KU calm as season gets dicey

Success in OSU series can seal tourney berth

The Kansas University baseball team has the whole weekend to lock up a berth in the Big 12 Conference tournament.

Two victories out of three games against Oklahoma State will guarantee the Jayhawks a spot in the tournament, which begins Wednesday in Oklahoma City. One win could be enough.

But the quicker KU puts the uncertainty to rest, the better. The Jayhawks have an outside chance, if they get help, at securing a seed tonight when they take on Oklahoma State at 7 p.m. at Hoglund Ballpark in the start of a three-game, regular-season-ending set.

KU and OSU will continue at 6 p.m. Saturday and wrap up the series at 1 p.m. Sunday.

“I don’t think anybody’s worried about it,” outfielder A.J. Van Slyke said. “We’re going out there to win the series just like we try to do every weekend. I don’t think there’s really a concern about not getting into the tournament.”

KU (34-25 overall, 9-14 Big 12) is eighth out of 10 Big 12 baseball teams, and the top eight qualify for the Big 12 Tournament. The Jayhawks have a one-game cushion over both Texas A&M and Kansas State (both 8-16 in conference), meaning either ninth-place squad would have to win two more games than Kansas this weekend to slip past the Jayhawks.

K-State plays three at Nebraska, while A&M will play a home-and-home series against Texas.

If KU can wrap up the tournament berth before Sunday, coach Ritch Price would yank ace and projected Sunday starter Kodiak Quick and save him for the Big 12 tournament opener.

Sean Land (5-5, 4.63 earned-run average) will start tonight, with Mike Zagurski (7-4, 4.41) going Saturday.

“If he starts Sunday, he can’t come back Wednesday,” Price said of Quick. “Our best matchup right now, if we were to get Baylor, would be to get Quick on the mound Wednesday. Hopefully, we’ll get it done before (Sunday).”

KU’s players seemed relaxed at a short practice Thursday, and several said the biggest stress test this week had been final examinations. The Jayhawks are 6-4 in their last 10 conference clashes, shooting from 10th place to a comfortable eighth.

“We know what’s at stake,” junior shortstop Ritchie Price said. “But we’re having fun right now. We’re playing as good as we’ve played — maybe as good of ball as we’ve played since I’ve been here.”

The Cowboys (32-21, 11-13) haven’t locked up a spot either, but they’re close. To earn a berth, OSU only needs either one victory or one Texas A&M loss. Tonight, OSU likely will throw lefty Thomas Cowley (9-4, 2.41), then throw another southpaw, Blake Kronkosky (2-2, 3.29), on Saturday.

KU is 15-7 when facing a left-handed starter this year, compared to 19-18 against righties.

It’s seems like another statistical edge to help KU. But the Jayhawks seem so relaxed, nothing matters except playing good baseball.

“We feel good,” Zagurski said. “Three weeks ago, we were on the outskirts looking in. For us to have the opportunity to control our own destiny … I think we have to be pleased with that.”