March 09, 2012

Kansas Tops Delaware State in Weekend Opener, 5-2

March 9, 2012

Kansas 5, Delaware State 2
Osprey Classic
UNF Softball Complex // Jacksonville, Fla.

Ashley Newman posted her second three-hit game of the year in the win.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
DSU	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	2	6	5
KU	3	0	0	0	1	1	X	5	7	1

Box Score | Box Score

Leaders – Batting
Kansas	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	HR
A. Newman	4	2	3	0	0	0
M. Hull	3	1	1	2	0	0
Delaware St.
K. Doherty	3	0	2	2	0	0
C. Beighley	3	1	2	0	0	0

Pitching
Kansas	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
K. Martinez (W, 4-0)	4.0	4	1	1	0	2
A. Spencer	2.0	2	1	1	0	0
A. Pille (S, 2)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2

Delaware St.

C. Beighley (L, 1-2)

5.1

S. Sarris

0.2

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Another three-hit game from sophomore second baseman Ashley Newmanled the offense, pushing the Kansas softball team to its 16-straight victory, defeating Delaware State, 5-2, in an additional game preceding the start of the Osprey Classic, Friday afternoon.

Newman, who has racked up at least one hit in 16 of Kansas’ (16-2) 18 games this season, recorded her second three-hit effort of the season and scored twice to help the Jayhawks continue their march to history. KU now sits one game away from tying – two from breaking – the longest win streak in school history (17, 1992).

Junior left fielder Maggie Hull drove in a pair of runs, while twin sister Rosie also had an RBI. Junior shortstop Mariah Montgomery and new all-time RBI leader Liz Koconalso drove in a run a piece in the win.

In the circle, sophomore Kristin Martinez (4-0) tossed four innings, allowing one run off four hits. Senior Ashley Spencer worked two innings of relief also giving up a single run, while freshman Alicia Pillestruck out two in the top of the seventh en route to her second save of the season.

Senior Casey Beighley (1-2) took the loss for Delaware State (3-6), while left fielder Kelsey Doherty led the Hornets at the plate going 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

An odd first inning didn’t deter the Jayhawks from getting on the board in their first at bat. Newman ripped a single off the pitcher’s glove and was quickly off the bases when junior left fielder Maggie Hull drilled a double to right center to bring Newman home. A hard hit single landed junior shortstop Mariah Montgomeryon second after the ball was mishandled in the outfield, leaving Hull enough room to score.

After Kocon drew a walk, sheets of rain suddenly hit the field prompting a rain delay. Just as quickly as it approached, however, the rain subsided and the players retook the field in less than 15 minutes.

Junior Rosie Hullwas the first up after the flash delay and immediately sent a double down the right field line, the second double for the Twins in the opening frame, and KU took a 3-0 lead out of the first inning.

Martinez sailed through the first three innings, surrendering just two hits while keeping the Hornets scoreless. In the top of the fourth, back-to-back doubles broke up the shutout, but Martinez ended the inning to keep the 3-1 lead and Spencer took over in the top of the fifth.

As for her run support, the KU’s new RBI leader was happy to oblige. Kocon pulled a single through the right side, scoring Newman and stretching the Kansas lead to 4-1. Although a two-out double from DSU would cut the lead back to two, Maggie Hull’ssac fly in the bottom of the sixth gave the Jayhawks all the offense needed.

Pille came in for three quick outs in the top of the seventh, including a pair of strikeouts, to seal the 5-2 win.

SCHEDULE
Friday, March 9
vs. Delaware State, W, 5-2
vs. Delaware State, 4 p.m. CT
Saturday, March 10
vs. North Florida, 1:30 p.m. CT
vs. Delaware State, 4 p.m. CT
Sunday, March 11
vs. North Florida, 9 a.m. CT