CARBONDALE, ILL. ? Kansas University’s softball team used abundant hitting and timely hitting Saturday to win two games on the first day of the Kay Brectelsbauer Classic at Southern Illinois.

The Jayhawks beat Ball State, 8-1, in the early game, before coming from behind to beat host Southern Illinois, 5-4, in eight innings.

In all, KU pounded 18 hits, the last a single by Serena Settlemier in the bottom of the eighth of the nightcap to lift KU over the Salukis. Settlemier also picked up the victory in the circle, striking out six in 62/3 innings of relief.

Junior Destiny Frankenstein homered in each game. Her first came in the first inning against Ball State, and gave KU a quick 2-0 lead that proved to be enough. The Jayhawks pounded out 12 hits in the opening game.

Christina Ross pitched five hitless innings, striking out nine, to earn the victory against Ball State. Senior Kathy McVey struck out six in the final two innings to wrap it up.

KU (9-7) will play two more games today — at 10 a.m. against Valparaiso and 4 p.m. in the championship game against Southern Illinois.