Cyclones Edge Softball, 2-1

May 3, 2008

Box Score

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Despite pitcher Val George’s best efforts from the circle, <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>IowaState edged Kansas, 2-1, in Saturday’s softball action at Arrocha Ballpark.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

The Jayhawks, who were out-hit by the Cyclones 8-3, fell to 36-18 on the season and 6-11 in Big 12 games, while IowaState improved to just over .500 on the season at 28-27 and a 4-13 mark in the league.

George fanned six batters and walked just one in her fifteenth complete game of the season and third consecutive.

The Jayhawks jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Freshman Liz Kocon led off the frame with a double that bounced off the left center wall and later advanced to third on a wild pitch. Two batters later, sophomore Amanda Jobe took base on balls. During Addy Lucero’s at-bat, Jobe attempted to steal second but was chased back to first on the throw down to second. She was eventually tagged out back at first, but not before Kocon was able to steal home, unnoticed, during the play.

After a scoreless third inning for both teams, IowaState’s Alex Johnson lined a leadoff home run just over the left field fence tying the game at one-all. The Cyclones took the lead in the very next inning on a pair of singles and sacrifice bunts to plate a run. Junior shortstop Stevie Crisosto prevented anymore damage from the Cyclones making a catch over her shoulder to end the inning.

Kansas had a promising opportunity to put another run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth when Kocon roped her second double of the game to right field. Brittany Hile was next in the lineup and took base on balls but the push came too late as there were two outs in the inning and strikeout by Betsy Wilson ended the inning.

Sophomore Amanda Jobe was the only other Jayhawk to tally a hit in the game, a single through the right side in the bottom of the seventh.

The Jayhawks and Cyclones will wrap up the series Sunday at noon at Arrocha Ballpark. Seniors Amy Farrow, Addy Lucero, Sara Sidebottom and Betsy Wilson will be honored in a brief ceremony following the contest.