KU Wins At Tulsa, 6-3, Takes Tournament Crown
March 5, 2006
Tulsa, Okla. – Kansas softball defeated Tulsa, 6-3, Sunday at the Donna J. Hardesty Sports Complex to finish the weekend 4-1 and win the 2006 Best Western Airport Festival. The victory moved the Jayhawks to 9-10 overall and ended a 19-game, month-long road stand.
Senior Serena Settlemier (5-3) struck out six, gave up eight hits and walked two in 6.2 innings. At the plate, Settlemier notched a single and home run (2-for-3) to help the Jayhawks’ offensive charge. Junior Kassie Humphreys grounded out the final Tulsa batter for her first save of the season.
KU took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Freshman Val Chapple was hit by a pitch to lead off and advanced on a base hit by senior Heather Stanley. Settlemier reached on a fielder’s choice (Stanley out at second) and stole second, putting two Jayhawks in scoring position. Senior Jessica Moppin doubled off the right center fence to score both runners and give KU the early lead.
Tulsa scored its first run of the day in the bottom of the fourth off back-to-back doubles. With two outs, Kelli McGlasson hit the gap in left center and Jessica Barr found the hole in right to score McGlasson, 2-1.
Settlemier notched her fourth home run of the tournament, ninth of the season and program-best 31st of her career in the fifth to put KU on top, 4-1. Stanley singled with one out to set up the two-run blast.
Senior Destiny Frankenstein added to her season home run total (nine) with a two-run homer in the top of the seventh, also bringing in Stanley, who reached on a fielder’s choice.
KU finished with eight hits but stranded five on base in the win. Tulsa threatened with two runs off four hits in the bottom of the seventh, but Humphreys was able to get KU out of the jam, grounding out the final batter with bases loaded.
Chapple, Frankenstein, Moppin and Settlemier were named to the all-tournament team for their efforts.
The Jayhawks open their home season with a doubleheader against Missouri State Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Arrocha Ballpark.
-KU-
