Since we haven't had much time to get involved with the spring sports yet, I think it's time to start our team profiles series. This is going to last for a while, we're going to talk about 32 teams and let you know everything you want to know about them. These first two are test previews, the series will evolve the more I'm able to investigate into the teams. We're going to start with two teams who are starting to make a little noise, with Kansas and Syracuse. We will wrap this series up on April 14th, and each Monday morning I'll try to recap what our Top 25 did over the weekend. Profiles after the jump!
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| Jenna Caira via Syracuse Athletics |
Although they haven't started Big East play, this senior laden team is already making a buzz. They've competed in 5 different invitational tournaments. They went 3-2 in the Kajikawa classic, defeating Texas State, Cal State-Northridge, and McNeese State while losing to Arizona & Cal. In the Cathedral Classic they went 2-3, defeating Northwestern and UC-Davis while losing to Pacific, Arizona, & UCLA. In the Citrus Classic they went 4-1 defeating UNC, Virginia, Michigan, & Baylor while only losing to Auburn. In the USF Under Armour Invitational, they went 3-2. The wins were against Miami (OH), Kennesaw State, & VA Tech, while losing to SC-Upstate and Boston University. Finally, they've recently defeated Bradley at home and went to the FAU Invitational where they won 2 games each against Jacksonville and FAU. They've struggled against Pac-12 and SEC competition, but that should harden them for Big East play.
PITCHING:
Jenna Caira (Sr.; Toronto, ON) 13-3 in 16 Starts, 1.45 ERA
Lindsay Taylor (Fr.; Northport, NY) 1-2 in 14 app. 1.34 ERA
Stacy Kuwick (Jr.; Fairport, NY) 3-3 in 11 app. 3.23 ERA
BATS:
Lisaria Daniels - OF (Sr.; Newnan, GA) .382 in 76 AB. 16 RBI, 5 HR, .671 slg %
Shirley Daniels - OF (So.; Newnan, AG) .303 in 66 AB. 8 RBI, 2 HR
Lacey Kohl - C (Sr.; Newman, CA) .250 in 68 AB. 14 RBI, 3 HR
Stephanie Watts - 2B (Sr. Clovis, CA) .250 in 64 AB. 5 RBI, 0 HR
Jamie Watson - 1B (So.; Irvine, CA) .236 in 72 AB. 14 RBI, 4 HR
The problem I see for Syracuse going forward is their level of competition. They haven't lost any games they shouldn't, sans Boston U. However, they haven't been able to capitalize on opportunities against better competition. To their credit, they did beat Baylor and Michigan. They look to be the 4th best team in their conference, and that'll determine their fate. They have a ways to go to catch up with Louisville, USF, & DePaul.
Kansas Jayhawks (20-5, 0-3 Big XII)
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| Ashley Newman is batting .402 already. via Kansas Athletics |
This young Jayhawk pitching staff calmed down after losing the first two games of the season. Rallying would be, an understatement. This team then ripped off 20 straight wins before running into #10 Missouri in Columbia. They started the season in the Southeastern Lion Classic, losing the first two games to Troy & UT-Martin, then pulled out wins over SE Louisiana, Jackson State, and Northern Colorado. They then played in the Charlotte Classic, going 4-0 against MTSU, Charlotte, & Stony Brook. In the Seahawk classic they went 5-0 against Fairfield, Gardner-Webb, & UNC-Wilmington. The Charleston Southern Tournament gave the 'Hawks another 3 wins over UConn, Charleston Southern, & Wisconsin. Finally, they went 5-0 in the Osprey Classic against Delaware State & North Florida. Their last series was their Big XII opener in Columbia where their 20 game streak came to an end as the bats went cold against the Tigers.
PITCHING:
Alicia Pille (Fr.; Royse City, TX) 9-3 in 12 Starts, 2.09 ERA
Kristin Martinez (So.; Texas City, TX) 5-0 in 12 appearances, 2.12 ERA
BATS:
Ashley Newman - 2B (So.; Salina, KS) .402 in 87 AB. 3 RBI, 0 HR
Maggie Hull - LF (Jr.; Lawrence, KS) .398 in 83 AB. 23 RBI, 4 HR
Rosie Hull - C (Jr.; Lawrence, KS) .365 in 52 AB. 11 RBI, 2 HR
Liz Kocon - RF (RS-Sr.; Katy, TX) .323 in 62 AB. 24 RBI, 3 HR
Mariah Montgomery - SS (Jr.; Ralston, NE) .263 in 76 AB. 27 RBI, 5 HR
This team has the potential to make a run. They have the bats, and their pitching is improving by the game. The problem for the Jayhawks here is that while all the statistics are good, they haven't played anyone. When they did, they lost badly. We'll have to wait to judge the Jayhawks until they've played a few more games. Ashley Newman is an excellent lead off hitter and Alicia Pille looks like she's going to be a great pitcher in Lawrence for years to come.
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