Druhan Throws Complete Game to Defeat Jackson State, 5-3

Feb. 11, 2012

Box Score

Kansas 5, Jackson State 3
2012 Southeastern Lion Classic
North Oak Park // Hammond, La.
021112aan_217_7432809.jpeg
Megan Smith and the Jayhawks went 2-0 on Saturday.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R
KU 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 5
JSU 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 3
Box Score | Box Score Get Acrobat Reader
Leaders – Batting
Kansas AB R H RBI BB HR
L. Kocon 2 1 1 2 0 0
M. Hull 4 2 2 0 1 0
JSU
T. Nave 1 1 1 1 1 1
W. Reed 2 1 3 2 0 1
Pitching
Kansas IP H R ER BB SO
M. Druhan (W, 1-0) 7.0 3 3 3 4 7
JSU
B. Jamerson (L, 1-1) 3.0 4 5 4 4 2
J. Warren 4.0 4 0 0 2 3

HAMMOND, La.- Junior transfer Morgan Druhan went the distance in the circle to lead the Kansas softball team in a 5-3 defeat of Jackson State to finish day two of the Southeastern Louisiana Classic, Saturday night.

Druhan (1-0) stole the show in the circle, ignoring the temperatures that fell to a 26-degree wind chill by night’s end for a solid complete-game effort. The junior transfer threw the Jayhawks’ first complete game of the season, toughing out 129 pitches to strike out seven, walk four and allow only three hits.

“I’m really proud of Morgan and her ability to come out and bounce back from yesterday,” head coach Megan Smith said. “She did a much better job of controlling her pitches – especially during inclimate conditions.”

Redshirt senior Liz Kocon posted her fourth multi-RBI performance in as many games, leading the Jayhawk offense with a 1-for-2 showing at the plate, drawing two walks and driving in two RBIs. Now four games into 2012, Kocon needs just eight more RBIs to become the all-time RBI leader at Kansas.

Junior left fielder Maggie Hull posted a multi-hit night, going 2-for-4, as seven of the Jayhawk starters collected hits in the victory.

Playing the role of the visitor for the first time in the tournament, Kansas (2-2) wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, taking a 2-0 lead in its first at bat. Maggie Hull led off the game with a walk before sophomore second baseman Ashley Newman dropped a single in front of the left fielder. Kocon drew a walk to load the bases, and senior Marissa Ingle and freshman Maddie Stein did the RBI work.

The Jayhawks came out drilling the ball in their next at bat. Hull, junior shortstop Mariah Montgomery and Kocon each cranked out doubles in the top of the second. Montgomery’s drove in a run, while Kocon’s knocked in two – her 9th and 10th RBIs of the weekend.

The Jayhawks held on to the 5-0 lead while Druhan diligently worked through the JSU lineup. Ignoring the falling temperature and cutting wind, Druhan was a rock in the circle, blanking JSU for five-straight innings.

Two late mistakes led to a two-run home run in bottom of the sixth and a solo shot in the bottom of the seventh – two of the Tigers’ three hits of the game.

Nevertheless, Druhan and the Kansas defense held tight to the lead. Newman camped under consecutive pop-ups at second and freshman catcher Lexi Bryant’s diving catch in foul territory marked the final out of the game.

SCHEDULE
Friday, Feb. 10
vs. Tennessee-Martin: L, 4-6
vs. Troy: 9:30 p.m. L, 7-8
Saturday, Feb. 11
vs. Southeastern Louisiana: W, 11-0 (5)
vs. Jackson State: W, 5-3
Sunday, Feb. 12
vs. Northern Colorado: 9 a.m. CT