Iowa State defeats KU on Senior Day in extra innings, 4-3
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas softball lost to Iowa State, 4-3, in eight innings on Saturday at Arrocha Ballpark at Rock Chalk Park.
On KU’s Senior Day the first five spots in the batting lineup were all graduating seniors, as well as starting pitcher Andie Formby.
Iowa State (23-29, 4-13 Big 12) mirrored yesterday’s 12-4 Kansas victory by scoring most of its runs on home runs for the second-straight day. The Cyclones jumped out to a 3-0 lead after a two-run homer by Nychole Antillon in the first inning and a solo blast by Kaylee Bosworth in the second inning.
But much like KU’s run-rule victory on Friday, Kansas (26-25, 1-16) did not give in. The Jayhawks rallied to tie the game in fifth inning with three runs and eventually force extra innings.
Sophomore infielder Becki Monaghan, who finished 2-for-4 at the plate, setup the big three-run rally in the fifth by leading off the frame with a stand-up double. As KU’s offense began to hum, seniors Erin McGinley, Jessie Roane and Harli Ridling accounted for all three RBIs during the inning. Ridling’s RBI double knotted the game, 3-3.
Iowa State took the go-ahead lead after Skyler Ramos hit a one-out triple in the top of the eighth and later scored on a wild pitch. KU responded with singles by speedy centerfielder Brittany Jackson and McGinley in the bottom half of the eighth but the Cyclones would strand the pair of Jayhawks on base by forcing a fly-out to centerfield for the final out of the game.
Junior utility Brynn Minor (4-4) tossed 5 2/3 innings of relief with two strikeouts and allowed just one run in the losing decision. Iowa State relief pitcher Emma Hylen (11-11) received the win in the circle after holding KU scoreless in 3 2/3 innings pitched.
After the game, KU honored the class of eight and their families in attendance, including Ridling, McGinley, Roane, Formby, Amanda Organ, Annie Mehringer, Mikayla Warren and Sarah Miller.
UP NEXT
The rubber match of the three-game series between Kansas and Iowa State will be Sunday at noon. The contest will be KU’s final game of the season.
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