Kocon's Grand Slam Helps Lift Jayhawks Over Baylor, 6-1
April 5, 2008
WACO, Texas –
After junior Dougie McCaulley hit into a fielder’s choice to score Betsy Wilson and break a one-all tie in the top of the seventh, freshman Liz Kocon crushed a grand slam over the right field fence to seal Kansas softball’s (29-9, 3-2 Big 12) 6-1 victory over Baylor (19-13, 2-6 Big 12) here Saturday afternoon.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
In the seventh inning, <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Wilson walked to take first base and then advanced two bases on a double from junior Stevie Crisosto. McCaulley followed with a hit back to the first baseman who threw the ball home in an attempt to tag out Wilson, but Baylor’s catcher could not hold onto the ball as Wilson was ruled safe giving the Jayhawks a 2-1 edge. One out later, Val Chapple was intentionally walked to load the bases and give the Bears a force out at every bag. Kocon then connected for a two-out, full count grand slam, her third round-tripper of the year.
Kansas pitcher Val George was able to work out of a jam in the Bear’s final at-bat. The Jayhawks committed two errors to put the first two runners on. George proceeded to fan Baylor’s next hitter and forced a ground out and pop-up for the final two outs of the game. George struckout five batters in the contest and gave up just one run, unearned, despite eight hits for the Baylor lineup.
The Jayhawks put their first run on the board in the opening frame when Chapple hit an RBI single to centerfield scoring McCaulley. Baylor tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the second on a sacrifice fly.
Seven Jayhawks combined for 10 hits, while Baylor had eight and stranded 12 base runners.
Kansas and Baylor will return to the diamond Sunday afternoon for a noon contest.
