Feb. 8, 2008

Box Score |  Quotes

Game 2 vs. NC State:

ORLANDO, Fla. - Five different Jayhawks combined for seven hits along with four runs to beat out NC State, 4-3, in the conclusion of Friday's softball action here Friday afternoon.

With the win, Kansas improved to 2-0, while NC State opened its season with a 0-1 mark.

Sophomore hurler Sarah Vertelka went all seven innings from the circle in her first appearance of the season. Vertelka, who threw the sixth complete game of her career, gave up seven hits and struck out five batters.

Amanda Jobe and Sara Ramirez, both sophomores, each recorded their second RBIs of the day against the Wolfpack, while junior Dougie McCaulley also brought in a run. Jobe and newcomer Brittany Hile led KU with two hits a piece during the contest.

After trailing 2-1 after three innings, KU rallied back with three runs in the bottom of the fourth to steal the lead.

With two outs, Ramirez roped a double to right center field bringing in Val Chapple. Next, Stevie Crisosto reached first on a dropped third strike and took one extra base on a throwing error by NC State's catcher. The error also allowed Ramirez to cross home plate.

Jobe brought in the final run, and ultimately the winning run, in a set up similar to one in KU's game earlier in the day. The play started when Jobe sent a single through the left side of the field. Crisosto rounded third and slid into home barely missing the tag once again to give the Jayhawks a 4-2 edge over the Wolfpack.

NC State threatened Kansas' lead in the top of the seventh. The Wolfpack cut KU's lead to one on an RBI double, but Vertelka forced a ground out a few batters later to end the inning with NC State runners stranded on first and third.

Crisosto scored Kansas' first run of the game, unearned, in the bottom of the third on a fly ball from Dougie McCaulley.

Kansas returns to action tomorrow morning against Illinois State. First pitch is set for 8:30 a.m. (CST). The Jayhawks will go up against host Central Florida later in the day at 10:30 p.m. (CST). Live stats for the contest can be found at http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/ucf-tourney-08.html.

UCA Box Score

Game 1 vs. Central Arkansas:
ORLANDO, Fla. - After tying up the score at 1-1 in the sixth inning, the University of Kansas softball team heated up from the batter's box in the top of the seventh to bring in the winning run and defeat Central Arkansas 2-1 in its season debut.

Five different Jayhawks tallied a hit in their 2008 debut and all turned in errorless performances on defense. Sophomore Amanda Jobe recorded the tying RBI, while fellow sophomore Sara Ramirez brought in the Jayhawks' winning run.

Kansas led the final inning off with a double sent deep into right field from freshman Liz Kocon. Freshman Brittany Hile advanced Kocon one base with a sac bunt before Chapple was able to move her over one more on an error by the third baseman. Ramirez brought in the winning run with a shot to right field.

Freshman Allie Clark recorded the win from the circle in her first collegiate appearance. Clark entered the game for the final two innings, replacing junior Val George. George held the Bears hitless through the first four stanzas and struck out three batters through five innings.

UCA scored first tallying a run off a pair of doubles in the bottom of the fifth inning.

KU was quick to respond tying the game in its next at bat. Crisosto led off the sixth inning with a walk and moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt from senior Betsy Wilson. Jobe stepped up to the plate next and sent a ball into right field to bring Crisosto around to home. Crisosto dove head first into home plate sliding just out of reach of the ensuing tag from UCA catcher Amanda Perrott.