KU’s Kocon, Pille dominate as softball wins 15th in a row

? Kansas University senior Liz Kocon drove in four runs and became KU’s all-time RBI leader during a 4-0 victory over Wisconsin Saturday morning, and the Jayhawks were crowned champions of the Charleston Southern Tournament.

Kansas (15-2) was originally scheduled to play Wisconsin (6-6) again for the tournament title Saturday afternoon, but inclement weather forced the cancellation of the championship game.

Kocon, who hit a home run in the fifth inning, passed Serena Settlemier’s 2006 RBI record and now has 119 RBIs in her career.

“We are about the team, but you have to stop and be excited about what she’s done individually,” KU coach Megan Smith said. “I told the team I thought it was fitting that she did it with a home run. That’s how I wanted her to do it. Now she can relax and focus on being as productive as she can offensively.”

Freshman Alicia Pille was also instrumental in KU’s 15th victory in a row. Pille struck out eight Badgers in a complete game and pitched her fifth shutout of the year.

It was also Kansas softball’s third tournament championship of the year.

“It’s tough to do, but we’ve just been really focused and locked in to doing what we need to do every day to win,” Smith said. “We’re doing a good job of that, and this weekend we faced tough competition.”

Next up for the Jayhawks is a game against Connecticut at 11 a.m. today in Charleston. That game is not a part of the Charleston Southern Tournament.