Kansas Upended By Northern Iowa In Second Game of Jayhawk Invitational
March 7, 2009
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Northern Iowa rallied back in the seventh inning to defeat Kansas, 8-5, during the KU Softball Invitational Saturday morning at Arrocha Ballpark.
The Jayhawks took a 5-1 lead into the seventh inning but lost the lead after the Panthers scored seven runs. Kansas is now 7-13 on the season while the Panthers improved to 11-4.
The Jayhawks started off the day scoring three runs in the second inning. Allie Clark had a two-run home run that plated Ellie Pottorf (HBP). Stevie Crisosto brought in the third run of the game with a single that scored Brittany Hile.
The Kansas scoring continued in the third inning with a Liz Kocon RBI single. Kocon then tried to steal second, and while the defense was preoccupied trying to throw out Kocon, Clark was able to steal home.
Northern Iowa led off the sixth inning with a double and an RBI single, getting the Panthers on the board. In the top of the seventh they tied the game at five and followed by taking the lead on a three run home run by Lindsay Callanan.
Kansas pitcher Sarah Vertalka started the game from the circle giving up only three walks and struck out a career-high seven batters in six innings. Clark and Sarah Blair shared the final inning of the game as Blair suffered the loss.
Clark, Kocon and Hile each had two hits for the Jayhawks.
The Jayhawks will face the Eastern Illinois Panthers in the second game of their double header Saturday at approximately 12:30 pm.
