February 24, 2006

KU Splits in Day One of Palm Springs Classic

Feb. 24, 2006

Palm Springs, Calif. – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFeb. 24, 2006Contact: Laura Lesko 785/865-6084

Palm Springs, Calif. – Kansas softball began the Palm Springs Classic with a win over Cal State Fullerton (4-0) and loss to Fresno State (6-0) Friday at Des Moines Field (Big League Dreams Complex). With the split, the Jayhawks moved to 5-6 overall.

Senior Serena Settlemier (three RBI) and freshman Stevie Crisosto (one RBI) paced the KU offense with two hits apiece on the day while junior Kassie Humphreys was stellar in the circle in KU’s shutout of the Titans.

KU scored first in the afternoon contest against the Titans (5-6). Settlemier doubled to lead off the top of the second and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by senior Jessica Moppin. Crisosto singled to left to score Settlemier and give the Jayhawks a 1-0 advantage.

Settlemier added to the Jayhawks’ lead with a bases-loaded double in the third. Freshman Val Chapple chopped a base hit to shortstop, senior Heather Stanley singled and senior Destiny Frankenstein walked to juice the bases for Settlemier’s second two-bagger of the game, 4-0.

Humphreys (3-3) held Fullerton to just two hits, struck out seven and walked four in the complete-game victory. The Jayhawks totaled seven hits off two Titan pitchers, with starter Candice Baker (4-2) getting the loss after three innings. Both teams stranded eight on base.

In their first game of the tournament, the Jayhawks could not produce offensively, managing just one hit off Fresno State (7-5). Bulldog ace Robin Mackin (6-3) totaled 17 strikeouts, walked two and allowed just one hit (by Crisosto) in the complete-game shutout.

Settlemier (2-3) gave up nine hits, struck out three and walked one in the first two innings for five of the earned runs. Freshman Valerie George was solid in five innings of relief, allowing four hits, striking out six and walking two in the final five innings.

KU will face #3 UCLA (3 p.m. Central) and UC Santa Barbara (10:30 p.m.) Saturday in Day Two of the Classic.

-KU-