Jayhawks Shutout Cowgirls, 6-0
April 27, 2008
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LAWRENCE, Kan. – A combination of smart base running and four Oklahoma State errors helped Kansas Softball earn a 6-0 victory over the Cowgirls here Sunday afternoon to split the series.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Kansas improves to 35-16 overall and 5-9 in the Big 12, while OSU drops to 25-23 and an even 8-8 in league play.
Junior Valerie George pitched a complete game shutout, and only allowed five OklahomaState hits. George struck out five and only walked one batter. She was also the beneficiary of many outstanding defensive plays in the game, that led to eight stranded Cowgirls on base.
The Jayhawks drew first blood in the bottom of the third with the help of two hits and three OSU errors. Dougie McCaulley brought around the first run with a single to score Sara Ramirez, who reached base on a throwing error to start the inning. Val Chapple next took first with a fielder’s choice. Amanda Jobe in the meantime beat the throw home to put KU up 2-0. Liz Kocon stepped up next and cleared the bases with a single to center field bringing home both McCaulley and Chapple. Betsy Wilson helped the Jayhawks score one last run in the frame with a fielder’s choice. Upon reaching first she rounded the bag and kept on towards second. While the Cowgirls were busy trying to run down Wilson, Brittany Hile crossed home plate unnoticed, 5-0 Jayhawks.
Jobe tacked on one more run for Kansas, her second of the day, in the bottom of the fifth inning. After reaching on a single up the middle, Jobe advanced two bases on a wild pitch and groundout. A passed ball finally led to the run.
George suppress a scoring opportunity for OSU in the second inning. The Cowgirls loaded the bases with a walk, a single and a hit batter but OSU’s next hitter watched George send strike three over the plate to end the inning and strand three base runners.
Kansas will return to the softball diamond Wednesday, April 30 when they make their final road trip of the regular season to Nebraska. The twinbill is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.
