Drake Downs Kansas Softball

April 23, 2009

Box Score

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Despite senior Val Chapple’s home run in the sixth inning, Kansas softball could not overcome an early deficit as the Jayhawks suffered a 7-1 setback to Drake Thursday evening.

The loss dropped Kansas to 17-27 on the season and improved the Bulldogs to an overall record of 27-18.

Drake scored five of its seven runs in the first two innings on four hits and four untimely errors by KU.

Drake held the Jayhawks to just one hit through the first five innings, but the Jayhawks notched a run in the bottom of the sixth off Chapple’s third home run of the season. Chapple’s homer ties her with teammate Ellie Pottorf for sixth all time at KU with 17 career home runs.

Kansas squandered a chance to score in the fourth inning after Amanda Jobe led off with a base on balls. One out and two wild pitches later, Jobe sat on third waiting for a hit to bring her home but a strikeout and pop up ended the frame.

Allie Clark provided the only other Kansas hit with a second inning single.

Despite a rather poor defensive outing, senior Dougie McCaulley provided a bright spot in the KU outfield. The center fielder made an ESPN-worthy catch in the third inning, diving head first and barely catching the ball in time to come up with snag.

Senior pitcher Val George threw all seven innings resulting in a loss, but her complete game performance ties her for tenth all time on KU’s complete game list with 35.

Kansas softball returns to Big 12 play this weekend, April 25-26, when it hosts Baylor at Arrocha Ballpark. KU and the Bears will begin the series on Saturday at 2 p.m. and conclude the weekend on Sunday in a noon contest. Sunday is also senior day for Val Chapple, Stevie Crisosto, Val George, Ellie Pottorf and Dougie McCaulley, who will all be honored in a brief ceremony following the game.