Big third inning too much for Kansas in loss
Box Score Final Box (.PDF)
STILLWATER, Okla. – Kansas softball couldn’t comeback from a big third inning by Oklahoma State, as the Cowgirls won the series finale, 7-1, on Saturday afternoon at Cowgirl Stadium.
In her second start of the series, sophomore Alexis Reid surrendered an earned run in the first inning and kept Kansas (19-17, 1-5 Big 12) in the ballgame until the Cowgirls’ (25-11, 6-0 Big 12) offense had a big third inning and pushed four runs across. Following the four-run third, Reid quieted the OSU bats and tossed back-to-back shutout frames. The Blue Springs, Missouri native went the distance, throwing her 13th complete game of the season, and struck out eight batters, tying her career-high mark.
Junior outfielder Erin McGinley led off the game with a base hit to left field and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt. With the Jayhawks threatening to take an early lead, OSU starter Brandi Needham induced two more out to strand McGinley in scoring position for her first shutout inning. In the bottom half of the first, senior catcher Vanessa Shippy put the Cowgirls on the scoreboard first with a RBI single to right field. The second OSU single of the frame gave the Cowgirls a 1-0 advantage after one inning.
Oklahoma State added a run in the third inning after sophomore outfielder Taylor Lynch beat out the throw to first base on a bunt single. A throwing error on the play allowed the OSU runners to advance further and the second run to cross home plate, as the Cowgirls increased their lead, 2-0. Oklahoma State extended the third with a two-out rally that brought home three more runs. The Jayhawks headed to the fourth frame trailing OSU, 5-0.
Senior infielder Taylor McElhaney’s second hit of the day gave KU runners on the corners with two outs in the top of the fifth. OSU’s Needham got the final out and stranded two more Jayhawks on base as the top half of the frame came to an end.
In the sixth frame, McGinley hit her fifth home run of the season to put Kansas on the scoreboard. Her second hit of the game cut OSU’s lead, 5-1. Just as Kansas was getting momentum going in the batter’s box, OSU went to its bullpen and senior right-hander Shea Coats ended the top half of the inning without further harm.
Oklahoma State answered with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth. OSU tacked on another run with two outs in the sixth, increasing its lead, 7-1.
Kansas’ offense recorded six hits compared to OSU’s 11. McGinley and McElhaney each recorded a multi-hit effort at the plate with two hits. McGinley has posted 10 multi-hit performances this season, third most by the Jayhawks in 2017.
UP NEXT
Kansas returns to Rock Chalk Park to host Creighton for a midweek matchup on Tuesday, April 4 at 6 p.m. The game will air on the Jayhawk Radio Network.
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