The University of Kansas softball team split its second straight series on Wednesday night. A one-run loss in the first game of the night led the Jayhawks to salvage the series with a victory in the late game.

In the first game, the team trailed by one run going into the sixth inning but rallied for three runs in the top of the sixth. The Jayhawks couldn’t contain Nebraska though, which scored three runs of its own in the bottom of the sixth to win 5-4. Junior third baseman Val Chapple and shortstop Stevie Crisosto both had two hits in the game and Chapple had one run and one RBI. Junior pitcher Valerie George allowed 11 hits during the course of the game and only struck out two batters in the loss.

Freshman pitcher Allison Clark has come on strong in the last part of the season and sees the pitching staff working together now to overcome tough outings.

“We’re going through struggles, but we’re helping each other out and we’re getting the job done when we need to,” Clark said.

The second game went much better for the Hawks. Clark pitched a complete game to earn the 6-3 victory in extra innings. Senior left fielder Betsy Wilson, sophomore second baseman Sara Ramirez and freshman catcher Brittany Hile all had multiple hits in the game and Wilson and Ramirez both drove in a run for the team. The second game was full of errors, as Kansas committed three in the game while Nebraska had four. Clark allowed only one earned run and has come on strong at the end of the season.

Clark said the Jayhawks’ tough loss in the opening game was what motivated her in the second game.

“That’s why I came out in the second game and I was like, ‘You know what, I’m gonna shut this team down,’ ” Clark said.

The Jayhawks now prepare for their final series against Iowa State at Arrocha Ballpark this weekend. It will be the last series at home for Wilson, senior first baseman Addy Lucero and reserve catcher Sara Sidebottom. Clark said the Jayhawks were confident heading into the last two games against Iowa State and they wanted to win the games for the senior class.

The game on Saturday will start at 1 p.m. and Sunday’s game will be at noon. Then, the Jayhawks will move on to the Big 12 conference tournament.

Clark said the Iowa State games would be an opportunity for the team to fine-tune some aspects of the game and prepare for the tournament.

“The season’s really long and we’re all pretty tired, but we all just have to fight and find that little fire within ourselves,” Clark said.

— Edited by Jared Duncan