despite back-to-back basement finishes

There’s a new man in charge of Kansas University’s baseball team, and he has nowhere to go but up.

Ritch Price of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo was hired on July 1 to replace Bobby Randall who resigned in May after back-to-back basement finishes in the Big 12 Conference.

Though Texas and the other southern schools have dominated the conference in its six years of existence, Price sees Nebraska’s success under Dave Van Horn as an indication the Big 12’s northern teams can be competitive.

“I think the Kansas baseball program is an absolute sleeping giant,” Price said. “Look at what coach Van Horn has been able to do at Nebraska  build a program that is special.”

Van Horn left for Arkansas, however, about the same time KU hired Price.

Price, who compiled a record of 503-403-1 at Cal Poly, De Anza Community College and Menlo College, will have to start his building process on the mound because the Jayhawks’ three primary starters in 2002 were all seniors.

Adding to the pitching woes was a shaky bullpen that blew 10 leads  six after the seventh inning.

Price hopes to remedy the mound woes by using five or six of the team’s 11.7-alloted full scholarships on three starters, a closer and a middle reliever or two.

Still, KU’s returning pitchers could make an impact.

Sophomores Tom Gorzelanny and Chris Jones and junior Chris Smart all pitched at least 40 innings, and Gorzelanny and Jones both started a handful of times.

Gorzelanny hopes to show Price he can be the “Friday starter” Â the starting pitcher in the first game of each three-game Big 12 series.

“I’m going to really work hard to impress this guy,” Gorzelanny said. “I started in high school, and I really liked it. I didn’t mind relieving, but a starting role is much better than relieving.”

Gorzelanny started seven games and pitched in 14 others last spring, compiling a 3-7 record with a 5.90 earned run average.

Gorzelanny was a starter for his summer league team and faced Smart when their teams met in June. Smart won a pitchers’ duel, 2-1, and held Gorzelanny’s team hitless through five innings.

“He’s been getting better and better,” Gorzelanny said, “and he’s a lot more confident with his split finger. I think he’s going to do real well.”

Price also will have 11 pitchers signed by Randall aide Brett McCabe, including Billy Fullam, who was ranked as the ninth-best prospect in the Northeast by Baseball America after going 7-2 with a 2.24 ERA at Briarcliff College in Bethpage, N.Y.

“We’re going to be young again,” Gorzelanny said, “but we’ve got to have these recruits come in and step it up. I think coach McCabe did a good job of recruiting and getting a lot of good arms in here. I think if everyone steps up we’ve got a really good chance at doing well.”

While youth reigns on the mound, the Jayhawks will be experienced on offense. All but one starter will return.

“I think, especially in the Big 12 Conference, experience is one of the best ways to train a player for success,” junior outfielder Ryan Baty said. “We had a fairly young team last year offensively, so I think it’s nothing but a positive for us to have guys with another year under their belts.”

Baty led the team in batting average (.341), slugging percentage (.548), runs (52), RBI (51), doubles (21) and stolen bases (15) last spring, his first full season with the Jayhawks after two injury-plagued campaigns.

“You go there and you have a lot of expectations,” Baty said, “and things didn’t work out at first, and to finally get a year under my belt to do what I know I can do felt good.”

Infielder Casey Spanish, Baty’s roommate, should be healthy after last season’s shoulder problems and, along with center fielder Lance Hayes, add some speed to the top of the lineup. Right fielder Matt Tribble and first baseman Kevin Wheeler, who led the team with eight home runs, will add power.

One potential trouble spot is catcher. Freshman Cole Armstrong, who started 35 games last spring, asked for and received a release in July.

With an experienced offense, up-and-coming pitching and a new coach, everyone is naturally optimistic.

“I’m really excited for this season,” Gorzelanny said. “I think coach Price a good fit for us and he’s going to turn us around. I pretty much can’t wait until we get there.”