Kansas concludes non-conference play with Nevada

Games 45-47
 

Date April 21-23, 2017
Location Lawrence, Kan.
Notes Game Notes

LIVE COVERAGE
Audio Audio Stream
Stats Live Stats
 LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas softball concludes its 2017 nonconference slate with a three-game series against Nevada April 21-23 at Free State High School. The series will be broadcast on the Jayhawk Radio Network. 

Leading off for Kansas

  • Kansas and Nevada meet for the first time in program history on the diamond this weekend. 
  • With its victory over then-No. 14 Baylor (3/25), Kansas’ streak increased to eight-straight seasons with a win over a nationally-ranked opponent. 
  • After defeating Texas Tech twice in a three-game series (April 7-9), Kansas won its first Big 12 series of 2017.
  • Kansas has scored first in 21 of its 44 games in 2017. The Jayhawks have a 14-7 record when putting a run on the scoreboard before their opponent. 
  • Junior outfielder Mikayla Warren hit Kansas’ second grand slam of the season at Texas Tech (4/7). The pinch-hit homer was the first of Warren’s career. 
  • Freshman hurler Mandy Roberts recorded her first career save against the Red Raiders (4/8) after fending off TTU’s late rally in the second game of the series. 

About the Jayhawks
Kansas enters its final nonconference series with a 22-22 overall record and a 19-13 mark in nonconference action. KU’s series with Nevada begins a six-game home stand, the final six games in Lawrence during the 2017 season. The Jayhawks own a 6-8 record at home this year. 

Kansas’ offense is batting .282 in 2017 with 326 hits, including tied for the second-most home runs (33) in the Big 12, and 110 walks. Five Jayhawks are hitting above .300 after 44 games. Junior infielder Jessie Roane is batting .342 to lead KU’s offense, while senior outfielder Lily Behrmann is second with a .323 clip. Roane leads the team with 50 hits, including 14 doubles, and 34 RBIs. Junior Mikayla Warren hit Kansas’ second grand slam of the season at Texas Tech (4/7), her first career long ball in the Crimson and Blue. 

The Jayhawks’ pitching staff has posted the fourth-best ERA in the conference with a 3.44 ERA. After a win over No. 14 Baylor (3/25), sophomore Alexis Reid has defeated at least one nationally-ranked opponent in each of her seasons with the Jayhawks. Reid is 14-15 on the season with 102 strikeouts and a 3.18 ERA. She struck out eight batters in the series finale against Oklahoma State (4/1), marking the second time this season to record eight strikeouts. Junior Sarah Miller has made 10 starts in the circle and owns a 3-4 record. She has a 3.57 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 49 innings of work.

Scouting the Wolf Pack
With a 8-7 record in Mountain West Conference play, Nevada is fourth in the league standings. The Wolf Pack are 22-17 on the season and have won six of their last eight games. 

Offensively, the Wolf Pack are batting .289 with 299 hits and 100 walks. Eight players on Nevada’s roster are hitting above .300. Junior infielder Jennifer Purcell is hitting a team-high .375 in 15 starts and 16 appearances with 18 hits and nine RBIs. Junior outfielder Erika Hansen leads the team in RBIs (43), home runs (9) and walks (16).

In the circle, Nevada has posted a 4.35 ERA with 203 strikeouts compared to 101 walks in 249 and two-thirds innings of work. Opposing batters are hitting .301 against the Wolf Packs’ pitching staff. Senior right-handed pitcher McKenna Isenberg has posted a 3.84 ERA and a 13-9 mark in 129 and one-thirds innings pitched. Isenberg leads the pitching staff with 137 K’s  and has 14 complete games in 22 starts.

Following Kansas
Listen to every pitch, home and away, all season long as part of the Jayhawk Radio Network, in partnership with KJHK, the University of Kansas’ student radio station, KLWN and KWOD. All of KU’s contests will be carried live, for free, at KUAthletics.com/radio or by clicking the link on the online schedule. Fans can also get in-game updates via twitter by following @KUsoftball.

The Jayhawk Way
From the moment a student-athlete steps on campus, Kansas head softball coach Megan Smith and her staff begin the process of instilling the Jayhawk Way into their team. The philosophy guides the Jayhawks in competing on the diamond, in the classroom and being a part of the community. There are several core values that the Jayhawks learn to live by while playing at Kansas: family, academics, character and hard work.

Walk It Out
One of head coach Megan Smith’s most diverse hitters, senior outfielder Lily Behrmann, can do it all at the plate. She can hit for power or lay down the perfect bunt, but her biggest strength at the plate is her patience. The Overland Park, Kansas native leads the team with 29 walks so far this season and has 108 to her name since joining the Jayhawks in 2014. Behrmann needs 38 more walks to claim KU’s all-time walk record. The current record for career walks is 145 held by Chaley Brickey (2013-16). 

Extra, Extra Read All About It
After playing four extra-inning games this season, Kansas is 2-3 in extended contests in 2017. Kansas is 15-7 all-time under head coach Megan Smith in extended contests. Kansas has an overall record of 87-81-1 in extra-inning games. The longest game in KU history was 24 innings against Oklahoma State on May 2, 1994, which is the third-longest game in NCAA history.

Up Next
The Jayhawks continue their six-game homestand with Texas April 28-30 at Arrocha Ballpark at Rock Chalk Park. The series begins on Friday, April 28 at 5 p.m., on the Jayhawk Radio Network and FCS. 

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