KU will host Missouri State tonight (Wednesday) at Hoglund Park. First pitch at 6PM.
Starting pitchers have not been announced. I expect KU will bring Wally Marciel first for at least the first three innings. Marciel's regularly scheduled start was rained out Sunday. The freshman from Hawaii has been one of the bright spots for KU this year. In 17 games (8 starts) Marciel has compiled a 4-2 record and a nice stat line. (4.31 ERA, 48 Innings, 54 hits, 14/36 BB/K). Marciel may be on a low pitch count to insure he is fresh for work this weekend. KU has a bit of an odd schedule coming up this weekend, playing a four game series at home vs. Chicago State in three days. One game each on Friday and Sunday with a double header sandwiched between them on Saturday. Marciel will most likely be called on to start one of those games and, with four games in three days, Coach Price probably will be trying not to stretch out any of his regular arms in tonight's contest. I wouldn't be surprised to see Marciel, Esquibel and Ashwood all pitch two or three innings apiece.
The Bears are a pretty solid team despite their overall record. They rank #117 in the latest RPI, literally one single notch above KU. They already have beaten the Jayhawks once this year, a 7-2 decision on March 27th in Springfield. What killed MoState's year was a 14 game loosing streak, only snapped this past Sunday. Prior to that Royalesque tailspin the Bears sported a record of 18-11 and looked to contend in the tough Missouri Valley conference. Now, like KU, they are just hoping to end their regular season on a positive note.
Complete Missouri State stats can be found here.
Complete KU stats are located here.
Missouri State leads the all time series over KU with a 22-19 record. The two schools have split their six meetings during the Ritch Price era.