Kansas Welcomes Drake for Mid-Week Twinbill

May 3, 2011

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Game Notes in PDF Format

With just three games remaining on the schedule, Kansas softball (31-22, 2-16 Big 12) will host Drake (32-18, 18-4 MVC) Thursday for a non-conference doubleheader at Arrocha Ballpark. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m.

Fans at the game will receive a free pair of Rock Chalk sunglasses, while the first 50 students in attendance can also get a free corndog and candy voucher.

The Jayhawks suffered a pair of setbacks to No. 21/22 Texas A&M last weekend to halt a three-game winning streak and give KU a final Big 12 Conference record of 2-16. Sophomore Maggie Hull launched a home run in Saturday’s game, improving Kansas’ record-setting home run tally to 60 so far this season. Hull leads the Jayhawks in batting average (.346), runs (39), hits (53), doubles (14) and RBIs (49) and already ranks in the top 10 of KU’s single-season record lists for hits, doubles and RBIs. Junior Liz Kocon is next hitting .322 with a team-high 14 home runs, a mark that ties for 31st in the nation. Senior Brittany Hile (.315) ranks tied for 45th in the country with 13 homers.

The Jayhawk offense will be put to the test as it will face Bulldog pitcher Jenna DeLong. DeLong leads the Missouri Valley Conference with a 1.90 ERA and 214 strikeouts. She is 20-6 from the circle.

Pitcher Allie Clark has been Kansas’ top ace down the final stretch of the season. The senior hurler owns a 3.54 ERA over her last seven appearances with a 2-3 record. Sophomore Alex Jones has also excelled as of late despite seeing limited time from the circle earlier in the season. Jones has a team-best 1.37 ERA in six appearances over the last 12 games with a 2-2 mark.

KU is 29-6 in non-conference action this season and has won three of its last five games versus non-league foes.