Kansas softball team returns 1-1 from away-game series
The Jayhawks win 6-1, lose 8-1 against Baylor during the weekend in Waco, Texas
The team will play its fifth and sixth straight away games in Fayatteville, Ark., Thursday.
By Kelly Breckunitch (Contact)
Monday, April 7th, 2008
The University of Kansas softball team continued its streak of six consecutive away games in Waco, Texas during the weekend.
The Jayhawks won the first game on Saturday. Freshman right fielder Liz Kocon carried the team with a grand slam in the seventh inning to earn the team a 6-1 victory against Baylor. Junior pitcher Valerie George continued her strong season, allowing eight hits but giving up only one unearned run. Junior center fielder Dougie McCaulley and junior third baseman Val Chapple also helped the team, both having two hits and a RBI in the game.
Coach Tracy Bunge said Kocon’s performance was huge in the first game. She said the Baylor hitters had been challenging George all day, and the extra run support from Kocon’s grand slam was a big boost. “The difference mentally in going into the bottom of the seventh with a one-run lead versus a five-run lead is huge,” Bunge said.
The second game did not turn out so well for the team. It managed only four hits and one run, while Baylor exploded with six runs in the fourth inning to lead the Bears to an 8-1 victory. Baylor’s senior first baseman Jordan Daniels lifted the team with three hits and four RBI in the game. Kansas’ sophomore first baseman Amanda Jobe drove in the only run for the Jayhawks.
Bunge said the team gave Baylor too many chances, especially in the fourth inning. “They got some clutch hits, they got some big hits that inning, and we didn’t shut the door,” Bunge said.
Bunge said the team needed to focus on playing a complete series, and that would be something they’d definitely have to focus on heading to Arkansas. “We have to play 14 innings,” Bunge said.
The Jayhawks move to 29-10 on the season and 3-3 in conference play. The Jayhawks play in Fayetteville, Ark., on Thursday. “We can’t assume that they’re going to give us anything,” Bunge said. “We have to go out, and we just have to play really tough, intense softball.”
— Edited by Katherine Loeck
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