Jayhawk Softball Team Falls in Championship Round

May 20, 2006

Photo Gallery

PROVO, Utah – The Kansas softball team was defeated by Washington, 3-0, Saturday afternoon in the championship round of the 2006 NCAA Regional tournament at Gail Miller Field. With the loss, the Jayhawks end the 2006 season with an overall record of 36-26.

Despite allowing baserunners in four of the first five innings of the game, KU starter Kassie Humphreys (19-17) held the Huskies scoreless until the final inning of the game. Humphreys, who earned both of KU’s wins in the tournament, finished the contest with five strikeouts. She allowed eight hits and six walks in the game.

UW starter Danielle Lawrie (23-14) allowed just one Jayhawk base hit – a Destiny Frankenstein single — through the first 4.1 innings of the game. The right-hander retired the side in order in the first, third, fourth and sixth innings. Senior right fielder Heather Stanley picked up KU’s only other hit in the fifth inning.

The Huskies squandered away an early scoring opportunity in the top of the second as Humphreys walked the leadoff batter and allowed a single up the middle to the second hitter of the inning. After a sac bunt moved runners to second and third with one out, KU third baseman Val Chapple was interfered with trying to track down a pop foul near the dugout. The UW baserunner was called out by the umpiring crew and Humphreys coaxed batter Lauren Greer into an inning ending popout in shallow right field.

Humphreys escaped damage again in the top of the fifth, despite allowing three singles, when left fielder Nettie Fierros gunned down Greer trying to score from second base on a base hit off the bat of Ashley Minor.

BYU scored the only runs of the game in the seventh as the first four batters of the inning reached on two singles, a walk and a double. Humphries retired the next three batters to limit the damage.

With one out in the seventh, Frankenstein walked to reach base for the second time in the contest but was unable to advance past first base as Lawrie recorded a strikeout and a popout to seal the victory.

Humphries, Stanley and Frankenstein were each named to the All-Provo Regional team.

Game Notes – Kassie Humphreys made 44 appearances during the 2006 season – tying head coach Tracy Bunge for 6th place on KU’s single-season list … Humphreys recorded 262 strikeouts during the year – the 3rd best total in KU single-season history … Serena Settlemier set a KU record with 61 RBIs and 22 home runs during the season.