Kansas bats come alive in 12-1 victory at UTSA

SAN ANTONIO — Kansas softball’s bats came alive during a 12-1 run rule-shortened victory over UTSA on Friday night to conclude day one of the UTSA Softball Tournament.

“We are very pleased with our lineup tonight. One through nine executed very well and had good at-bats,” Kansas head coach Megan Smith said. “To put up that many runs, you have to have your whole lineup producing and every single one of them did.”

Indeed, every single Jayhawk who made a plate appearance produced at a high level on Friday. All nine batters recorded at least one hit, including seven Jayhawks with multi-hit games. Kansas (6-1) was lifted early by a four-run first inning and late by a four-run sixth inning.

As KU’s offense exploded for 18 hits and 12 runs, Andie Formby (2-0) pitched a methodical complete-game victory, striking out three and holding UTSA (3-2) to just one run on five hits — maintaining a no-hitter into the fourth inning.

Sophomore second baseman Sam Dellinger tied her career high for hits with a 4-for-4 effort at the plate with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBIs.

Making her first-career start — in her hometown no less — freshman designated player Tarin Travieso did not disappoint her throng of family in attendance at Roadrunner Field. Travieso went 2-for-4 at the plate with a team-high six RBIs and her first-career home run.

“Tarin is a talented hitter,” Smith continued. “She took a really good pinch-hit at-bat in the first game of the doubleheader today (a 2-1 win over Prairie View A&M). We liked her swings and decided to start her as our designated player for the first time. We are glad we did because she had a great night and to do that in front of her family is a memory she won’t forget.”

Travieso and sophomore first baseman Becki Monaghan both hit their first home runs of the season during KU’s first run rule-shortened victory of the season. Monaghan knocked a solo home run in the fifth inning, while Travieso slammed a three-run shot in the sixth inning, which gave KU a 10-run lead, 11-1.

Freshman centerfielder Brittany Jackson drove in KU’s last run of the day with a single up in the middle in the sixth inning to score Monaghan and give the Jayhawks a 12-1 lead.

Where KU’s offense finished, it also started. Jackson kick-started KU’s stellar day at the plate by running out an infield single to leadoff the game — the start of a four-run first inning. Kansas went on to record four-straight base hits before UTSA could get an out in the first inning.

Senior catcher Harli Ridling, Dellinger and Travieso all drove in first-inning runs, giving starting pitcher Formby (2-0) a four-run lead before stepping into the circle.

NEXT UP

Kansas returns to Roadrunner Field on Saturday for day two of the UTSA Softball Tournament. The Jayhawks will have back-to-back games against Lamar at 11:30 a.m. and Missouri State immediately following at 2 p.m.

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