Kansas take two from UMKC; 10-2, 7-0
Jayhawks pitching limits UMKC hitters to two runs on six hits in the twinbill
Kansas prepares to face a Wichita State team that has scuffled on the road.
KANSAN
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008
The University of Kansas softball team dished out some revenge against UMKC on Tuesday. After getting swept in the past two series, the Jayhawks retaliated with a sweep of their own.
Coach Tracey Bunge said it was good for the team to have that success after a rough week. “We needed to get back on our feet and feel a little bit better about ourselves,” Bunge said.
The team earned a 10-2 run-rule victory in six innings in the first game. Sophomore pitcher Sarah Vertelka surrendered two runs in the first inning and held UMKC scoreless the rest of the way. After back-to-back shutout losses, a number of Jayhawks got hot offensively. Senior left fielder Betsy Wilson hit a three-run home run; her fourth of the season, and freshmen right fielder Liz Kocon and catcher Brittany Hile and junior third baseman Val Chapple had multiple hits and at least one RBI.
After those two shutout losses, Bunge said she was happy to see some hitters get back in stride and gain some momentum. “We’re going to need to obviously build on what we did today offensively,” Bunge said.
The Jayhawks won the second game 7-0. While the scores might not reflect it, the second game of the night was a much more lopsided KU victory. Freshman pitcher Allie Clark and junior pitcher Valerie George combined to allow only one hit in seven innings. Eight different Jayhawks had a hit in the game, including Chapple and junior shortstop Stevie Crisosto, each hitting a home run in the contest. Chapple and junior center fielder Dougie McCaulley each stole a base.
Bunge said it was good having Vertelka and Clark get the victories on Tuesday night, since they don’t get that many opportunities. “Both Clark and Vertelka needed it for confidence reasons and both of them came out and did a nice job for us,” Bunge said.
The team returns to Arrocha Ballpark on Thursday for a double header with Wichita State.
Bunge said Wichita State is a team that has been very erratic over the season. “They’ve been a much better home team than a road team,” said Bunge. So the team will happily return to Arrocha Ballpark to take on the Shockers.
— Edited by Daniel Reyes
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