By: James Gravley | WV Sports Chat
The most crucial series for the No. 7 ranked Kansas Jayhawks and the No. 15 ranked West Virginia Mountaineers is happening this weekend.
Between both programs who sit atop the Big 12 standings with Arizona State following on the footsteps of both programs in third place.
Kansas has been playing their best baseball as of late this season, riding a 10-game winning streak which includes a series win against Oklahoma State and two series sweeps of Kansas State and Arizona.
Below is our Q&A with Colton:
James: This series is big for both teams, what are your 3 keys for a WVU series win and 3 keys for a KU series win?
Colton: For West Virginia to win the series, i think their starters will have to play deep into the games. If the mountaineers can pitch deep into games and save their bullpen i think they can definitely make noise in the series.
James: It feels like KU hasn’t lost in a month; how are they keeping the bats hot and pitching strong this late into the season?
Colton: For our players, I it’s the chemistry and the brotherhood that these guys have been able to build has been the biggest key for consistency. Everyone knows their role. And unlike last year, the Kansas offense can spray it from anywhere. They communicate well, and their never say die attitude is relentless. I think pitching has begun to really take its jump. Our starters are near the best of the best of the conference, and then you have a 3 headed dog in the back of the bullpen between Toby Sheidt, Riane Ritter, and an absolute monster of a closer in Boede Rahe. Dan Fitzgerald really emphasized early on that the best part of this team is this year’s bullpen for Kansas.
James: What 3 players must WVU slow down in order to leave Lawrence with a series win?
Colton: I think the 3 players that West Virginia needs to key on especially recently are preseason All-American Brady Ballinger who’s in our 4 hole spot who’s batted up to .385 in conference play. His numbers aren’t as flashy as they were a year ago, but he has definitely heated up in the latter part of the regular season! Josh Dykhoff and Cade Baldridge are the other two I’d really key in on. Josh displays the most power in our lineup, and Cade has been phenomenal and leads our team in multi hit games.
James: What 3 players must KU slow down in order to win this series?
Colton: First player that comes to mind for me is West Virginia’s Gavin Kelly. He leads the team in slugging %, over 40 RBI and has hit close to .400 on the year. I think he is the major benefactor for West Virginia in this series. Paul Schoenfeld & Sean Smith are the other two I would focus on. I think what Kansas does well is their approach to the scouting reports defensively and the shifts and adjustments they make for every batter. The ball likes to fly for teams at Hoglund Ballpark so Sean smith who I believe is ranked second on the team in home runs! And Paul Schoenfeld has had an all big 12 caliber season.
James: With 2 weekend series left in the Big 12, if KU wins this series against WVU they’ll be sitting pretty with a chance at the Big 12 regular season championship, do you think KU does that?
Colton: I wholeheartedly believe if KU takes the series, Kansas will definitely be your big 12 champion by the end of the weekend. With TCU being swept in Stillwater and the fact that Arizona State would have to sweep a red hot Oklahoma State team to stay alive. 3 wins will wrap up the title for Kansas. I did project Kansas to finish with a 24-6 conference record earlier this week and if any team can really take a game at Hoglund, it’s clearly West Virginia.
James: Who has been a surprise player for KU this season?
Colton: This one is easy. Gotta give it to Kansas’ Dylan Schlotterback who’s battling over .320 in the 9 whole slot. Plus his defensive intangibles at 3rd place has been tremendous for Kansas. Dylan is one of the smartest high iq guys in the lineup and in my opinion is one of the best 3rd basement in the big 12. Fitz even said that he may be the best 9 hole hitter in the country.
James: Are there any players on KU roster that should hear their name drafted this summer?
Colton: There’s 3 that really come to mind who will more than likely see their man called. Kansas’ Brady Ballinger, Dominic Voegele and Dariel Osoria have a lot of upside.
West Virginia and Kansas will begin its crucial three-game series this Friday in Lawrence.
Photo: KU Baseball
