KU Softball Stays Perfect in Jayhawk Classic
March 12, 2005
Lawrence, Kan. –
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The University of Kansas softball team improved to 4-0 in the Holiday Inn/Jayhawk Classic Saturday with wins over Louisville (4-2) and Southwest Missouri State (6-5) at Arrocha Ballpark. With the victories, the Jayhawks improved to 14-8 overall on the season.
KU scored first against Louisville in the bottom of the second. Junior Serena Settlemier singled up the middle and freshman Elle Pottorf took first after being nailed by a pitch. The runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by junior Nettie Fierros and sophomore Kassie Humphreys doubled to left center to score both and give KU a 2-0 lead.
The Cardinals tied the contest in the top of the fifth off two hits and a Jayhawk error. Lisa Estes led off with a double, moved to third on a sacrifice fly and scored on an error by shortstop Destiny Frankenstein. Jenn Skaggs, who reached on the error, moved in scoring position on a wild pitch and came home on a double by Michelle Vasquez.
KU regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth, scoring two runs off one hit and two Cardinal errors. Junior Jessica Moppin led off with a single and moved to third on a throwing error while Frankenstein was safe on the fielder’s choice. With two outs, Fierros reached on a throwing error that allowed Moppin and Frankenstein to score and give the Jayhawks a 4-2 advantage.
Freshman Christina Ross struck out three and allowed three hits in 4.1 innings of work for KU. Settlemier (7-3) pitched 2.2 innings of relief, striking out three and allowing two hits for the victory.
KU managed four hits but left four on base in the win. Humphreys led the offense with two hits for two RBI.
After a short break, KU went on top early against SMS, scoring two runs in their first at-bat. Freshman Jackie Vasquez singled on a bunt and Frankenstein notched her sixth home run of the season and 13th of her career to right center.
The Jayhawks added to their lead in the bottom of the second. Fierros reached on a fielder’s choice and moved to third on a steal and bad throw. With two outs, junior Heather Stanley singled to left field to score Fierros and give KU a 3-0 lead.
SMS took a 4-3 lead in the top of the third off three hits. With bases loaded (a hit and two walks), Samantha Fleeman doubled to score the trio and April Johnson followed with a single to give the Bears the advantage.
The teams exchanged leads and were tied after seven innings. KU slipped away with a 6-5 win on the Bears’ only error of the game. In the bottom of the eighth, freshman Cyndi Duran was placed on second and came around to score on a throwing error by the Louisville third baseman.
Humphreys struck out four, walked four and allowed three hits in the first six innings of play. Ross (5-3) came in and allowed two hits in two innings but escaped with the win.
The Jayhawks stole a season-high five bases, totaled nine hits but left 11 on base in the victory.
KU will wrap up tournament action Sunday against Louisville at 11:30 a.m. (originally scheduled for 11 a.m.) The earlier match-up between the Cardinals and Bears (originally scheduled for 9 a.m.) has been cancelled due to inclement weather.
