Jayhawks Defeat Cyclones 7-4 to Open Classic

March 2, 2007

Box Score

TULSA, Okla. –

<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Kansas softball tied a season high with 12 hits as it defeated Big 12 Conference foe IowaState, 7-4, in non-league action Friday afternoon at the Great Western Downtown Plaza Classic. The Jayhawks (8-5-1) will take a short break before facing tournament host Tulsa Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the Donna J. Hardesty Sports Complex.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

Sophomores Elle Pottorf and Stevie Crisosto paced the KU offense, each going 3-for-4 at the plate. Pottorf racked up two RBI and freshman Amanda Jobe notched three to bring their season totals to a team-best nine apiece.

Sophomore Valerie George (1-2) earned her first win of the season, allowing nine hits, striking out four and walking none in six innings. Freshman Sarah Vertelka picked up her first career save after giving up a hit and fanning one batter in the seventh inning. ISU used three different pitchers with starter Katie Reichling (0-3) getting the loss after the first one and two-thirds innings.

The Jayhawks struck early against ISU, scoring four runs in the top of the first. With two outs, Crisosto singled up the middle and Pottorf was hit by a pitch. Jobe stepped to the plate and blasted her second home run of the season to left center for three RBI. Sophomore Val Chapple singled and stole second before freshman Sara Ramirez reached first on an error, allowing Chapple to score.

KU added to its lead in the second, rallying again with two outs. Junior Betsy Wilson singled up the middle and Crisosto doubled to deep right, bringing in Wilson from first and giving the Jayhawks a 5-0 lead.

The Cyclones pasted two runs on the board when Jessica Quade notched a two-run homer to left center, her first of the season, in the bottom of the fourth.

Pottorf retaliated with a two-run homer in the top of the sixth to give KU a 7-2 lead. Crisosto opened the inning with a single to right center before Pottorf posted her second home run of the season to deep left.

ISU added two runs in the bottom of the sixth on an in-the-park home run. Quade singled and was replaced by pinch runner Amanda Bradberry to start off the inning. After a ground out and fly out to left, sophomore Dougie McCaulley (right field) and Wilson (center) collided in right center while going after a fly ball. Bradberry advanced home and Amie Ford’s hit was scored a home run after the ball tipped off one of the Jayhawks’ gloves in the collision and rolled deep into right. Wilson and McCaulley shook off the collision and remained in the game.

KU stranded 10 on base in the win but posted the most hits since Feb. 10 against San DiegoState. Pottorf also had three hits in the victory over the Aztecs.

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-