Jayhawks Shutout Cowley, 10-0
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas softball kept its perfect streak intact with a 10-0 victory over Cowley County Community College on Tuesday night at Rock Chalk Park. Freshman Bryn Houlton and sophomore Sophia Templin combined for the shutout, while the Jayhawk offense came out swinging tallying another double-digit hit effort after recording 10 against the Tigers.
Halfway through Fall Ball, KU has outscored its opponents 45-2, while outhitting the opposition 59-15. Four Jayhawks recorded a multi-hit game in the fifth contest of the fall season. Seniors Maddie Stein and Chanin Naudin and sophomore Taylor McElhaney were perfect at the plate hitting 2-for-2, while junior Shannon McGinley also collected two hits after a 2-for-3 performance at the dish.
Kansas’ scored fast and often in the opening frame of the game. The Jayhawks jumped ahead to a commanding lead plating seven runs. McGinley opened the scoring frenzy with a RBI double to right field. Stein followed suit driving in another run with a double, while Naudin drove in two with a single to centerfield. McElhaney’s two-RBI single increased KU’s lead to 6-0 and Lily Behrmann brought in the final run of the inning with a base hit.
“That first inning we came out strong and 10-of-11 at-bats were quality at-bats to start the game,” said head coach Megan Smith. “They have a good pitcher that throws some good off-speed stuff, so I am glad we saw that today and now we know what to work on in the next couple of weeks.”
Houlton struck out the side in the second inning and sat down five batters in order before surrendering her third hit of the night. She fanned six batters in four innings of work and recorded the win her third appearance in the circle. Templin took over in the final inning and retired the side via strikeout.
“We want to see Bryn out there as much as we can and she still has some adjustments to make,” Smith said. “But, that’s why we put her out in the games, to see what she needs to work on in practice and with coach Sims. Today, she looked strong and each time she has come out she has looked better, so that’s a good sign. I thought the highlight was our infield defense. The left side defense looked great, made some really good plays and overall, I was really pleased with Chanin and Chaley on the left side. That will obviously help our pitching staff.”
In the third inning, Kansas scored three more runs to take a double-digit advantage over the Tigers. An error scored the first KU run of the frame. McGinley plated her second run of the evening with single, while junior Chaley Brickey brought home the final Jayhawk run with a base hit through the left side.
The Jayhawks outhit the Tigers, 10-3, and sealed the 10-0 victory in five innings. Former Kansas outfielder Taylor Hatfield joined the Cowley coaching staff after graduation last May and for the first time faced KU from the other dugout.
“It was a lot of fun to see Taylor in the other dugout, what a great Jayhawk,” said Smith. “She did some great things for us last year and is a great person to have as a coach. The girls at Cowley are lucky to have her and we miss her here.”
Kansas host Baker University on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m., at Rock Chalk Park.
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