Huskies coach hopes young team can reach CWS

SEATTLE (AP) — Ken Knutson can't remember exactly how long he's had the little vial of dirt, or who gave it to him.

But the vial is sacred to the Washington baseball coach. The dirt inside comes from Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Neb., home of the College World Series.

It's a place Knutson has never taken the Huskies, despite some close calls. He'd love to fill the container in person.

”I thought we would have been to Omaha by now, because we've been so close,” said Knutson, now in his 12th season as Huskies head coach. Knutson, whose UW record is 423-271-2, recently passed Bob MacDonald (422-322-7) to become the winningest coach in Washington history.

”There's no doubt that the teams that have played us know how good we are,” Knutson said.

After five seasons without sniffing a Pac-10 championship, Washington (34-18-1 overall, 15-9 Pac-10) has surged to the top of the conference standings this season.

Washington can claim part or all of the 2004 Pac-10 title, depending on the outcome of Stanford's series against Arizona State this weekend. The Huskies will finish no worse than second.

It's an impressive season for a team with only three seniors in the starting lineup and a young pitching staff.

Following a midseason trip to Georgia Tech, the Huskies have won 16 of their last 21 games, including taking two of three games from then-No. 1 Stanford earlier this month. They have been ranked as high as No. 14 in the nation.

Before the trip back east, Washington had dropped four of five games at home, including a pair of losses to rival Washington State.

”When we went down to Tech, we had a big team meeting and said that if we play Husky baseball we'll be fine,” junior shortstop Nick Batkoski said. ”Taking two of three (at Tech) gave us the idea that we could play with anyone in the country.”

Around the time of the Georgia Tech trip, Knutson adjusted his pitching staff, making freshman Kyle Parker a regular in the starting rotation and using freshman standout Tim Lincecum on the mound twice a week.

Lincecum has posted a 9-2 record with a 3.38 ERA. He is third in the nation — and leads the Pac-10 — in strikeouts with 141.

”I just wanted to get a chance to play and I'm fortunate enough to be a part of the rotation,” Lincecum said. ”Knowing I can help the team is a good feeling.”

In the three-game series against Stanford, Lincecum pitched two innings of relief on Friday night, then threw eight innings as a starter on Sunday. He was the winner in both games.

”His dad wanted him to start all 56 games, I think,” Knutson joked. ”We knew he had ability and he's been consistent every start. I think he pitches better when we use him more.”

Offensively, the Huskies are second in the Pac-10 with 82 home runs. Sophomore outfielder Zach Clem leads the team in hitting, home runs and is second in RBIs. Seven starters are hitting .300 or better.

Knutson hopes this is the year the Huskies can break through.

”From the time I've been here we've needed one win to get to Omaha three different times. It's just a matter of getting through it,” he said. ”We need to break through and finish the deal. That's how you're measured nationally and at Washington too.”