Jayhawks Fall to No. 14 Baylor, 6-1
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Freshman catcher Jessie Roane posted her fifth multi-hit effort at the plate during Big 12 action against nationally-ranked Baylor, but the Bears offense capitalized on a trio of two-run innings to defeat the Jayhawks, 6-1, on Saturday afternoon at Arrocha Ballpark at Rock Chalk Park.
Although Kansas didn’t get the outcome it was looking for on Saturday afternoon, it was still a special day for the Jayhawks. Following the game, KU celebrated the careers of its four seniors Chanin Naudin, Alicia Pille, Maddie Stein and Beth Wilson. The class of 2015 has helped KU to a 69-35 record over the past two seasons and in 2014 guided the Jayhawks to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2006.
“Regardless of the outcome today, these seniors have done a phenomenal job for this program,” said head coach Megan Smith. “I can’t put into words how special they are.”
In the second game of the series, Kansas’ offense was led by Roane with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate and drove in KU’s lone run with a a base hit in the fourth inning. Roane’s pair of hits were among six recorded by the Jayhawks (35-12, 5-9 Big 12) in the second game of the series. Baylor (36-13, 10-4 Big 12) outhit Kansas, 10-6.Student Manager Mitch Hoyt was also recognized
during KU’s 205 senior celebration.
“I was hoping for a better outcome and a better start, we came out a little flat,” said head coach Megan Smith. “Monique started the game extremely well and our defense let her down. We need to do a better job defensively to give our pitchers some backup. There was a lack of focus at the beginning of the game and tomorrow we’ve got to do a better job.”
Shortstop Jordan Strickland gave Baylor the lead in the opening frame after driving in two runs with a double to left field. Kansas starter Monique Wesley started and concluded the first inning with a strikeout. Wesley made her ninth start of the season before sophomore Sophia Templin took over in the second inning.
The Bears added to their lead in the second frame with a RBI double from outfielder Kaitlyn Thumann and a RBI single from outfielder Lindsey Cargill. After two complete innings, Baylor jumped out to a 4-0 lead with six hits.
Junior outfielder Briana Evans slapped KU’s first hit of the day up the middle. Freshman Kendall Potts retired the side before Kansas could gain any momentum at the dish. Potts improved to 7-3 in the circle with the victory. She limited Kansas’ offense to one run and scattered five hits, while striking out one.
In the fourth frame, Baylor added two more runs on the scoreboard, its third inning to score a pair of runs, to gain its largest lead of the contest, 6-0. In the circle, Potts held Kansas scoreless through the first four innings until Roane ended the shutout with a RBI single to right field.
Templin shutdown Baylor’s offense in the final three frames, tossing three scoreless innings to end her 14th relief outing of 2015. In all, Templin threw a total of four scoreless frames in six innings of work. She scattered five hits and struck three BU batters. Despite Templin cooling down the Bears’ bats late in the game, the Jayhawks couldn’t mount another come-from-behind win and fell, 6-1.
UP NEXT
Kansas will play its final home game of the 2015 season and conclude the Baylor series on Sunday, May 3. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. at Arrocha Ballpark at Rock Chalk Park.
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