Baseball team hits historic high

A crowd of 2,324 - the largest in Hoglund Ballpark history - watched KU defeat Wichita State 8-2 earlier this year.

Fourth-year head Coach Ritch Price watches the action from the dugout.

A NCAA tournament bid, an accomplishment for any team, has eluded KU baseball since 1994. But under the leadership of fourth-year head coach Ritch Price, the Jayhawks have won 30 games for the fourth straight season. At 32-18, KU has one of the best records in the program's history and stands poised for an NCAA bid.

"We want to finish in the top five in our conference, and if we do that, we will make the NCAA Tournament," Price said. "With the schedule we have in front of us, we would like to win 40 games." Prior to the current stretch of 30-win seasons, KU had never reached the 30-win plateau in consecutive seasons. Should the Jayhawks win 40 games, it would be just the third time in the program’s history.

The Jayhawks have six home games remaining: Non-conference games against Bradley and Northern Colorado May 12-14 and the final Big 12 series against Texas A&M May 19-21. They’ll also play in the Big 12 Championship on Thursday, May 24, at Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City.

KU Baseball Quick Hits

• The Jayhawks have 11 wins over ranked opponents, including five against top-10 teams.

• KU is 15-4 at Hoglund Ballpark this season. The team set an all-time attendance record at the March 29 game against Wichita State.

• The Jayhawks earned their 10th conference win on April 30 when they defeated No. 8 Oklahoma. The Jayhawks have posted double-digit conference wins in back-to-back years for the first time in Big 12 play.

Don Czyz

• Senior Don Czyz leads the nation in saves with 15. He was named to the watch lists for Stopper of the Year, awarded to college baseball’s best closer; the Roger Clemens Award, awarded to college baseball’s best pitcher; and the Dick Howser Award, which recognizes college baseball’s best player.

• Senior shortstop Ritchie Price holds the KU record for career hits (292), games played (237), at-bats (943), sacrifices (34) and hit by pitch (51).

• Kansas Athletics recently installed a new video board at Hoglund Ballpark.  Fans can see it for the first time Friday, May 12 when the Jayhawks host Bradley.