#23 Oklahoma Sweeps KU, 2-0 and 4-1
April 30, 2006
NORMAN, Okla. –
The 23rd-ranked Oklahoma Sooners used 15 hits to take a Big 12 Conference series from Kansas, 2-0 and 4-1, Sunday afternoon at the OU Softball Complex. With the doubleheader loss, the Jayhawks moved to 27-24 overall and 6-10 in league play while OU improved to 32-18-1 and 8-10.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
KU’s offensive highlight of the day came from Destiny Frankenstein, who notched a solo home run, her 10th of the season, in Game Two’s bottom of the seventh.
Serena Settlemier held the Sooners scoreless in Game One until OU put a run on the board in the bottom of the fifth off two hits and an error.
KU had a chance to score in the top of the six, but a solid play by the Sooner defense kept the Jayhawks off the board. Settlemier walked to lead off and was replaced by pinch runner Ashley Goodrich. Frankenstein reached on a fielder’s choice and Stevie Crisosto flew out to deep left, allowing Goodrich to move to third.
Rounding third, Goodrich attempted to score but was thrown out, right field to center to catcher, for the third out of the inning.
Despite a KU rally in the top of the seventh, a similar play at home ended the game. Heather Stanley and Nettie Fierros singled to lead off and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Betsy Wilson. Val Chapple walked to load the bases and Nicole Washburn hit a deep ball to right, giving Stanley the chance to score from third. Stanley was tagged out, center field to catcher to end the game.
Settlemier (15-6) gave up seven hits, struck out three and walked one (one earned run) in six innings to take the loss. Fierros had two of the Jayhawks’ four hits in the first game. KU stranded eight on base while OU left six runners on.
OU rookie D.J. Mathis (11-6) allowed all four hits, fanned seven batters and walked two in the complete-game victory. Amber Spaulding and Mariee Mena were 2-for-3 to lead the Sooner offense.
The Sooners used three hits in the bottom of the second inning to take a 1-0 lead in Game Two. Norrelle Dickson scored Susan Ogden (base hit) from third on an infield slap single to give OU the early lead.
OU scored three insurance runs off four hits and a Jayhawk error in the bottom of the fifth before Frankenstein’s solo shot in the top of the seventh, 4-1.
Kassie Humphreys (12-16) allowed eight hits, struck out four and walked one (all four runs earned) in six innings to take the loss. OU’s Nicole Denes (9-5) gave up just three hits, fanned six and walked none in the seven-inning win.
The Jayhawks return home to close out their non-conference season Wednesday with a doubleheader against Wichita State. First pitch at Arrocha Ballpark is set for 3 p.m.
-KU-
