Oklahoma Defeats KU 5-0, Jayhawks Knocked Out of Tournament
May 11, 2007
OKLAHOMA CITY –
After an hour rain delay, <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Kansas and Oklahoma were able to renew their rivalry in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament. Oklahoma (49-6) eliminated the Jayhawks 5-0 from the 2007 Big 12 Tournament behind OU pitcher Lauren Eckermann’s one hitter. Kansas defeated IowaState 2-1 in eight innings earlier in the afternoon.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Game Two- KU 0 OU 8
Oklahoma jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Savannah Ricketts single to left field began the inning and Jamie Fox walked to put runners in scoring position. Lindsey Vandever’s double down the left field line scored pinch-runner Iver McDonald and Fox. Norrelle Dickson reached on a throwing error by sophomore Stevie Crisosto, scoring Vandever from third on the two-out slapper.
Amber Flores hit her eighth home run of the season in the bottom of the fifth inning. The solo home over the left field wall gave OU a 4-0 lead. Ricketts singled to shortstop and then scored off an error by Val Chapple later in the inning to give Oklahoma a five lead advantage.
Senior Kassie Humphreys (19-14) started the game for Kansas, hurling four and two-third innings allowing five runs on five hits. She struck out three batters while giving up only three earned runs. Humphreys threw 107 pitches in the victory over IowaState and 105 pitches in the loss to Oklahoma. Sophomore Valerie George relieved Humphreys. George threw one and one third shutout innings while giving up only one hit.
Eckermann (31-3) threw a complete game for Oklahoma. She struck out six Jayhawks while giving up zero runs on one hit.
Sophomore Dougie McCaulley broke up Eckermann’s no-hitter in the sixth inning with a single to left field. Freshman Amanda Jobe reached base for the third time in the game, but the Sooners got out of a jam when Eckermann struck out Crisosto.
Game One- KU 2 ISU 1 (8 Innings)
Kansas skated past IowaState (24-40) 2-1 in eight innings Friday afternoon in Oklahoma City. Humphreys led KU offensively and in the circle. She was 2-for-4 with two RBI’s and threw a complete game one-hitter.
Freshman designated player Alex Johnson began the scoring in the top of the fourth inning with a lead-off solo home run to center field. It was the All-Big 12 Second Team selection’s team-leading sixth home run of the season.
Kansas responded in the bottom half of the fourth inning with two doubles to right center. Jobe lead-off the inning with a rope to right center. Three batters later, Humphreys hit a ball on a similar path to right center bringing Jobe home to knot the score at one run.
Kansas threatened in the sixth inning loading the bases, but IowaState’s pitcher, Alyssa Ransom, forced a ground out by Crisosto. In the inning, freshman Sara Ramirez and senior Nicole Washburn recorded hits and Jobe was hit by a pitch.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Crisosto hit a two out double to right center. Crisosto took third on a wild pitch and Elle Pottorf earned a walk. Humphreys then singled through the right side to bring in the winning run and give the Jayhawks the 2-1 extra inning victory.
Humphreys (19-14) threw eight innings allowing one run on one hit. She struck out seven Cyclones while walking two Humphreys also passed Kara Pierce for fourth place all-time among Kansas pitchers for appearances with 135.
Ransom (12-18) pitched a complete game as well, allowing two runs on eight hits. She fanned three Jayhawks and walked one.
Kansas will now await the decision of the NCAA selection committee on Sunday, May 13. The committee will select 64 teams from around the country for postseason play.
-KU-
