Yes, it was a fluke. But what a wonderful fluke.

In a Kansas University softball game last spring at Iowa State, KU’s Christi Musser hit three balls over the fence. Three home runs in one game a rare feat in softball, particularly for someone who hit only two home runs in 57 other KU games.

Musser can’t explain it, but she relishes the memory.

“It was one of those days when you can hit anything thrown at you,” Musser said, smiling. “It was special.”

Christi and her identical twin Shelly have been special ever since they broke into the KU starting lineup as freshmen outfielders in 1999. Now the two Scottsdale, Ariz., products will be playing in home territory when the Jayhawks open the 2002 season today in the Phoenix Classic.

“We want to make a name for this program,” Christi said. “We want to open some eyes nationally.”

Last year’s KU team, picked to finish ninth in the 10-team Big 12, surprised everyone by earning a tie for third place. And they did it with Shelly Musser, their prototypical leadoff hitter, ailing during the last month of the season with a shoulder injury.

A handful of times, Shelly would start, swing at a pitch, then have to be replaced because of shoulder pain. At other times, she couldn’t answer the bell at all.

“I felt bad for her because she wanted so much to be a part of our season,” sister Christi said.

As a freshman and sophomore, Shelly Musser was a first-team All-Big 12 selection, but she slipped to second team last year, primarily because of the bad shoulder and a less serious ankle injury that made her less of a threat as a base stealer, although she still led the Jayhawks in stolen bases with 16.

Rest was the first prescription for healing Shelly’s shoulder and ankle.

“I played a little bit in the summer and the shoulder didn’t bother me too much,” Shelly said. “I thought I was healed and then it came back.”

That was last September during the Jayhawks’ fall season. Finally, Shelly underwent reconstructive surgery in October. Part of her scapula was removed and tendons were reattached.

Earlier, the bad ankle had been repaired, now the shoulder is almost healed and, says Shelly, “I have all parts of my game back.”

If you’re wondering, Shelly, who hit only one home run last season, has never even dreamed of hitting three homers in a game like her sister did.

“She’s always been stronger than me,” Shelly said with a smile. “I’m more into speed stuff.”

Unranked Kansas will play five games in the Phoenix tourney. KU is slated to tangle with No. 5-ranked California and No. 24 UMass today, Utah State and No. 17 Southwest Texas on Saturday and No. 6 Arizona State on Sunday.