Jayhawks Win Four Games in KU Invitational

Oct. 1, 2006

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Kansas softball posted a perfect 4-0 mark over the weekend to win the 2006 KU Fall Invitational Sunday at Arrocha Ballpark. With the victories over UMKC, Johnson County Community College and Emporia State, the Jayhawks improved to 7-1 in Fall Ball.

Senior pitcher Kassie Humphreys led KU in the circle with 21 strikeouts and held her foes hitless through 13 innings of work. Sophomore lead off-hitter Stephanie “Dougie” McCaulley totaled five hits and scored three runs in four games.

Saturday’s Results

KU 1, UMKC 0
After notching just two hits through the first six innings, the Jayhawks scored their winning run off three singles in the bottom of the sixth. McCaulley (2-for-3) led off with a single, junior Betsy Wilson reached on a bunt and redshirt sophomore Elle Pottorf picked up the RBI with a base hit to left center. Humphreys fanned eight Kangaroos and allowed no hits in the first four innings and sophomore Val George struck out six and gave up two hits in the final three frames.

KU 3, Emporia State 1
ESU got on the scoreboard in the first inning off two hits. McCaulley doubled to right center to lead off the bottom of the fourth for KU, moved to third on a bunt by Wilson and scored on sophomore Stevie Crisosto’s single. The Jayhawks scored their winning runs again in the sixth inning. Freshman Sara Ramirez was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by junior Addy Lucero and base hit by McCaulley. Wilson doubled to left center to score both runners and pick up two RBI. Rookie Sara Vertelka allowed all four UMKC hits and struck out three in the first five innings for the win while Humphreys fanned two in two innings of relief.

Sunday’s Results

KU 8, JCCC 0 (6)
The Jayhawks totaled 12 hits in six innings against the Cavaliers. Sophomore Val Chapple homered in the first and fourth innings for five RBI in two appearances at the plate and Crisosto and Pottorf were both 2-for-3. George fanned four batters, walked one and allowed two hits in five innings for the win and freshman Caitlin Kenney gave up four hits in one inning of relief.

KU 4, Emporia State 0
After scoring a run off two hits in the second, the Jayhawks sealed the win with three runs in the last two frames. Humphreys was credited with the complete-game no-hitter, fanning 11 and walking one in seven innings of work. Freshman Ally Stanton led KU at the plate with two hits, including a solo home run and two runs in three at-bats.

The Jayhawks wrap up Fall Ball Oct. 7-8 in the Big Red Fall Classic in Lincoln, Neb. KU will face host Nebraska, Creighton and Colorado State.

-KU-