Walk-off Home Run Sinks KU
March 10, 2008
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
A walk-off home run by Western Illinois’ Lauren Furgala lifted the Westerwinds over <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Kansas, 4-3, in the final game of the Jayhawk Classic here Monday afternoon.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Kansas (18-6 overall) took a quick 2-0 lead in the opening frame thanks to back-to-back RBI doubles from freshman Brittany Hile and sophomore Ally Stanton.
Western Illinois (1-12) tied the game up in the bottom of the second tallying two runs on a pair of hits and a fielder’s choice.
Both teams remained quiet over the next two innings until KU took its second lead of the game in the top of the fifth. Junior Dougie McCaulley jump-started the offense with a single to third. She then moved over one base on a single from Val Chapple and took third after a wild pitch. Hile proceeded to tally her second RBI of the day on a single to bring home McCaulley.
Heading into the bottom of the seventh with one out remaining for the Jayhawks, it looked as though the game was over, but Furgala sent a pitch to deep left field to spoil KU’s victory.
Four Jayhawks notched two hits in the contest including Hile, McCaulley, Stanton and Addy Lucero, while Kanas also went errorless on defense for the third consecutive game.
KU will stay in Lawrence this weekend as it hosts the Kansas Invitational, March 14-16. Buffalo and Louisiana Tech will make the trek to Arrocha Ballpark to take part in the tournament. The Jayhawks will open the weekend with a doubleheader against Buffalo Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
