Jayhawk Softball Kicks Off Fall Season Against Johnson County

Sept. 28, 2011

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Several weeks of individual workouts followed by the first week of team practices will finally result in the University of Kansas softball team taking the field at Arrocha Ballpark in the Jayhawks’ first game of the fall slate, Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Kansas will host Johnson County Community College in the first of six games the Jayhawks have scheduled for the fall exhibition season. All six games will take place at home.

The Jayhawks, who posted a 31-22 record in 2011, will face the Cavaliers following a 29-27 season a year ago.

“It is going to be exciting to see our team competing tonight,” head coach Megan Smith said. “We have had a good first week of team practices and the girls have been working hard. They are anxious to put everything we have practiced into a live situation.

Kansas returns 12 letterwinners from last year’s squad and welcomes seven newcomers, which include six freshmen and one transfer. Junior outfielder Maggie Hull highlights the list of returners after being named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Regional Second Team last season. Fellow All-Region honoree Brittany Hile graduated last season after a highly-decorated career as a Jayhawk, but joins the staff as a student assistant coach in the fall and a volunteer assistant in the spring.

Additionally, Smith said she has six pitchers she will evaluate this fall to accompany a lineup that cranked out 60 homeruns last season.

“The seven newcomers have stepped in and immediately started making an impact,” Smith said. “It will be a special night for them playing for the first time as a Jayhawk.”

UP NEXT
Kansas continues the fall slate when the Jayhawks host the KU Fall Invite on Oct. 2. They will face area schools Washburn at 1 p.m. and Butler County Community College at 3 p.m. during the Saturday-only tournament.