Jayhawks Defeat Cyclones, 3-0, On Senior Day

May 7, 2006

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Lawrence, Kan. –

Seniors Heather Stanley and Destiny Frankenstein notched two hits apiece to lead Kansas to a 3-0 Senior Day victory over Iowa State Sunday afternoon at Arrocha Ballpark. With the win, the Jayhawks earned the Big 12 Conference series sweep and finished their regular season 30-24 overall and 8-10 in league action.

KU finished Big 12 play in a tie for fifth with Oklahoma (35-18-1, 8-10) and will be seeded sixth in the 2006 Big 12 Softball Championship. The Jayhawks will face third-seeded Baylor Thursday at 11 a.m. at the ASA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.

The Jayhawks, starting all six seniors, scored their first run of the day in the bottom of the third. Stanley led off with a single to left and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Val Chapple. Serena Settlemier reached on a fielding error by ISU’s Jennifer Bigbee that allowed Stanley to score from second and give KU a 1-0 advantage.

KU added to its lead in the fourth with three hits and two runs. Nettie Fierros walked to lead off the inning and advanced to second after tagging up on a foul out. Nicole Washburn grounded out to first base and Fierros advanced to third before Stanley singled to right field for the first RBI of the game. Chapple singled to right center and moved Stanley to third and Stevie Crisosto notched a base hit to left to score Stanley and put KU up, 3-0.

Settlemier (16-6) was solid in the circle for KU, allowing just three hits, striking out eight and walking none for the complete-game shutout. On the season, Settlemier ranks second in the Big 12 with a 1.21 ERA, including a 0.83 mark in league games.

Cyclone starter Amie Ford (10-12) gave up five hits, struck out three and walked one in three and two-thirds innings (two earned runs) to take the loss. Alyssa Ransom allowed three hits, fanned two Jayhawks and walked none in the final two and one-third innings of relief.

The KU defense was errorless and picked up an impressive double play in the top of the fifth inning when Fierros made a diving catch in left field and then threw out the runner at second. The Cyclones committed one error on the day and stranded just two on base in the loss.

Prior to the game, KU honored the accomplishments of six seniors — Frankenstein, Settlemier, Stanley, Fierros, Ashley Goodrich and Jessica Moppin — in their final appearance at Arrocha Ballpark.

-KU-