Kansas Upsets No. 13/11 Oklahoma 4-2
April 11, 2009
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Kansas softball upset No. 13/11 Oklahoma 4-2 Saturday afternoon at Arrocha Ballpark to earn the series split. Kansas used a three-run second inning to notch its first victory over the Sooners since April 28, 2007, and fifth win over a ranked opponent this season.
With the victory, Kansas (14-23, 4-6) has now earned four-straight conference series splits. Oklahoma fell to 31-13 and 8-4 in the Big 12 with the loss.
A day after being shutout by Oklahoma, it only took one inning for the Jayhawks to cross home plate. Junior Dougie McCaulley led off with a single to the left side of the infield. Senior Val Chapple’s sacrifice bunt on the next at-bat moved McCaulley to second. McCaulley would then steal third base. Sophomore Liz Kocon was hit by a D.J. Mathis pitch to reach base. Kocon would then steal second, but an errant throw by Oklahoma catcher Lindsey Vandever gave McCaulley the opportunity to cross home plate for the game’s first score.
KU had more scoring success in the second inning, scoring three runs on four hits. Amanda Jobe and Stevie Crisosto both singled to lead off the inning. Following a walk of Brittany Hile, Sara Ramirez stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and no outs. Ramirez delivered with a single to the shortstop that scored Jobe. Mathis forced McCaulley and Chapple into ground outs that resulted in two force outs at the plate. However, Elle Pottorf would double down the left field line to score both Ramirez and McCaulley and give the Jayhawks a 4-0 lead after two innings.
Oklahoma scored for the first time in the top of the fourth inning when Samantha Ricketts homered to make the score 4-1. It was the first hit given up by Jayhawk pitcher Val George.
OU closed the Jayhawk lead to two runs in the fifth inning when Krystle Huey tripled to left center. Huey scored as the next batter, Haley Anderson, singled to left field.
Oklahoma loaded the bases in the seventh inning with only one out, but George struck out the final two batters to preserve the Jayhawk victory.
For the game, George (9-11) threw all seven innings, striking out seven, walking only two, and allowing only two runs on six hits. It marked her fourth win over a top 25 foe this year. Oklahoma’s Mathis (10-4) threw only two innings in which she allowed four runs, three of which were earned, on six hits. In relief, Allee Allen threw four no-hit innings and struck out six.
The Jayhawks raised over $1,700 for Lawrence Memorial Hospital and the KU Cancer Center during their game. Donations will still be accepted through next week. Fans can download a donation form at www.kuathletics.com on the KU softball homepage.
Kansas will conclude its six-game home stand with a Tuesday evening doubleheader against the UMKC Kangaroos. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Arrocha ballpark.
