Kansas Baseball games free of charge with thier student ID.

Saturday, March 19th - 1:00 PM
The first 500 fans will receive a free Jayhawk Mult-Function Headwear.

Sunday, March 20th - 1:00 PM

A young fan slides into home
after a recent Sunday game.

Sunday's are always a great day to bring the family out to Hoglund Ballpark. Every Sunday is Family Fun and Food Day. For just $40 the whole family can enjoy the game with four tickets, four popcorns and four drinks. It's also Youth Baseball Day when all kids wearing a youth baseball jersey receive admission for just $3.

Young baseball fans have the opportunity to get autographs in the dugout after every Sunday game.

Future Jayhawks Q&A

2011-03-08T10:54:00.002-06:00

In November, Kansas head baseball coach Ritch Price announced his 2011-2012 signing class with the Jayhawks.

Throughout the season, we will conducts Q&A’s with the future Jayhawks, who have signed the National Letter of Intent with KU during the November signing period.

Our Second Q&A is with Connor McKay from Aurora, Colorado.

McKay, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound outfielder from Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colo., is ranked as the top high school player in the state of Colorado by Perfect Game USA. During his junior season, he batted .446 with 10 homers, 34 RBIs and seven stolen bases. He was named an Under Armor All-American and was selected first team all-city and all-conference.

Following the recruiting process, why did you decide to sign with the Jayhawks?

I decided to sign with the Jayhawks because it’s one place that just fits for me in all ways, as well as my family. They had my major as well as a good business school and a great D1 atmosphere. I’m excited to play for Coach Price and love how the KU fans support the school. Lawrence is a total college town. Plus it’s close to home, and that keeps my mom happy!

Did you make a visit to Lawrence, and what was your most memorable moment or place you remember from your trip?

Came down the weekend of Feb. 20. I was able to see the Jayhawks play OSU at Allen Fieldhouse and then the next day got to see the Jayhawks' home-opener against Creighton. I really got to see the campus as a student before I arrive as a student-athlete.

What would you like to major in at Kansas?

Business, Economics, Engineering

Who has been the greatest influence in your life?

My dad has, by far, been the greatest influence in my life.

What is one thing Jayhawk fans would be surprised to know about you?

I can solve a Rubik’s cube, and I love ping pong. Those are 2 things off the top of my head.

What is your most memorable sports moment you have been involved in?

The Under Armour All-American Game by far. It was a once in a lifetime experience to play on Wrigley Field and play side by side with 35 of the best players in the nation. Not to mention being able to meet Cal and Bill Ripken. I’ll never forget participating in the Home Run Derby and being the recipient of the first annual Kelly Kulina Award, which is awarded for character, work ethic and sportsmanship.

Favorite Major League Baseball team and player? Why?

KU Baseball Signee Connor McKay

The Rockies, Yankees, and Phillies are my favorite teams and my favorite player is Josh Hamilton. By far he has the greatest story to tell, he motivates me to make something of myself to be somebody. When I grow up and when I’m playing ball I want to be that guy who makes people want to get up and do something with their lives. That’s why I feel like my injury is a blessing in disguise.

What do you bring personally to the Jayhawk program?

Personally I feel I bring speed, a bat with both power and average, I bring an arm from the outfield and a glove, I love to dive for balls! But most of all I bring energy and leadership. Since my injury I’ve learned I won’t ever take playing the sport I love for granted. No one should know what it feels like to have the game end abruptly and not be able to come back. Play every moment like it’s your last. Because you never know when it might end.

Do you have any superstitions when playing the game?

Plenty of superstitions! One I'm avid about is not stepping on the line EVER. I follow all of my routines.

Besides sports what are your hobbies?

Ping pong, hunting, cars, just tinkering with things in general.

What do you look to get out of your Jayhawk experience?

An education, I want to be able to understand more about myself and who I am as a person.

What teams are you playing for this spring and summer?

I’m not sure if I’ll be able to play this spring, but if/when I do I’ll be playing for the Regis Raiders. I’m still deciding on a summer team, but will most likely be playing on a local college league or the Northwoods League.

If you were not playing baseball what would you be doing?

Playing another sport! Maybe become an Olympic ping pong player, a sharpshooter, be a snowboard bum, be an economist or engineer.

If you had to be something other than a baseball player what would it be?

I would do something that involved baseball. I like coaching kids.

What is your favorite thing about Kansas Baseball?

The coaches, the coaching philosophies, Coach Price and the entire coaching staff. I haven’t gotten to know a lot of the players yet, but I’m really looking forward to my future here.

Eldredge vs. Eldredge

2011-03-05T10:02:00.003-06:00

Earlier this week, Kansas freshman Kaiana Eldredge got the rare opportunity to square off with his father - Southern Utah head coach David Eldredge - on the baseball diamond. The Kansas Baseball Blog caught up with both Eldredges before the doubleheader Tuesday.

Kansas Baseball Father vs Son from Kansas Jayhawks on Vimeo.

Kansas Baseball Promotions Update

2011-03-04T11:53:00.000-06:00

Kansas Baseball begins a five game home stand on Tuesday against North Dakota at 3:00 pm. Here is a look at upcoming promotions. We hope to see you at Hoglund Ballpart next week.

Tuesday, March 8 vs. North Dakota @ 3:00 PM

· Take Two Tuesday: Buy two tickets and get one free ticket to a conference game

of your choice.

· Jay Days: Corndogs, Popcorn, Candy and Peanuts are all just $2.

Wednesday, March 9 vs. North Dakota @ 3:00 PM

· Admission is Free

Friday, March 11 vs. Eastern Michigan @ 3:00 PM

· Buy 1 Get 1 Free: Buy one ticket and get one free.

Saturday, March 12 vs. Eastern Michigan @ 1:00 PM

· Buy 1 Get 1 Free: Buy one ticket and get one free.

· Jay Days: Corndogs, Popcorn, Candy and Peanuts are all just $2.

Sunday, March 13 vs. Eastern Michigan @ 1:00 PM

· Family Fun and Food Day: 4 tickets, 4 popcorns and 4 drinks for $40.

· Youth Baseball Day: $3 admission for kids wearing a youth baseball jersey.

· Kids Day: Kids take the field with the team for the National Anthem and run the

bases postgame.

· Postgame Autograph Session in the Dugout

For tickets call 800-34-HAWKS or log on to kuathletics.com.