Rylan Howe

Junior infielder Destiny Frankenstein connects with a pitch during the game against Baylor yesterday in Arrocha Ballpark. Frankenstein led the Jayhawks with a career-high four hits, two doubles and two singles, but the effort came in an 8-5 loss, dropping the team to 19-18 and 2-7 in the Big 12 Conference.

The Kansas softball team lost both games this weekend to No. 8 Baylor, losing tough games on Saturday, 8-7 in eight innings and 8-5 yesterday, in Arrocha Ballpark.

Kansas coach Tracy Bunge said the Jayhawks had an opportunity to get some key Big 12 Conference victories but fundamental errors hurt the team.

“We ran ourselves out of innings,” Bunge said.

She said the errors killed momentum and killed possible rallies.

Junior shortstop Destiny Frankenstein said the losses were frustrating.

“We have to improve base running and defense,” she said.

Yesterday the Jayhawks had four-base running errors that were costly to the down stretch of the game.

Bunge said she was pleased with the team’s hitting during the weekend. Frankenstein led the team, going 4-for-4 with one run and one RBI. The Jayhawks out hit the Bears 11 to 6 and only struck out once but could not advance runners effectively.

Kassie Humphreys, sophomore pitcher, struggled from the circle yesterday, giving up five hits and five earned runs.

“Kassie is very frustrated, but she works hard and has one of the best attitudes every day,” Bunge said.

Serena Settlemier, junior pitcher, relieved Humphreys and gave up only one hit and one earned run during her four innings of work. She retired nine straight batters.

Saturday, the team was in position to pull off an upset. Heather Stanley, junior outfielder, kept the team in the game with a three-run home run to deep left field in the bottom of the third inning, pulling the Jayhawks within one. Kansas took the lead in the fourth inning but Baylor bounced back and won in extra innings. Stephanie Pomes, Baylor third baseman, hit a solo home run in the eighth inning, giving the Bears the victory.

Frankenstein said everyone was trying to pick up each other’s spirits. The Jayhawks will need a boost in confidence to get back to the victory column after two tough losses at home, she said.

The team will travel to Lincoln, Neb., Wednesday to take on the Cornhuskers. Then the Jayhawks will make the hour drive to Omaha, Neb., to face the Creighton Bluejays in a double-header contest Thursday. The team will be back in Arrocha Ballpark, which is adjacent to Allen Fieldhouse, this weekend to host a conference match-up against Oklahoma.

— Edited by Nikola Rowe