Shockers stymie KU

Stingy pitching, long ball keys to sweep

? Wichita State swept Kansas University, 1-0 and 6-4, in a softball doubleheader on a soggy Wednesday night at Wilkins Stadium.

Kansas (32-21-1) struggled offensively, collecting only seven hits in two games. Wichita State (34-26) pounded three home runs, and used solid pitching to earn the nonconference sweep.

In the opener, KU senior Kassie Humphreys (18-12) pitched a complete-game three-hitter, allowing one run, while striking out 10 Shockers. Wichita State’s Margo Pruis (21-11) was equally impressive, fanning 10 Jayhawks and allowing one hit to sophomore Dougie McCaulley.

Kansas stranded seven runners. Sophomore Stevie Crisosto was the Jayhawks’ most productive offensive player. She reached base in three plate appearances, despite not recording a hit.

Wichita State’s Britnee Barnett hit a solo home run over the right-field wall in the bottom of the fourth inning. Barnett’s homer was the first hit surrendered by Humphreys.

Kansas was shut out for the first time since April 18 against Missouri. In addition, it was only the second time all year Kansas did not record at least two hits.

In the second game, the Shockers’ Stephanie DeLaRiva ripped a single into left field that scored pinch runner Lauren Coleman from second base to give WSU a 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the second inning.

Kansas’ offense exploded in the third inning, scoring four runs. Sophomore Val Chapple began the inning with a single to right and advanced to second on a sacrifice by junior Betsy Wilson.

McCaulley singled to left, allowing Chapple to take third. After McCaulley stole second, senior Nicole Washburn ripped a grounder past the Shocker second baseman to score Chapple and McCaulley. One pitch later, freshman Amanda Jobe blasted a two-run home run to right center.

Jobe’s homer was her fifth of the season, tying her for the fifth-most home runs by a KU freshman in a season. In the inning, Kansas scored four runs on four hits.

Wichita State responded in the bottom of the third with a three-run home run from Ashly Bright. Bright, the starting Shocker pitcher, hit her third homer of the year to knot the score at 4-4.

Bright (9-10) threw a complete game, allowing four runs on six KU hits.

Sophomore Valerie George started the game for the Jayhawks, going four innings, allowing four runs on six hits and striking out three. Humphreys (18-13) pitched two innings of relief, giving up two runs on two hits in the defeat.

Kansas will close the regular season with a weekend doubleheader against Iowa State (22-39, 1-15 Big 12 Conference).

The first game is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, with the regular-season finale set for noon Sunday.