Jayhawks Look for Season Sweep of the Shockers
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LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas baseball team welcomes Wichita State to conclude the two-game season series as they look to sweep the Shockers Tuesday, April 21, at 6 p.m. at Hoglund Ballpark.
The two teams previously met in Wichita on April 1, in an 11-inning slugfest that went the way of the Jayhawks, 13-12.
The Jayhawks weren’t messing around on April Fool’s day and blasted three home runs to top the Shockers, including a grand slam by Dakota Smith in his first game back from an injury.
The game sparked a bit of a hot streak for the senior, who has batted .310 in 12 games since his return, including five home runs and 13 RBIs. In the 20 games Smith played before his injury, he batted a mere .164, with no home runs and 15 RBIs.
Starting on the mound for Kansas is freshman Brandon Johnson, who has started just one game previously, a midweek contest against New Mexico where he allowed four runs in a career-high two innings, as the Jayhawks would go on to win the game, the first in a two-game sweep of the Lobos.
The Shockers come to Lawrence in a bit of a lull, winning just three of their last 16 games. Regan Biechler will make his first start of the season against the Jayhawks. The left-handed sophomore sports a 5.29 ERA in 17 innings pitched and had allowed 10 runs in 18 appearances.
“I expect Wichita State to come here looking to turn their season around,” head coach Ritch Price said. “We went to their place and took one from them in 11 innings. They’re in a slump right now and I know they are going to be playing hard to get a win against us and start moving in the right direction. We have to come out and grind and compete and make sure we play the best baseball we can play.”
The game can be heard on the Jayhawk Radio Network via KUAthletics.com/radio with Shane Jackson and recent Kansas baseball alumnus Ka’iana Eldredge on the call.
Along with the radio airing, the game will be broadcast live on the Jayhawk Television Network. To check local listings for availability visit KUAthletics.com/JTV. The game will also be streamed on ESPN3, via WatchESPN.com, to those outside of the viewing area.
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