Softball Splits in Day Two of Arizona Classic

Sophomore pitcher Kassie Humphreys.

Feb. 5, 2005

Tucson, Ariz. - The University of Kansas softball team split in Day Two of the Arizona Pepsi Classic on Saturday, defeating New Mexico State, 8-4, before falling to Northwestern, 7-1, at Hillenbrand Stadium.

In the first game of the day, KU rallied back from a 4-1 deficit to score seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat New Mexico State. The Jayhawks scored their first run of the day in the third off hits by Heather Stanley and Cyndi Duran.

The KU offense was unstoppable in the sixth. With one out, Destiny Frankenstein doubled off the center field wall and Serena Settlemier followed with KU's first home run of the season.

NMSU made a defensive change, and with two down, Jessica Moppin reached first on a solid bunt. Nettie Fierros doubled and advanced to third on the throw, scoring Moppin. Kassie Humphreys, who was KU's starting pitcher, blasted a home run to deep left for the first hit of her college career.

After an Aggie pitching change, Stanley walked and stole second. Jackie Vasquez knocked her in with a double to the left field gap and Duran reached on an error, which allowed Vasquez to score. In all, KU posted six hits and seven runs, going on to win 8-4.

Humphreys (0-1) started the game and allowed four hits and stuck out four in three innings. Settlemier (1-1) picked up the win after 3.2 innings of work while Christina Ross faced just the final batter of the game.

Moppin and Fierros led KU with two hits apiece while Humphreys and Settlemier notched two RBI apiece.

In KU's second game, both teams remained scoreless until Northwestern put four runs on the board in the bottom of the third on four hits and two Jayhawk errors. The Wildcats stuck again in the fifth when the lead off batter knocked out a home run.

Ross (0-1), the KU starter, was relieved by Humphreys, but gave up two more hits. The Wildcats took a 6-0 lead on two runs in the fifth and added another in the sixth, despite leaving three runners on base.

The Jayhawks' lone run came in the top of the sixth. With one out, Frankenstein walked and was sent home on a double by Settlemier. KU could not score again and Northwestern took the contest, 7-1.

Ross, who made her first start as a Jayhawk, allowed eight hits and struck out four in four innings of work. Humphreys pitched the last two innings and allowed three hits and walked four.

Nicole Washburn led the KU offense with two hits (double, single).

KU (1-3) will conclude tournament play at 1 p.m. (Central) Sunday against Tulsa.

-KU-