Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Sophomore shortstop Stevie Crisosto throws the ball to first base for an out during the second game of a double-header against Arkansas Tuesday afternoon. Kansas won the first game 4-2 and lost the second 6-1.
The Kansas softball team’s offense stalled against Arkansas on Tuesday, resulting in a 6-1 loss in the second game of a double-header. A poor start from senior starting pitcher Kassie Humphreys, four fielding errors and compounded hitting woes left the team with another loss. Kansas (26-12-1) defeated Arkansas in the first game 4-2.
Coach Tracy Bunge was upfront with the assessment of her team’s performance.
“We weren’t very good in any part of the game,” Bunge said. “Arkansas took it right to us right from the first inning on.”
Arkansas used a two-run homer from catcher Whitney Cloer to jump on the Jayhawks in the first inning. Cloer went 2-for-3 at the plate with 2 RBI. The early inning fireworks continued in the second inning for Arkansas when left fielder Hillary Freeman sent a fastball over the right field wall for a three-run homer. Humphreys gave up five runs in 1 1/3 innings, but Bunge stood by her staff ace.
“Kassie will bounce back, and Kassie will be fine,” Bunge said. “It’s frustrating for her, and it’s frustrating as her pitching coach.”
Down 5-0 after two innings, Kansas struggled at the plate all game because of a masterful performance by Arkansas pitcher Katy Henry. Henry tossed a complete game, giving up only one run and striking out 10.
“I think she threw her game, and we didn’t do a good job of staying off of stuff out of the strike zone,” Bunge said. “She did a good job of moving the ball in and out.”
Freshman Sarah Vertelka came in to relieve Humphreys and pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up only one unearned run.
“Sarah did a really nice job when she came in there in relief,” Bunge said. “She kept the ball down, and she kept the game where it needed to be to give us a chance to get back into it.”
Sophomore starting pitcher Valerie George led Kansas to a 4-2 victory in the first game of the double-header, throwing five scoreless innings and earning her ninth victory of the year. Sophomore third baseman Val Chapple provided an offensive spark by going 2-for-3 with two runs scored in the first game. Chapple added an RBI double in the second game.
Bunge said that while it was always frustrating to walk away from the field with a loss, she hoped the team would take a few lessons from the second game.
pullquote
It definitely leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. So I hope that that makes the girls ready and hungry to come out tomorrow and do some good things.
-coach Tracy Bunge
“It definitely leaves a bitter taste in your mouth,” Bunge said. “So I hope that that makes the girls ready and hungry to come out tomorrow and do some good things.”
Kansas will return to Arrocha Ballpark tomorrow as it plays host to Nebraska in a single game at 3:00 p.m.
Kansan sportswriter Rustin Dodd can be contacted at rdodd@kansan.com.
— Edited by James Pinick
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