KU Softball Splits Second Day of Kajikawa Classic

Feb. 7, 2009

TEMPE, Ariz. –

After notching its second straight win over a ranked opponent with an 8-7 win over No. 9/11 Northwestern, the Kansas softball team fell in its second contest of the day with an 11-0 setback to No. 11/9 Stanford in the second day of the Kajikawa Classic here Saturday.

With the split, KU stands at 2-2 so far on the weekend with both of its wins coming against ranked foes- No. 7/7 Arizona and No. 9/11 Northwestern.

The Jayhawks will wrap up their weekend tournament Sunday with an 11 a.m. (CST) game against No. 23/22 Nevada. Live stats will again be available at www.kuathletics.com.

Game 1 – KU 8, Northwestern 7
KU vs. Northwestern Box Score

Junior Sara Ramirez hit a sacrifice fly deep into right field in the bottom of the sixth inning to drive in the winning run in Kansas softball’s 8-7 win over No. 9 Northwestern.

Just one day after upsetting No. 7 Arizona, KU, who improved to 2-1 in the Kajikawa Classic, picked up its second consecutive win over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 18 Baylor on May 11, 2006, and then beating out No. 12 Nebraska the very next day.

The win also stops a five-game losing streak against the Wildcats. KU last defeated Northwestern on Feb. 7, 2004.

Kansas held on to a 7-3 lead through five innings, but the Wildcats rallied back with four runs in the sixth to knot the score at 7-7.

Heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, freshman Sarah Blair led off with a walk to reach first base. Sophomore Kolby Fesmire entered to pinch run for Blair and moved over to third when senior Elle Pottorf hit a ball deep into right field for a ground rule double when it bounced over the fence. Junior Sara Ramirez then stepped up to the plate next and proceeded to hit a long fly ball, also into right field. Though the ball was caught, it was hit deep enough to allow Fesmire to tag up at third and make it home safely to earn KU the 8-7 lead.

Four other Jayhawks had RBIs in the contest led by junior Ally Stanton who picked up a three-run home run in the first inning, while sophomore Liz Kocon also had a multi-RBI game with a two-run RBI double. Senior Val Chapple led Kansas with two hits in the game.

Both teams got off to hot starts. Northwestern led off the game with a pair of home runs in the first inning to take a quick 2-0 lead. KU however, wasted no time getting on the scoreboard.

The Jayhawks batted through the order in the first inning as spots two through eight scored. Kansas brought in all seven runs on just three hits, including Stanton’s third career home run.

KU used three pitchers in the win as senior Val George earned the victory, going the final two innings and striking out four, including all three batters in the seventh inning to end the game.

Sophomore Allie Clark tossed the first two and two thirds innings before Blair took over for the next two and a third innings. Both made their first appearances of the season from the pitcher’s circle and combined for four strikeouts, while allowing eight hits.

Game 2 – KU 0, Stanford 11
KU vs. Stanford Box Score

Stanford scattered 12 hits over four innings as the Cardinals topped Kansas 11-0 in the Jayhawks’ second game of the day.

Stanford pitcher Missy Penna held Kansas hitless in the contest but two Cardinal errors put runners on base to prevent a perfect game. Senior Elle Pottorf also suffered her fifth hit by pitch of the season in the first inning to take first base.

The Cardinals scored one run in the first inning to open the game. KU then struggled in the second inning committing an error and giving up four hits as Stanford brought in five runs, four of which were unearned.

Stanford closed out its final two innings at bat with five earned runs on six hits.