Kansas Blasts Past Iowa State, 11-1
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas softball registered two big offensive innings to blast past Iowa State, 11-1, on Saturday afternoon in the first game of the doubleheader at Arrocha Ballpark at Rock Chalk Park.
The Jayhawks (30-20, 7-9 Big 12) scored 11 runs on six hits with a five-run second inning and a six-run fourth to clinch the series. Kansas’ second win over Iowa State this weekend mark KU’s 30th victory of the year. Under head coach Megan Smith has guided the Jayhawks to a 30-win season in each of the last six seasons. Sophomore designated player Daniella Chavez finished the game 1-for-1 with two walks and a team-best four RBIs.
Freshman hurler Alexis Reid sat down the first six batters she faced, including three via strikeout. After KU’s defense turned a double play in the third, Reid tossed her third-straight 1-2-3 inning of the day. Reid improved to 5-6 on the season with the victory.
Kansas’ two-out rally in the second gave the Jayhawks an early lead. Senior outfielder Briana Evans put KU on the scoreboard first with a RBI ground that ignited a five-run second frame. Senior shortstop Chaley Brickey added a run with a bases loaded before Chavez cleared the bases with a double to right field, as Kansas took a 5-0 advantage into the third.Sophomore Daniella Chavez
With the bases loaded in the fourth, Iowa State scored its lone run on a fielder’s choice. Kansas got out of the inning without further harm after Reid and the Jayhawks’ defense ended the frame. The Cyclones scattered four hits in the first game against Reid, who made her 11th start of the season in the circle.
Chavez fueled the fourth-inning rally that resulted in six more Jayhawks crossing home plate. The sophomore designated player plated the first KU run with a bases loaded walk. Redshirt sophomore catcher Harli Ridling brought home two Jayhawks followed by two more with a two-RBI single from senior first baseman Kylee Kennedy. Junior infielder Taylor McElhaney brought home the final run of the inning with a single to left. The second big offensive inning gave Kansas an 11-1 lead over Iowa State.
Reid threw her sixth complete game in the shortened five-inning outing. She struck out four while limiting the Cyclones to one earned run and one walk. In Big 12 Conference action, Reid is 4-1 with a 2.97 ERA and 14 strikeouts.
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