Kansas Athletics
Kansas Jayhawks Baseball Home Opener Preview: Wichita State Shockers
The Kansas Jayhawks are coming off their first series loss of the season but will get to play their first home game against an in-state opponent, the Wichita State Shockers. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:00 pm CST. Like the Jayhawks, the Shockers have a 6-4 overall record, going 4-3 on the road and 2-1 at home.
Here's what I'm looking to see in today's home opener:
Kansas pitching will face a tough offense
Even though this is only one game, the Jayhawks will be facing a very tough opponent at the plate. The Shockers' offense is currently hitting .303/.380/.524 in 357 at-bats. They already have 108 hits, 27 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs, and 75 RBIs. Currently, infielder Payton Tolle is leading the Shockers hitting an impressive .442/.467/.651 in 43 at-bats. Tolle has 19 hits, three doubles, two home runs, and 12 RBIs.
Since this is a midweek game, the Jayhawks will likely not deploy one of their weekend starters. I anticipate LHP Ethan Bradford to get the start. Bradford started one game against Oakland this season, recording two innings pitched and surrendering three earned runs, three walks, and four strikeouts. If the Jayhawks want to win this game, they will need to string together a tremendous outing from their pitchers.
The Jayhawks' offense can score some runs
Similar to the Jayhawks, the Shockers will likely not throw out a weekend starter which could easily be an advantage for Kansas. The Shockers' pitching staff has a 4.91 earned run average to go with a 1.28 WHIP. The Shockers' opponents are hitting .247 with 80 hits, 14 doubles, one triple, and ten home runs. The Shockers' pitching staff has allowed 28 walks, eight wild pitches, and 13 HBPs.
Statistically, the Jayhawks have been good on the offensive side. Kansas is currently hitting .273/.360/.480 in 333 at-bats. The temperature will be less than ideal inside Hoglung Ballpark, and the baseball will look to travel. The Jayhawks have 14 home runs but have also hit 25 doubles. Kansas has four hitters hitting over .300 (Jans, English, Elvis, and Leto). Redshirt sophomore Jake English has burst onto the scene this year, hitting .320/.357/.760 in 25 at-bats. He has eight hits with two doubles, three home runs, and seven RBIs.
I would like to see freshman outfielder Jackson Klein get some playing time. When given an opportunity, Klein has come up big for the Jayhawks hitting .467/.556/.533 in 15 at-bats. Klein has started four games this season, and with it being a midweek game, I could see him getting another one.
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