Jayhawks Win Both to Start Kansas Fall Invitational

Kansas posts back-to-back run rules to defeat Seminole State and Washburn

Freshman pitcher Kelsey Kessler threw a complete game shutout victory against Washburn in Saturday's nightcap.

Sept. 29, 2012

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Three hits apiece for captains Maddie Stein and Alex Jones in game one and five RBIs from freshman Maddie Stein in the nightcap helped the Kansas softball team defeat Labette Community College and Washburn in the first day of the Kansas Fall Invitational, Saturday at Arrocha Ballpark. KU improved to 3-0 in its fall exhibition season.

Game One: Kansas 8, Labette CC 0 (5)
Jones, a redshirt junior outfielder, flew out to center to leadoff the Jayhawk lineup before following that up with three-straight singles to set the offensive pace. Stein, sophomore catcher and fellow captain, cranked out a pair of doubles, a single and two RBIs to follow suit, while senior first baseman Mariah Montgomery led Kansas with four RBIs.

The Jayhawks took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on Montgomery's first RBI of the afternoon before the home team broke the game open with five more runs in the following at bat. Again, Montgomery provided the RBI spark needed, driving a two-run single as nine-hole hitter junior centerfielder Elsa Moyer and the first four batters in the order crossed the plate to put KU ahead, 6-0.

In the bottom of the third, Stein drilled her second double of the day to bring home Jones and extend KU's lead, 7-0. A sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth brought home Moyer for Montgomery's final RBI of the game, propelling Kansas to the run-rule 8-0 victory.

Senior Morgan Druhan earned the victory in the circle, giving up two hits, no runs and striking out nine in four innings of work. Sophomore Alicia Pille wrapped up the game with a scoreless inning in relief.

Game Two: Kansas 10, Washburn 0 (5)
A bases loaded walk issued to senior right fielder Rosie Hull backed by a two-run single from Brickey pushed Kansas out to a 3-0 lead that the Jayhawks would steadily increase en route to a 10-0, five inning victory.

KU scored in every inning following the first-inning jump start. Jones scored in back-to-back innings, extending the Jayhawk lead to 4-0 by the end of the second. With freshman Kelsey Kessler cruising in the circle, Kansas added to its lead when Jones connected on a triple to left, knocking in Rosie Hull and junior designated hitter Taylor Hatfield.

Holding a commanding 6-0 lead heading into the fourth, Kansas wrapped up the shortened victory with a four spot - highlighted by a three-run triple from Brickey. Following suit, Hatfield stepped in for an RBI double, scoring Brickey and rounding out KU's scoring day.

Kessler surrendered only four hits and struck out five in the complete game shutout.

UP NEXT
Kansas will wrap up its fall tournament on Sunday against Seminole State Community College and Butler Community College, respectively. Game one is slated for 10 a.m. with game two scheduled for noon at Arrocha Ballpark.