KU Upsets No. 5 Sooners, 5-4
April 23, 2005
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Jessica Moppin notched a career-high four hits including the game-winner as the University of Kansas softball team upset No. 5 Oklahoma, 5-4, in nine innings Saturday at Arrocha Ballpark. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Moppin went 4-for-5 in the game with a home run and three RBI as the Jayhawks improved to 21-19 overall and 4-7 in the Big 12 Conference. With the loss, their third straight, the Sooners moved to 42-11 and 10-4 in league play.
Moppin put KU on the board in the bottom of the first with a two-run homer, her seventh of the season. Heather Stanley led off with a walk and Moppin’s blast gave the Jayhawks a 2-0 lead.
OU scored its first run of the day in the second inning. With no outs, Jamie Fox hit into a double play that allowed Heather Scaglione to score from third base.
Taly’r Hollis tied the game in the top of the seventh with a solo home run to right field.
Scaglione added a solo homer of her own in the top of the eighth to put OU on top. Enea reached on a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a hit up the middle by Alison Horne, giving OU the 4-2 lead.
Serena Settlemier tied the game in the bottom of the eighth with a two-run homer, her sixth of the season. Settlemier then came into pitch in the ninth and grounded out all three batters.
In the bottom of the ninth, Nicole Washburn led off with a single, moved to third on consecutive sacrifice bunts, and scored on a base hit up the middle by Moppin, 5-4.
Ross gave up nine hits, walked three and struck out three in seven innings. Settlemier (9-7) came into the tie and picked up the win.
The Jayhawk offense tied a season-high with 14 hits off three OU pitchers. Starter Kami Keiter gave up 11 hits, struck out eight and walked one. Stacy Braddock (7-5) gave up two hits and struck out one in 1.1 innings while Jadyn Smith faced just Moppin in the bottom of the ninth.
KU’s win over the Sooners marked its first victory over a top-five opponent since defeating No. 4 Nebraska, 3-2, on April 24, 2002. Settlemier was credited with the win.
“This was one of the best college softball games I have ever seen,” head coach Tracy Bunge said after the win. “I am extremely proud of this team and the way they battled today.”
KU and OU will wrap up the series at 1 p.m. Sunday at Arrocha Ballpark.
-KU-
