Wichita ? They might not know his name – or even his correct position – but the 21st-ranked Wichita State baseball team members sure knew about Kansas University left fielder John Allman and his comments about being the “best team in the state” last week.

“I don’t know if you guys read what their center fielder said in the paper, but it kind of got to us a little bit,” WSU freshman Conor Gillaspie said. “We just went out and played our game.”

Despite losing six of their previous eight games, the Shockers made certain to stake their claim as best in the Sunflower State by dominating KU, 4-0, Wednesday night at Eck Stadium.

“Anytime you give a team extra motivation, that’s not good,” Kansas senior Matt Baty said. “That’s bulletin-board material, and I talked to him about it. He knows that wasn’t the best comment. Even if you mean it, you just don’t say it.”

Gillaspie spoke out, but it was the Wichita State pitchers who stepped up.

After allowing 15 hits and eight runs to Jayhawk hitters in last week’s loss, three Shockers combined on a five-hit shutout in the rematch Wednesday.

Kansas University second baseman Jared Schweitzer bobbles a ground ball against Wichita State. The Shockers won, 4-0, Wednesday at WSU.

“I think (the comment) helped rally their pitching – that they were going to make a statement to not get knocked around like they did last week,” Kansas coach Ritch Price said. “To their credit, they rallied around their own players like our guys would rally if they made the same comment.”

Gillaspie provided all the offense for the Shockers from the seven-hole in the batting order.

The Wichita State third baseman used a strong wind to his advantage in the second, pushing a ball just over the left-field wall for a 2-0 Shocker lead.

The freshman needed no help in his second at-bat, blasting a no-doubter into the center-field lawn for a 3-0 Wichita State advantage.

Gillaspie had just one home run in 113 official at-bats before his consecutive jacks.

“He definitely was the player of the game tonight,” Price said. “I actually told our pitchers that, other than him, I was pleased with the way we pitched.”

KU's John Allman tries - but fails - to reach a home run by WSU's Conor Gillaspie. Gillaspie hit two out in the Shockers' victory.

For good measure, Gillaspie added an RBI single off second baseman Jared Schweitzer’s glove in the sixth. He finished 3-for-4 with all four of his team’s RBIs.

“Nothing against what he said,” Gillaspie said. “We just wanted to go out and prove ourselves a little bit and play the way we’re used to playing.”

Kansas stalled on its only true threat in the sixth.

Buck Afenir’s pop-up fell harmlessly between three Shocker infielders, and Baty followed with a single to right.

Normally reliable with the bat, senior Ritchie Price popped up his bunt attempt. A bad play turned worse when Afenir was doubled off second after breaking on contact.

“That was a really crucial mistake,” Ritch Price said. “Ritchie may be the best bunter in college baseball. I think that’s the first time I’ve seen him fail in the four years he’s been with us.”

Schweitzer flew out to center to end the rally.

Baty returned after missing 18 games because of a lacerated spleen and kidney. The leadoff hitter went 1-for-4 with a stolen base.

Meanwhile, it was a tough night for Allman, who entered the game on a tear. With a .432 average in his last 10 games, he went 0-for-3 and was harassed by a few jeers after the game.

“I didn’t worry about anything going on in the stands,” Allman said. “We just came here to play baseball.”

Price said the situation was unfortunate, since the sophomore never meant harm with his comments.

“I think it’s the first time the kid’s been ever quoted in a newspaper and has ever been controversial,” Price said. “He’s so clean-cut, All-American, it’s unbelievable.”

Kansas (20-11) will entertain No. 26 Texas Tech this weekend.

As for the Sunflower Showdown :

“Right now, nobody’s better,” Baty said. “We’re even.”