This is what Kansas University softball coach Tracy Bunge had been waiting for.

Her pitchers on Sunday continued to dominate the Holiday Invitational at Jayhawk Field as KU beat Portland State, 5-0, and Indiana State, 9-1, and allowed just one run in 27 innings to capture the title.

KANSAS' SHELLY MUSSER, right, is tagged out by Indiana State third baseman Jill Weiss. The Jayhawks beat the Sycamores, 9-1, on Sunday at Jayhawk Field during their run to the Holiday Inn softball crown.

“Early in the season we really felt that was going to be our strength, our pitching staff,” said Bunge, whose Jayhawks improved to 11-7. “But we hadn’t seen that.”

Jayhawk pitchers stifled their opponents, allowing the lone run to Indiana State in the bottom of the third inning.

KU freshman Serena Settlemier went the distance against Portland State in the first game.

KU junior Kirsten Milhoan picked up the win against Indiana State.

“Throwing four games and allowing just one run is a major step in the right direction,” Bunge said. “They were much more consistent this weekend.”

As were Kansas’ bats, which accounted for 23 runs in the four games.

Sunday a slew of hitters provided the offense. Senior center fielder Shelly Musser and sophomore catcher Dani May, a Lawrence High grad, led KU in the first game with two hits apiece.

In the second game, the Jayhawks recorded 13 hits in their second win over Indiana State this weekend.

The Jayhawks’ seniors sparked the hit parade as left fielder Christi Musser and third baseman Megan Urquhart each tallied three hits while second baseman Amy Hulse went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and senior catcher Katie Campbell finished 2-for-4.

Despite the seemingly perfect weekend, Bunge warned that her team’s defensive play would have to improve when the Jayhawks travel to Sacramento later this week for the Capital City Classic.

“We’re still making some little bitty errors that didn’t cost us this weekend but in the future can,” she said. “They can all make the plays out there. It’s a matter of keeping our focus.

“We have to continue to improve defensively.”

Kansas 5, Portland State 0

Portland State (5-10) 000 000 0 0 3 2

Kansas (10-7) 010 040 x 5 9 1

Nichole Ivie and Rose Rutledge; Serena Settlemier and Dani May. WSettlemier, 4-2. LIvie. 2BSandy Smith, KU.

Kansas 9, Indiana State 1

Kansas (11-7) 053 001 9 13 1

Indiana State (7-9) 001 000 1 7 1

Kirsten Milhoan and Katie Campbell; Cassie Reeser and Stacey Sparger. WMilhoan (2-1). LReeser. 2BMegan Urquhart, KU; Sarah Lemond, ISU.