Softball Opens Season in Impressive Fashion

Sept. 25, 2007

LAWRENCE, Kan. —

Taking the field for the first time this season, the University of Kansas softball team rolled over two opponents at the KU Triangular Tournament last weekend, winning games against Butler County and Missouri Southern.

The event opened with a 9-0 Jayhawk win over BCC on Saturday morning. KU plated two in the first inning, five in the second, and two more in the third to put the contest out of reach early. Freshman Allison Clark and junior Valerie George combined for the shutout, yielding just two hits while striking out six.

Next up for KU was Missouri Southern, where the Jayhawks again jumped to a comanding early lead en route to a 5-0 victory. Sophomore pitcher Sarah Vertelka turned in an impressive performance, allowing just three hits to go along with eight punchouts.

Kansas closed out the weekend with a 5-3 scrimmage win over Missouri Western on Sunday. KU trailed much of the game until a three-run fourth propelled the squad to its third victory of the event.

“From our end, the coaching staff was very pleased with the way the team played the first weekend out,” head coach Tracy Bunge said following her team’s perfect start. “We had a very different look to the offensive lineup compared to last year that really helped utilize the girls’ strengths.”

“The freshmen all stepped up and showed some really good things. The upper classmen picked up where they left off last year offensively and especially defensively.”

KU will next be in action when it hosts the Jayhawk Pink Classic next weekend. Iowa Central, Emporia State and Washburn round out the field.