Kansas Athletics
Kansas Jayhawks Baseball Series Preview: Kansas State Wildcats
The Kansas Jayhawks baseball team has been on a hot streak, winning three consecutive series against Baylor, West Virginia, and Texas Southern. Since March 29th, the Jayhawks have won 9-out-of-10 games and will now welcome in-state rival the Kansas State Wildcats for a three-game series.
The Kansas Offense Must Continue Hitting Home Runs
The Jayhawks' offense has been hitting home runs at an impressive rate. Currently, Kansas has connected for a team 40 home runs versus their opponents' 29, which ranks them 7th in the Big 12 and tied for 85th in D1 baseball. Janson Reeder leads the team with eight home runs with a slugging percentage of .564. Followed by Reeder are the two catchers, Elvis and English, with seven home runs. Elvis recently had three consecutive games with a home run. It is not ironic when the Jayhawks hit the baseball over the fence, they drive in runs and have won nine out of their last ten.
The Kansas State Wildcats' pitching staff has limited the home run, only surrendering 24 on the season. The Kansas State pitching does allow the second-highest opponent batting average in the Big 12, giving up an opponent .285 average. They have allowed the second most doubles in the Big 12, only behind Baylor. Their team earned run average is 4.81 with a 1.51 WHIP. The Wildcats' pitching has given up 340 hits, 162 earned runs, and 118 walks in 303 innings pitched. They average 3.50 walks per game, ranking them 24th in D1 baseball. If the Kansas offense can remain patient, look to draw walks and drive the baseball over the fence, there might be fireworks in Lawrence, Kansas.
The Jayhawks’ Pitching Staff Must Limit the Base on Balls
The Kansas coaching staff will deploy their weekend starters to square off against the Wildcats' offense which is one of the best in the Big 12 at drawing walks. The Wildcats lead the Big 12 in walks and are ranked 1st overall in all D1 baseball with 239. The Kansas pitching staff excels at limiting the base on balls. The Jayhawks have allowed 130 walks ranking them 6th in the Big 12.
Kansas State has a batting average of .268, which ranks them 8th in the Big 12 and 184th in D1 baseball. Taking it a step further, the Wildcats have a slugging percentage of .456, ranking them 7th in the Big 12 and 101st in D1 baseball. They have 308 hits, 58 doubles, seven triples, 48 home runs, and 254 RBIs. The Kansas pitching staff can limit the damage by not giving up extra-base hits and limiting walks.
The Kansas Jayhawks are off to an impressive Big 12 season with a record of 5-4, putting them 4th in the standings. The Kansas State Wildcats are 6-6 in Big 12 play and sit 6th in the standings. A significant series for both teams will start tonight at 6:00 PM CST. Game two is on Saturday, April 15th, at 2:00 PM CST, and game three, Sunday, April 16th, at 1:00 PM CST.