April 16, 2006

Jayhawks Complete Sweep of Red Raiders, 3-2

April 16, 2006

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Kansas softball used 11 hits to defeat Texas Tech, 3-2, and complete the Big 12 Conference series sweep Easter Sunday at Arrocha Ballpark. With the victory, the Jayhawks improved to 23-20 overall and tied the Red Raiders (18-26) with a 4-6 league record.

Nicole Washburn led the KU offense and tied a career-high with three hits. Starting pitcher Kassie Humphreys (11-13) struck out eight, allowed just three hits and walked one to earn her second complete-game victory of the series.

The Texas Tech offense got off to a hot start, scoring two runs in the top of the first. With one out, Montana Patin was hit by pitch, Jennifer Bowers reached on a fielder’s choice and Patin advanced to second on a throwing error by Washburn. Jennifer Corkin singled to right to score Patin and Brandy Moulin grounded out to Destiny Frankenstein to score Bowers, giving the Red Raiders an early 2-0 lead.

The Jayhawks came out swinging in the bottom half of the inning. Val Chapple walked to lead off and Washburn singled to left field. With two outs, Frankenstein doubled to left to score Washburn and put KU on the board, 2-1.

Ashley Goodrich doubled to right center to start off the bottom of the second and Humphreys moved her to third with a sacrifice bunt. Betsy Wilson, who finished 2-for-3 on the day, singled up the middle to score Goodrich and tie the game.

The Jayhawks scored their winning run off three hits in the bottom of the fourth. Chapple reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second and was driven in by Washburn’s single to left. Humphreys struck out five and allowed one hit in the last three innings to secure the KU win.

Humphreys, the reigning Big 12 Pitcher of the Week, has given up just four earned runs in her last 10 games and holds a team-best 1.31 ERA this season.

Tech starter Julie Hauck gave up four hits, fanned one batter and walked one in one and one-third innings while Erin Crawford (11-12) allowed seven hits, struck out four and walked none in four and two-thirds innings to take the loss. Despite its 11 hits, KU stranded nine on base in the win.

To hear head coach Tracy Bunge’s postgame message, call 785-864-8086.

KU continues its seven-game home stretch Wednesday (April 19) against Border Showdown rival Missouri at 5 p.m. The game will be shown on MetroSports and broadcast live on KLWN 1320 AM.

-KU-