Jayhawks Win Sixth-Straight, Run-Rule Western Illinois, 8-0
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas softball extended its win streak to six-straight games after defeating Western Illinois, 8-0, in a six-inning run-rule game on Friday night inside Arrocha Ballpark at Rock Chalk Park.
In the shortened game, the Jayhawks (13-8) outhit the Leathernecks, 9-6, as the offense continued to apply pressure as the game wore on. Sophomores Erin McGinley and Daniella Chavez each recorded multi-hit games with a pair of hits in KU’s second game of the weekend. Chavez drove in four of Kansas’ eight runs, while Erin McGinley plated two.
“Tonight we came through with clutch hits and pressured multiple times during the game, which is what we need to do,” said head coach Megan Smith. “The top of our order did a great job and both of our pinch hitters came in and did their jobs, so that was nice to see.”Sophomore Andie Formby
Friday night’s win marks the third run-rule victory for the Jayhawks and the fourth shutout of the season. Kansas hasn’t relinquished a run 14-straight innings, dating back to the sixth inning of the final game at the Coach B Classic on March 6.
Sophomore right-hander Andie Formby tossed a complete-game shutout, the second in a row for Kansas after senior Monique Wesley threw one last night against Missouri State. It also marked the second night in a row that a Jayhawk pitcher recorded a career best in strikeouts. Formby registered eight K’s in the shutout performance.
“Andie looked really good and was using a lot of different pitches,” Smith said. “She was confident and there were moments where she gave up hits, some tense moments, but she battled through it. I was proud of her poise and confidence tonight.”
Although she surrendered six hits, Formby improved to 5-1 in the circle as her ERA dropped to 2.14 after six scoreless innings. The Orange, California product threw three 1-2-3 frames against the Leathernecks.
The Jayhawks got on the scoreboard first in the second inning, after sophomore third baseman Jessie Roane cleared the bases and plated two KU runs. Roane’s two-RBI double gave Kansas a 2-0 lead over Western Illinois.
In the third inning, Chavez tacked on three more runs with her seventh long ball of the season. Chavez’s three-run home run increased KU’s lead, 5-0. Kansas leads the Big 12 Conference with 25 long balls in 2016, including seven from Chavez.
“Daniella did phenomenal, she was big for our offense tonight,” said Smith. “She recorded a lot of RBIs and came through in some clutch situations.”
With the bases loaded, Chavez plated her fourth run of the night after drawing a walk. Her loaded-base walk extended Kansas’ lead, 6-0. A Jayhawk remained on all three bases until the final out was made, stranding four runners through the first five innings.
Erin McGinley drove in the final two runs of the night in the sixth frame, giving Kansas the 8-0 victory over the Leathernecks. Her second hit of the evening, a single to left field, brought the runners on second and third home.
UP NEXT
Kansas continues the Jayhawk Invitational on Saturday, March 12 against Western Illinois. First pitch is slated for 11:30 a.m. on the Jayhawk Radio Network.
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