Jayhawks edged by Cowgirls, 1-0
Box Score Final Box (.PDF)
STILLWATER, Okla. – An early run proved to be the difference in the pitcher’s duel as Oklahoma State edged Kansas, 1-0, in the second game on Friday at Cowgirl Stadium.
The Jayhawks (19-16, 1-4 Big 12) recorded four hits compared to the Cowgirls’ (24-11, 5-0 Big 12) two base knocks. Despite outhitting OSU, Kansas’ offense couldn’t string together hits late in the game to mount a comeback. Senior outfielder Lily Behrmann went 2-for-2 with a walk to lead KU’s offense in the second game of the doubleheader.
Oklahoma State scored first in the opening frame after senior catcher Vanessa Shippy drove in the go ahead run with a RBI single up the middle. In her 21st start of the season, sophomore Alexis Reid recorded back-to-back strikeouts following the run to end the inning with just a one-run deficit.
After OSU scored the go ahead run in the first, both starting pitchers threw zeros on the scoreboard for the next six frames. Reid recorded four strikeouts in the first three innings of the ballgame, while allowing just one run and one hit.
In the top of the fourth, Behrmann recorded the first KU hit of the game, a double to left field. Behrmann’s hit broke up the no-hitter after three innings, but she was stranded in scoring position as the top half of the inning came to an end.
Senior shortstop Taylor McElhaney ended the fourth with a diving catch toward second base, which allowed Reid to throw her third-straight shutout frame. In the next half inning, freshman infielder Madison Sykes put the tying run on base with a bunt single. Sophomore outfielder Emily Bermel moved Sykes into scoring position with KU’s second hit of the fifth, but OSU was able to get out of the frame unscathed.
Reid worked around a walk in the bottom of the fifth to toss her fourth-straight shutout inning. She ended the game with six strikeouts, while giving up two hits and an earned run. She dropped to 11-9 on the season after the close game.
Behrmann led off the top of the sixth with her second hit of the ballgame, a single to left field. The senior advanced to second base on an illegal pitch, giving Kansas the tying run in scoring position for the second inning in a row. A ground out moved Behrmann 60 feet closer to tying the ballgame, but she remained at third base as the top of the sixth came to a close.
Reid gave up a leadoff walk in the bottom of the sixth, but got out of the inning without harm and tossed her fifth shutout frame in a row. Junior catcher Harli Ridling threw the runner out at second base to retire the side. She threw three Cowgirls out at second over the course of the doubleheader.
Despite outhitting the Cowgirls, 4-2, Kansas’ offense couldn’t string together hits to push a run cross home plate. Oklahoma State’s early run in the first inning was enough for the 1-0 victory.
UP NEXT
Kansas concludes its three-game series at Oklahoma State on Saturday, April 1 at 1 p.m., at Cowgirl Stadium. The game will air on the Jayhawk Radio Network.
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