Kansas softball drops two

Jayhawks fall to DePaul, 4-3, tumble against Southern Illinois, 4-2

? Kansas University’s softball team dropped a pair of games in the Saluki Round Robin Tournament.

The Jayhawks (13-8) lost to DePaul, 4-3, in their first game and host Southern Illinois, 4-2, in the nightcap.

The Blue Demons began the scoring early with two runs in the top of the first inning.

Kansas pushed a run across in the bottom of the third. With one out, Mel Wallach singled up the middle for the Jayhawks’ first hit of the afternoon. After a Nicole Washburn walk, Dani May hit a shot back to the pitcher. The pitcher was unable to record the out at third, and Wallach scored on the error.

Down 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth, KU fought back to take a one-run lead. Ashley Frazer ignited the rally with a leadoff single to right. Wallach bunted her over to second, and Washburn singled down the left-field line to put runners at second and third with one out.

Destiny Frankenstein came through with a two-out double, scoring both runners to give KU a 3-2 advantage.

But DePaul answered with two runs in the top of the seventh.

KU freshman pitcher Kassie Humphreys (7-4) struck out seven, but allowed eight hits in the loss. Frankenstein led the Kansas offense with a double and two RBIs.

In the second game, Southern Illinois jumped to a one-run lead in the top of the first.

Down 3-0, Kansas cut into the SIU lead with a run in the bottom of the sixth. Wallach smashed a double down the left-field line to open the inning. Southern Illinois pitcher Amy Harre retired the next two KU hitters, then Frankenstein laced a single through the left side of the infield, bringing home Wallach.

Trailing 4-1, KU rallied in the bottom of the seventh. Jessica Moppin opened the inning with a walk and advanced to third after two Jayhawk groundouts. Ashley Frazer singled off the pitcher to put runners on the corners with two outs. Wallach then singled to left field to score Moppin and cut the Salukis lead in half. SIU brought in Alison Thompson to close the game, and the Salukis held on, 4-2.

KU pitcher Kara Pierce (6-4) struck out nine, while only walking one. Wallach and Frankenstein led KU with two hits each.

Kansas is scheduled to face Illinois State at noon today and Tennessee Tech at 4 p.m.