Home Runs Lift KU to Tourney Title

Feb. 17, 2007

Box Score

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –

<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Kansas softball scored five runs off two homers to defeat Memphis 5-2 and claim the 2007 Sunshine State Tournament Saturday night. KU (5-3-1) finished 3-1 in the two-day event, winning the tournament tiebreaker by defeating No. 22/22 FloridaState 1-0 Friday.

“I am pleased with the progress of this team so far considering we have so many new faces on the field and have had such limited practice time outside,” head coach Tracy Bunge. “This is another good step forward for this team and we look forward to getting better each weekend.”<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

Freshman Amanda Jobe’s two-run homer in the top of the second gave KU a 2-0 lead. Sophomore Elle Pottorf walked to start the inning and Jobe knocked out her first career homer to right center, just short of the JoAnne Graf Field scoreboard.

Sophomore Stevie Crisosto followed suit with a three-run homer in the third, her first of the season. Senior Kassie Humphreys led off with a single to left center and was replaced by pinch runner Erika Simington. Freshman Sara Ramirez knocked a base hit up the middle and Crisosto racked up three RBI on a deep ball to left, 5-0.

Humphreys (4-0) finished with a season-best 10 strikeouts, allowed just two hits and walked seven in five-and-one-third inning to take the victory. Sophomore Val George earned her first save of the season, holding the Tigers scoreless, walking two and striking out one in one-and-two-thirds innings.

Jobe went 2-for-2 to lead the Jayhawks at the plate and compiled a .500 batting average in the tournament. KU totaled eight hits and stranded three on base while the Tigers (5-5) left eight on and were errorless in the contest.

Jenna Kubesch (3-2) took the loss for Memphis, allowing six hits, striking out four and walking one in four innings. Lyndsey Sterling gave up two hits, fanned three batters and walked one in three frames of relief.

For their efforts, Humphreys, Jobe and Crisosto were each named to the all-tournament team, with Humphreys taking home MVP honors.

The Jayhawks will next be in action Feb. 23-25 at the Red and Black Tournament in Louisville, Ky.

Kansas 10, Jacksonville 2 (5) — recap and box score

2007 Softball season tickets are on sale now. Adult season tickets are $40, youth and senior citizen tickets are $20, and University of Kansas faculty and staff tickets are $32. To purchase your season tickets, call the KU Ticket Office at 800-34-HAWKS or log on to kuathletics.com.

-KU-