Cyclones Defeat KU Softball In Regular Season Finale

May 3, 2009

Box Score

AMES, Iowa –

Sophomore Liz Kocon recorded her ninth home run of the season while senior Val Chapple and sophomore Sara Ramirez each tallied multiple hits but it was not enough to overcome Iowa State as the Cyclones defeated the Kansas softball team 3-1 Sunday afternoon to complete the series sweep in both team’s regular season finale. ISU won 7-2 a day earlier.

KU wrapped up the regular season 21-30 overall and 6-11 in Big 12 play, while the Cyclones improved to 25-28 for the year and 7-11 during conference play.

A two-run homer in the third inning gave the Cyclones a 2-0 lead but in the Jayhawks next at bat, Kocon cut the lead to one with her ninth home run of the season, a solo shot to center field. It was also her second consecutive game with a homer and fifth round-tripper in the last six contests.

Iowa State quickly scored again adding another run in the bottom of the fourth inning with an RBI single to make the score 3-1.

The Cyclones’ Lauren Kennewell limited KU to just two hits in the final three innings of the game to earn her first win of the season.

Kansas tallied six hits in the contest and stranded 10 runners, including six in scoring position. Chapple and Ramirez each had two hits. Ramirez now has seven hits in her last six games.

Junior Sarah Vertelka tossed the first four and one third innings for the Jayhawks and fell to 9-10 on the year allowing eight hits and striking out two. Senior Val George entered for Vertelka in the fifth inning to pitch the final one and two thirds innings of the contest. She gave up two hits and fanned three batters in relief.

The Jayhawks will have a week to prepare for the Big 12 Softball Championship in Oklahoma City, May 8-10. Kansas will play in the play-in game on Friday, time and opponent to be determined based on Sunday’s results around the conference.