Seniors Lead Jayhawks Past Cyclones, 8-0
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Senior hurler Monique Wesley went the distance, while a trio of seniors accounted for nearly half of Kansas’ runs in an 8-0 run-rule victory over Iowa State on Saturday afternoon at Arrocha Ballpark at Rock Chalk Park.
Wesley, a product of Fontana, California, threw a complete-game shutout in her final appearance at home. The senior tossed five shutout inning and improved to 6-5 on the season in the circle. Wesley struck out five and scattered two hits.
“It’s one thing to beat a team three times, but it’s another thing to be dominate and we were dominate in all three games,” said head coach Megan Smith. “I think that the best way to send our seniors out is with three dominant wins.”Senior Chaley Brickey
While Wesley shined in the circle, the rest of the senior class came through at the plate and accounted for three of eight runs in the second game of the doubleheader. Infielders Chaley Brickey and Kylee Kennedy and outfielder Shannon McGinley each drove in a run on senior day.
“This weekend you saw all five seniors play and contribute,” Smith said. “They’ve had some ups and downs, but are fighters. Monique (Wesley) has had a great senior year. Kylee (Kennedy) hasn’t seen the field much and this year and has done a good job with her opportunities. They are hard workers, they have grit and character, which is tough to replace. Briana (Evans) is going to be really tough to replace because she is the personality of our team. She makes every day fun.”
Sophomore designated player Daniella Chavez continued the trend of igniting the offense in the second game. She hit a double off the wall in right field, bringing home the first two Kansas runs. Chavez recorded back-to-back multi-RBI efforts at the plate.
Kennedy jump started the fourth inning rally with a RBI double to left center for the first of six runs. Junior infielder Taylor McElhaney continued the frame with a single, which added another KU run before McGinley walked in a run after drawing a base on balls with the bases full of Jayhawks. Brickey extended the rally with a sacrifice fly to left before redshirt sophomore catcher Harli Ridling drove the final run of the frame in with a single.
With an eight run advantage in the fifth, Wesley went back to work in the circle. She sat the batters down in order to complete her shutout effort.
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