Oct. 8, 2007

LAWRENCE, Kan. -

In another undefeated weekend, the University of Kansas softball team wrapped up its fall season with a flawless 10-0 record. Kansas tallied wins over Johnson County CC, UMKC, and a pair of victories over Central Missouri State.

"Offensively we have proven that we are capable of hitting the ball out of the ballpark, mixed in with some great situational hitting that will enable us to put more runs on the board," said coach Tracy Bunge.  "All three members of the pitching staff showed they can step up and get hitters out in the big situation."

The first game of the weekend was an 11-2 victory over Johnson County CC. Allie Clark was the winning pitcher throwing all seven innings, while giving up two runs on five hits and striking out two. The Jayhawks scored seven runs in the first inning highlighted by a Val Chapple grand slam to take an early lead. Every member of Kansas' starting line-up recorded a hit in the win.

Game two was a 7-0 shutout of the Jennies of Central Missouri State. Val George was the winning pitcher, throwing a complete game shutout giving up only three hits and striking out 10 batters.  Chapple again led the offense with two hits.  Stevie Crisosto added a three-run homer.  Kolby Fesmire, Amanda Jobe, and Clark all added singles to the effort.

Game three proved to be a pitchers' duel, with Kansas squeezing out a 3-2 victory against UMKC. Putting in another brilliant performance from the circle was George, throwing six innings, allowing three hits and two runs and tallying nine K's.  Clark recorded the save.  Crisosto recorded her second home run of the weekend with a two-run shot in the bottom of the third, which turned out to be the difference in the game.

The Jayhawks closed out the fall season with another victory over Central Missouri St. by a score of 6-2 on Sunday.  Sarah Vertelka went all seven innings, giving up four hits and two runs for the win, while also striking out six batters.  Chapple and Clark led from the batter's box each going 2-for-3 at the plate and sophomore Sara Ramirez added her second home run of the fall.  Five additional Jayhawks tallied a hit in the contest.

"As a coaching staff, we are very pleased with the performance the team had throughout the fall," said Bunge. "We are very excited for a promising 2008 season."

Kansas opens its 2008 slate on Feb. 8, in the Central Florida Invitational held in Orlando, Fla.