Softball Concludes Season With Banquet

May 13, 2007

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Kansas ended its 2007 softball season Sunday afternoon at a banquet in the Naismith room at Allen Fieldhouse. Head coach Tracy Bunge passed out five awards and thanked the supporters of Jayhawk softball. Senior Kassie Humphreys was named the team’s Most Valuable Player.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

Humphreys, a Glendale, Ariz. native was Kansas’ ace pitcher and one of the team’s most powerful hitters. Humphreys was named to the Big 12 All-Tournament team, and the All-Big 12 Second Team by the coaches this season. Her special play will be remembered in the record books, as her name is near the top of every pitching record in the KU record books.

Freshman Sara Ramirez won the Jayhawk Pride award. Ramirez, a Pacoima, Calif. native, won the award for displaying the spirit of a great Jayhawk teammate. Ramirez started every game this season at second base and was second on the team with six home runs.

The Most Improved Player award was given to sophomore Dougie McCaulley. McCaulley, a junior college transfer from Odessa JC, started every game this year as the team’s leadoff batter. McCaulley was second on the team with 51 hits and committed only two errors this season.

Freshman Amanda Jobe was named the team’s Offensive Player of the Year. The lefty led the team with 30 walks and a .425 on base percentage. Jobe also finished second on the team with a .453 slugging percentage.

The Defensive Player of the Year award was given to sophomore Val Chapple. Chapple started every game this season at third base and was the team’s steadiest infielder. Chapple committed only eight errors in 179 opportunities.

Not announced at the banquet was sophomore Stevie Crisosto’s nomination to the Waco Tribune-Herald’s All-Big 12 Second Team. The sophomore led the Jayhawks with a .302 batting average and finished the season with 11 doubles.

Kansas was not selected for postseason play this season. Check back later in the week for a 2007 recap.

-KU-