Serena Settlemier’s goals were far from greedy.

“I didn’t want a shutout or a no-hitter,” Settlemier said. “I just wanted to finish seven innings and get a win.”

Settlemier, making her first start on the mound for Kansas University’s softball team since 2002, settled for neither.

Settlemier was saddled with the loss as the Jayhawks bowed, 2-1, to Wichita State in the second game of a doubleheader Tuesday at Arrocha Ballpark. KU won the opener, 1-0, behind Kassie Humphreys’ two-hitter.

For four innings, Settlemier was every bit as effective as Humphreys. Then she surrendered three hits and two runs in the fifth inning, and coach Tracy Bunge brought out the hook.

“I was very disappointed,” Settlemier said.

Bunge was more upbeat about Settlemier’s performance. After all, the third-year sophomore from Kelso, Wash., still has a metal plate in her forearm after undergoing surgery that forced her to miss the entire 2003 season.

“She was right around 60 pitches when she came out, but she’s been up to 80, 90 and 100 pitches in practice,” Bunge said. “In hindsight, she may have been losing it. I may have had a quicker trigger, but when you’re not hitting … well, I wanted to see if she could work her way out of it.”

KU’s struggling batters managed only five hits in the twinbill — three by freshman first baseman Nicole Washburn, including a pair of doubles in the nightcap.

In the opener, KU used a hit batsman and two WSU errors in the third inning to manufacture the only run.

“We got a break in the first game,” Bunge said. “It seemed like the first break we’ve had in the last two or three weeks.”

Kansas started quickly in the second game. Destiny Frankenstein walked with two outs in the first, and Washburn doubled her home. However, that was the Jayhawks’ last hit off WSU freshman Margo Pruis until Washburn stroked a one-out double in the seventh, then was stranded when Melanie Wallach fanned and Settlemier grounded out.

Kansas (24-20-1) will return to Big 12 Conference competition today against Missouri. Game time is 5 p.m. at Arrocha Ballpark.

A week ago in Columbia, Mo., Missouri thumped the Jayhawks and senior pitcher Kara Pierce, 7-0. Pierce will be back on the mound today against the Tigers.

“Missouri was a tough place to play, very tough,” Pierce said. “Hopefully, we can make it tough for them here. I know I’m going to have to pick up my intensity and be more careful hitting spots.”