Softball Hosts UMKC Tuesday in Non-Conference Doubleheader

March 29, 2010

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Complete Notes in PDF Format

Just two days after facing No. 19/17 Texas A&M, Kansas softball (14-17, 0-2 Big 12) is back in action on Tuesday, March 30 to host UMKC (8-20, 3-6 Summit) in a non-conference doubleheader starting at 4 p.m. at Arrocha Ballpark.

Live stats for both games will be available via Gametracker on the KU Athletics website at www.KUAthletics.com/softball.

About Kansas

Kansas suffered a pair of losses in its Big 12 opening weekend at No. 19/17 Texas A&M to stop a two-game win streak. At 14-17 overall, KU is led by freshman Rosie Hull’s .421 batting average. Senior Sara Ramirez has batted in 19 RBIs on six home runs, both team bests. In the pitching circle, junior Allie Clark owns a 3.28 ERA and five wins along with senior Sara Vertelka. Vertelka has a team-high 44 strikeouts.

Scouting UMKC

UMKC has lost its last four contests and brings an 8-20 overall mark to Lawrence for Tuesday’s matchup. Kaelene Curry paces the team with a .400 batting average and also has a team-high 13 walks and nine stolen bases. Emily Ott (.296) is one of three Kangaroos with double-digit RBIs having batted in a team-high 19 runs. In the circle, UMKC has used four pitchers led by Anna Sokolik’s 3.18 ERA. She has four wins along with Deanna Friese, who has struck out a team-high 92 batters in 78.2 innings.

UMKC is guided by fourth-year head coach Meredith Smith, who is 40-131 with the Kangaroos. UMKC went 20-34 last season and returns 15 letterwinners.

Series Information

UMKC has defeated Kansas just once in a series that dates back to 1988. KU owns a 24-1 all-time record versus the Kangaroos with its only loss a 2-1 defeat in 2002. Last season, the Jayhawks won by scores of 8-0 (five innings) and 7-2.

Up Next

Kansas returns to league play later this week, April 2-3, when it welcomes nationally-ranked Texas. The Jayhawks and No. 16/15 Longhorns will play Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturday at noon at Arrocha Ballpark.