Softball Splits in Final Day of SIU Classic
March 6, 2005
CARBONDALE, Ill. –
The University of Kansas softball team totaled 12 hits as it defeated Valparaiso, 4-3, and fell to host Southern Illinois, 4-2, Sunday to conclude play at the Kay Brechtelsbauer Classic. Junior Destiny Frankenstein led KU with three hits including her third home run of the tournament as the Jayhawks moved to 10-8 on the season.
With two outs, junior Jessica Moppin gave KU a 2-0 lead over Valpo in the bottom of the first with a two-run homer, her fourth of the season and 18th of her career.
Valpo (0-4) took a 3-2 lead in the top of the third on an error and two hits. With two on base, Valpo’s lead-off hitter Taylor Callahan hit a home run off sophomore Kassie Humphreys.
KU tied the contest in the fourth as Humphreys reached on an error and was replaced by pinch runner Heather Stanley. Stanley moved to second on a passed ball and came around to score on a single by junior Nettie Fierros to tie the game at 3-all.
Frankenstein gave KU the win in the bottom of the fifth with her fourth home run of the season and 11th of her career. The Jayhawks totaled five hits and committed one error in the win. Humphreys (2-2) struck out six, walked one and allowed just two hits in the complete-game victory.
The Jayhawks jumped on the Salukis in their first at-bat, scoring two runs off four hits. Freshman Jackie Vasquez reached on an infield hit and moved to second on a fielder’s choice. Frankenstein singled to score Vasquez and junior Serena Settlemier followed with a double to right field to score Frankenstein and put KU up 2-0.
SIU (8-7) won the game in the bottom of the sixth on a grand slam by Katie Jordan. After two straight Saluki hits and a fielder’s choice, Jordan homered to left center to give SIU a 4-2 lead and the eventual win.
Settlemier (5-3) struck out nine, allowed five hits and walked one in the loss, her first since Feb. 6 against Tulsa. The KU offense notched seven hits off SIU’s Amy Harre (3-5) but left six on base.
The Jayhawks will host their home-opening Holiday Inn/Jayhawk Classic Friday through Sunday at Arrocha Ballpark.
– KU –
