Without doubt, the biggest surprise of Kansas University’s young softball season has been sophomore Serena Settlemier.

Out all of last season with an arm injury, Settlemier leads the Jayhawks in hitting at .318 and in home runs with five while operating as the designated player.

“For her to be doing what she’s doing is amazing,” KU coach Tracy Bunge said. “She’s a kid who had arm issues last fall, and we shut her down for three months. She didn’t resume until mid-January.”

Settlemier also leads the Jayhawks (7-4) in strikeouts with 12.

“It’s raw talent,” Bunge said. “She’s either making huge contact or striking out. We’d like to get her a little more consistent.”

The Jayhawks will be in Santa Barbara, Calif., this weekend for the Softball by the Beach Invitational. KU is scheduled to meet UC Riverside and Central Florida today, host UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly Saturday and No. 2-ranked California Sunday.

Kansas won all five of its games last weekend at a tournament in San Antonio, Texas, but the Jayhawks will face a tougher brand of opponent this weekend.

“We don’t feel we were really tested last weekend,” Bunge said. “But playing a team like Cal that’s ranked in the top 10 will give us a better idea of where we are.”

Senior Kara Pierce and freshman Kassie Humphreys have been an effective 1-2 punch on the mound. Pierce owns a 1.91 earned run average and has 33 strikeouts in 33 innings. Humphreys has 37 strikeouts in 39 innings and a 2.77 ERA. KU foes are hitting just .210 against the KU duo.

“I’m excited with what our two pitchers are doing. Pierce has been solid, and Kassie has been like a freshman,” Bunge said. “She struggled a little bit with the cold in Texas. She’d never pitched in cold weather before.”

The weather should be warmer in Santa Barbara, although rain is forecast for Saturday and Sunday.

In addition to Settlemier, Bunge has been pleasantly surprised by freshman Nicole Washburn, who has taken over at first base with incumbent Lindsey Weinstein out for the season for unspecified reasons. Washburn is batting at the top of the order.

“I’m not surprised she’s doing well, but I am a little bit surprised she’s batting leadoff,” Bunge said. “She’s been very aggressive at the plate. She’s getting on base, and she’s putting the ball in play.”

Washburn, who hails from St. Peters, Mo., is hitting .286 with a .500 slugging percentage.

After three straight weekends on the road, the Jayhawks will be idle next weekend. They’re scheduled to open at home in new Arrocha Ballpark March 6-7 in the Jayhawk Classic.