Softball hosts Iowa State on Senior Day weekend

Kansas softball plays host to Iowa State in the final three games of the regular season this weekend at Arrocha Ballpark at Rock Chalk Park.

The three-game series begins on Friday at 5 p.m., with Star Wars Day, followed by Saturday’s Senior Day at 2 p.m., and Sunday’s regular-season finale at noon. All games can be heard on the Jayhawk Radio Network via KUAthletics.com/radio.

The Jayhawks (25-24, 0-15 Big 12) and Cyclones (22-28, 3-12) will compete for the sixth and final spot in the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship in Oklahoma City next weekend, May 11-12. KU needs a series sweep of ISU in order to advance to the Big 12’s postseason tournament, which is now in its second year removed from a six-year hiatus from 2011 to 2016.

This weekend also marks the end of an era as KU will bid farewell to a special group of eight seniors on Saturday during Senior Day festivities. All of the eight Jayhawks who will be honored on Senior Day will be graduating at KU’s commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 13.

The class includes Harli Ridling, Erin McGinley, Jessie Roane, Mikayla Warren, Amanda Organ, Sarah Miller, Annie Mehringer and Andie Formby. Formby, a redshirt junior athletically, has decided to forgo her final year of athletic eligibility after graduating next week.

In the last four years, Kansas softball has totaled 120 wins, won the most games in a season in over two decades (40 wins in 2015 is the most since 45 in 1992), defeated a top-25 opponent in three-straight seasons, and advanced to the 2015 NCAA Regionals.

Aside from fifth-year senior Ridling, this class is the first to play all their home games at the new Arrocha Ballpark at Rock Chalk Park, which opened in 2015. Ridling is the final Jayhawk to play on both the “old” Arrocha Ballpark on campus and the “new” Arrocha at Rock Chalk Park during her collegiate career.

LEADING OFF

• Kansas and Iowa State will complete for the final spot in the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship in the final series of the regular season this weekend in Lawrence. Kansas needs a three-game sweep to pass the Cyclones in the standings.
• Kansas has won 13 of the last 16 games against Iowa State, but last season the Cyclones swept the Jayhawks in the final series of the regular season in Ames. KU holds a 58-38 all-time series advantage over ISU, including a 33-19 advantage during Big 12 regular season play.
• The Jayhawks are looking to snap a 13-game losing streak after playing a stretch that included six-straight contests against top-25 teams.
• Through 49 games this season, the Jayhawks rank 17th in the nation in fielding percentage (.974).
• Senior infielder Jessie Roane leads KU with a .372 batting average and 14 doubles. Roane co-leads KU in RBIs (30) with freshman utility Tarin Travieso.
• Senior catcher Harli Ridling ranks third in career home runs (35) and third in career RBIs (142) at KU. This season, she is hitting .283 with 18 extra-base hits — seven home runs and 11 doubles.
• Junior pitcher Andie Formby (11-10) is the anchor of KU’s pitching staff with a 2.47 ERA, 14 complete games, three complete-game shutouts and 104 strikeouts.
• Kansas started the season 17-3 for its best 20-game start since 1996. The Jayhawks have a pair of winning streaks lasting at least five games this season.
• KU’s 12-inning loss to Colorado State on March 30 was the most innings KU has played in 25 years. During the game, junior utility Brynn Minor threw a Big 12 season high of 14 strikeouts.
• The 2018 Kansas softball campaign marks the 50th season overall and the ninth under head coach Megan Smith. Kansas has a 271-203 (.572) record during Smith’s tenure.

PROMOTIONS
Friday – Star Wars Day

• Star Wars koozie giveaway featuring Big Jay and Baby Jay
• Discounted admission ($5) for fans dressed in a Star Wars costume

Saturday – Senior Day

• Will recognize KU’s eight seniors throughout the day
• Special recognition with parents will be after the game
• Fun Zone

Sunday – Salute to Service

• Discounted admission ($5) with a military ID

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