Softball Splits in Day One of Tourney
May 14, 2004
OKLAHOMA CITY – The University of Kansas split in Day One of the 2004 Big 12 Softball Tournament Wednesday at the ASA Softball Stadium. The seventh-seeded Jayhawks (32-27-1) defeated No. 10 seed Texas Tech (22-26) by a score of 5-1 before dropping a close 1-0 decision to No. 2 seed Texas A&M in Game Two.
In Game One, Kansas struck first with two runs in the bottom of the first. With one out, catcher Dani May singled up the middle and shortstop Destiny Frankenstein reached second on an error. With runners in scoring position, May scored on a wild pitch by Erin Crawford and Frankenstein advanced to third.
Center fielder Mel Wallach walked on a 4-0 count and first baseman Leah Mountain was hit by a pitch to load the bases. With two outs, second baseman Jessica Moppin was hit by another pitch, allowing Frankenstein to score (RBI) and give the ‘Hawks a 2-0 lead.
Texas Tech scored its first run in the top of the fourth. Ashley Parker reached second on an error by third baseman Sandy Smith to lead off and came around to score on a base hit by Alyssa Sigala. Kara Pierce retired the next two batters and KU held on to a 2-1 lead.
KU added a run in the fifth as left fielder Heather Stanley notched a one-out base hit and moved around to second on a fielder’s choice. Frankenstein then nailed a double to left center to score Stanley (RBI) and increase KU’s lead to two.
The ‘Hawks sealed the game with two runs on three hits in the sixth. Wallach doubled to right center to lead off the inning and was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Mountain. Moppin singled up the middle to score Wallach and Ashley Goodrich came in to pinch run. Goodrich stole second and third and came around to score on a throwing error.
Pierce (18-12) struck out three and allowed just two hits in the win. The KU offense notched seven hits off two TTU pitchers as Erin Crawford (10-15) took the loss.
The win over the Red Raiders was KU’s third of the season. Texas Tech last defeated KU 5-1 in elimination round play of the 2003 Big 12 Tournament.
In second round play, second-seeded Texas A&M jumped on the board with a run in the bottom of the first. Sharonda McDonald walked and stole second to lead off. McDonald advanced to third on a ground out and came around to score on a wild pitch by Pierce.
The KU offense could not produce a run as the defense remained errorless behind Pierce. Despite outhitting the No. 22-ranked Aggies 4-2, KU left five on base, including two in the top of the seventh.
Pierce struck out four and walked two in her second complete game of the day. Big 12 Pitcher of the Year Jessica Kapchinski (17-6) struck out seven and walked one in 7.0 innings.
The Jayhawks are now 0-3 against the Aggies this season.
KU will face the loser of the Missouri/Oklahoma State game (10 a.m.) at 2 p.m. Thursday. An 80 percent chance of rain is expected.
