Big 12 Baseball Update

The K-State baseball team got some good news this weekend: they don’t have to play any Big 12 conference games. That may seem like a slight, but it’s not intended as one. To say that the Wildcats are struggling in conference play this season is a gross understatement.

At press-time for this article, the Cats were up 4-1 in the 5th inning, as they attempt to sweep a 3-game home series versus Nebraska-Omaha. However, these last two wins are there first wins since mid-April, and the Wildcats current Big 12 record is 3-15, with 10 straight losses, which places them firmly in the cellar. Their overall record is 22-27, after this afternoon’s win over UN-O, and they have a home series against the University of Kansas, whose current record is 19-28 (4-13 in the Big 12) next weekend that will serve as a de facto playoff for the right to not finish in last place.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Baylor Bears, at 38-8 (18-0) are running away from the rest of the conference. Preseason conference favorites, Texas A&M, in their last season in the Big 12, have struggled more than expected, but still sit in a tie for second place at 34-14 (13-8), with a #12 national ranking. Four Big 12 teams are ranked in the Top 25 by Collegiate Baseball. The current conference standings, with the CB poll rank preceding:

1. #1 Baylor, 38-8 (18-0)
2-tie. #20 Texas, 27-18 (13-8)
2-tie. #12 Texas A&M, 34-14 (13-8)
2-tie. #25 Oklahoma State, 28-18 (13-8)
5. Oklahoma, 30-18 (10-9)
6. Missouri, 25-22 (9-12)
7. Texas Tech, 26-24 (5-15)
8. Kansas, 19-28 (4-13)
9. Kansas State, 21-27 (3-15)

Updated records, as of 8:02 PM 5/6/12