Kansas Splits with No. 11/16 Texas
April 8, 2007
AUSTIN, Tex. –
Kansas (27-14-1, Big 12 3-4) split with nationally ranked Texas (28-10, Big 12 3-4), 2-0 and 2-3, Sunday afternoon at McCombs Field in Austin. KU received a strong performance from Kassie Humphreys, both in the circle and at bat. The senior pitched over 10 innings and was an integral part in helping the Jayhawks pick up their second win this season over a ranked opponent.
Game One – Kansas 2 No. 11/16 Texas 0
Sophomore Dougie McCaulley’s two-out second inning singleto left field scored senior Kassie Humphreys from third base to give Kansas the early lead. Humphreys reached base on a lined shot down the right field line. Humphreys advanced to third by a well executed sacrifice bunt from freshman Ally Stanton. The run was the 26th time this season the Jayhawks have scored first.
Kansas scored one more run in the seventh inning to extend its’ lead to 2-0. The scoring runner, McCaulley, was singled home from second base by sophomore Stevie Crisosto. The two runs scored by the Jayhawks are the most the team has scored against Texas since a 3-1 victory on May 2, 2004. It is also the first time in four games that the final score was not 1-0.
Humphreys (13-6) had an outstanding ballgame as she finished with two base hits, the same number she allowed to Texas as the game’s pitcher. Humphreys struck out 11 Longhorns in her complete game shutout effort. It was Humphreys best outing since March 11 against New Mexico when she struck out eight batters in seven innings of scoreless work.
The seven Jayhawk hits were the most in a game since the March 31 loss to Baylor. It was the first time in six games that KU shut out their opponent, the last being on March 28 at Missouri State. The victory over the No. 11/16 Longhorns was the highest ranked team KU has defeated since their victory over No. 2 Texas last year 1-0 on April 23 and the second ranked opponent they have beaten this year.
Game Two – Kansas 2 No. 11/16 Texas 3
Kansas struck first again in the second game as freshman Tracy Lubken beat the tag at home plate to give KU a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Lubken was a pinch-runner for Humphreys and reached second on an error by Texas third baseman Crystal Saenz. Crisosto’s base knock to left field brought Lubken home and gave her 16 RBI’s on the year, good for second best on the team.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Longhorn attack got on track, tallying three runs. The key play of the inning came off a Jacqueline Williams single to center field that scored two Texas runners and made the score 3-1. All three runs were unearned.
Stanton’s double down the left field line helped the Jayhawks cut the lead to one in the fifth inning. Stanton advanced to third off a McCaulley sacrifice hit and then scored off a throwing error by the Texas catcher.
Humphreys began game two as the starter and went three and two-third innings before handing the ball over to freshman Sarah Vertelka. Humphreys tacked on two more strikeouts to bring her day’s total to 13. Vertelka continued the strong `Hawk pitching by throwing two and one-third innings of scoreless work. The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. native struck out four Longhorns.
Kansas’ next ballgame will be Wednesday, April 11 at Missouri starting at 6 p.m. This will be the first of the two Border Showdown games. The second game will be a week later in Lawrence, beginning at 5 p.m.
