Inconsistent Play Dooms Jayhawks

May 2, 2007

Box Score

WICHITA, Kan. –

<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Wichita State (34-26, 16-8 MVC) swept Kansas, 1-0 and 6-4, on a soggy Wednesday night at Wilkins Stadium. Kansas (32-21-1, 7-9 Big 12) struggled offensively, garnering seven hits in two games. WichitaState recorded three home runs, and used solid pitching to earn the non-conference sweep. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

Game One- KU 0 WSU 1

Senior Kassie Humphreys (18-12) pitched a complete game three hitter, allowing one run, while striking out 10 Shockers. WichitaState’s Margo Pruis (21-11) was equally impressive, fanning 10 Jayhawks and allowing one hit to sophomore Dougie McCaulley.

Kansas stranded seven runners on base, including four on second. Sophomore Stevie Crisosto was the Jayhawks’ most productive offensive player, as she reached base in three plate appearances, despite not recording a hit.

Wichita State’s Britnee Barnett began the scoring with a solo home run over the right field wall in the bottom of the fourth inning. Barnett’s homer was the first hit surrendered by Humphreys.

Kansas was shut out for the first time since April 18 against Missouri. In addition, it was only the second time all year that Kansas did not record at least two hits.

Game Two- KU 4 WSU 6

The Shocker’s Stephanie DeLaRiva ripped a single into left field that scored pinch runner Lauren Coleman from second base to give WSU a 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the second inning. Kansas has failed to score first in five of its past six games.

Kansas’ offense exploded in the third inning, scoring four runs. Sophomore Val Chapple began the inning with a single to right and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from junior Betsy Wilson. McCaulley knocked one into left field, allowing Chapple to take third. After McCaulley stole second, senior Nicole Washburn ripped a grounder past the Shocker second baseman to score Chapple and McCaulley. One pitch later, freshman Amanda Jobe blasted a two-run home run to right center. Jobe’s homer was her fifth of the season, tying her for the fifth most home runs by a KU freshman in a season. In the inning, Kansas scored four runs on four hits.

Wichita State responded in the bottom of the third with a three-run home run from Ashly Bright. Bright, the starting Shocker pitcher, hit her third homer of the year to knot the score at four. Bright (9-10) threw a complete game, allowing four runs on six Jayhawk hits.

The Shockers scored the game’s final runs in the sixth inning when Cynthia Verhulst hit a two-run homer to left field to give WSU the decisive runs.

Sophomore Valerie George started the game for Kansas, going four innings, allowing four runs on six hits and striking out three. Humphreys (18-13) pitched two innings of relief, giving up two runs on two hits in the defeat.

Kansas will close out the regular season with a weekend double header against IowaState (22-39, 1-15 Big 12). The first game is scheduled for Saturday, May 5 at 2 p.m., with the regular-season finale set for Sunday, May 6 at Noon.

Check back later in the week for more information on the Kansas softball team at kuathletics.com.