Jayhawks Welcome Oklahoma State To Arrocha Ballpark

April 25, 2008

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Game Notes

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Fresh off a pair of nonconference sweeps, Kansas softball returns to Big 12 conference action this weekend, April 26-27, as they host OklahomaState in a two-game series. Saturday’s contest is scheduled for 2 p.m., while Sunday’s finale will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday is Bark In the Park at Arrocha Ballpark and Sunday is club softball day. Kansas will also be holding its annual softball alumni weekend.

About Kansas

The Jayhawks are coming off their second-straight sweep after defeating WichitaState in the first night game ever at Arrocha Ballpark on Thursday night in a doubleheader as they improved to 34-15 on the season (4-8 Big 12). The last two series, freshman Brittany Hile has led the team with a .455 average (5-for-11) and is riding the team’s longest hitting streak at four games. Senior Addy Lucero is not far behind, hitting .444 in the last week and matching Hile’s .500 on-base percentage. Junior Dougie McCaulley paces the team with a .396 average for the season. Junior Val Chapple (.301 average) has driven in 30 runs for the Jayhawks, five in the last four games, and has stolen a team-high 12 bases. The three-man Kansas bullpen has a combined 2.43 ERA and is limiting batters to just .226. Junior hurler Val George has seen the most time from the circle tossing 149.2 innings with 163 strikeouts. She is 17-7 on the year with a 1.82 ERA, seventh in the Big 12. Sophomore Sarah Vertelka has gone 10-5 in 17 starts. She has a 2.54 ERA, while freshman Allie Clark is 7-3 with a 3.43 earned run average.

Series History

The Kansas-OklahomaState series dates back to 1978 with the Cowgirls holding a 56-36 advantage. OSU swept last year’s series in Stillwater but the teams have split their last three meetings in Lawrence.

Team Notables

– For the 11th time this season, multiple Jayhawks have hit home runs in the same game. Stevie Crisosto and Liz Kocon each sent a pitch out of the park on April 26 versus WSU.

– With its 34th win of the season in game two against WichitaState, KU eclipsed its total number of wins from 2007.

– Kansas has not been held scoreless at home this season and has at least one RBI in every contest but one at Arrocha Ballpark in 2008.

Weekend Promotions

Alumni Weekend

Kansas softball will host its annual KU softball alumni weekend this Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27, as the Jayhawks take on conference opponent OklahomaState. The honoring of the 1983, 1985 and 1986 teams inducted into the Booth Family Hall of Athletics by the athletic department earlier this spring will highlight the weekend. Listed below is a schedule of events for this weekend.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

7:30 a.m. – Golf Outing at Eagle Bend

2:00 p.m. – Kansas vs. OklahomaState

4:30 p.m. – Tailgate social with current KU team

5:00 p.m. – Slowpitch Alumni Softball Game at Arrocha Ballpark

7:30 p.m. – Evening social at Johnny’s Tavern

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Noon – Kansas vs. OklahomaState

Bark In the Park

For the third year in a row, Kansas softball will hold its annual Bark in the Park Saturday at its 2 p.m. game versus OklahomaState. Fans are encouraged to bring their dogs out to enjoy a day at the ballpark. Dogs will be admitted with a donation to benefit the Lawrence Humane Society and volunteers from the Lawrence Humane Society will be on hand with dogs currently available for adoption. In addition, fans in attendance will have the chance to enter a free drawing for a $100 gift certificate to Pet World. Bark in the Park flying discs will be distributed after the game. All dog handlers will be required to sign a waiver and an agreement to participate.

First Night Game

Kansas softball made history April 26 when they hosted WichitaState in KU’s first night game ever at Arrocha Ballpark. KU earned a 2-0 all-time record in night games played at Arrocha, shutting out the Shockers 8-0 and 4-0.

One-Hit Ball

On April 24, Allie Clark pitched five innings of one-hit ball, while Val George tossed the final two innings in hitless relief during a 7-0 shutout at UMKC. It marked the fewest hits allowed by a KU opponent this season and fewest since holding IowaState to one hit on May 11, 2007, during the Big 12 Tournament. The very next game, the pair achieved another one-hitter, this time reversing roles as George threw five innings of one-hit ball and Clark concluded the game with an inning of hitless relief. It was the first time KU has held opponents to one hit in back-to-back games since 2006 when the Jayhawks kept UMKC and OklahomaState to a single hit on March 28 and April 1, respectively.

Up Next

Kansas will make a trip to Omaha, Neb., April 30 for its final regular-season Big 12 Conference games. Wednesday’s twinbill begins at 3 p.m. From there, the Jayhawks return to Arrocha Ballpark, May 3-4, for its final series of the 2008 regular season. KU will host IowaState at 1 p.m. Saturday and noon on Sunday. The following weekend Kansas will participate in the Big 12 Championship in Oklahoma City.