KU softball beats OSU for milestone win

Kansas University softball coach Megan Smith collected her 200th career win as KU took down Oklahoma State, 3-2, Saturday at Arrocha Ballpark.

Smith, the Jayhawks’ third-year head coach, deflected praise to her players, who won their first back-to-back Big 12 Conference games since 2009. Kansas defeated OSU, 1-0, on Friday.

“It means a lot,” Smith said of her milestone. “Conference wins have been hard to come by recently for us. So for this to come in a conference win at home is big. I didn’t even know it. I had forgotten. It’s all about the girls, the players that come out and work hard for me every day. The wins are theirs.”

After starting pitcher Kristin Martinez gave up a run in the first inning, Smith turned to Morgan Druhan, who pitched five innings while giving up just two hits and one run for the win. Alicia Pille closed out the seventh inning for the save.

Oklahoma State pitcher Simone Freeman allowed just three hits in six complete innings, but sisters Maggie and Rosie Hull made those few KU hits count. The pair combined to drive in all three KU runs, which came in the third inning. Rosie started the inning with a sacrifice fly that drove in Chanin Naudin. Maggie followed it up with a two-run home run, which drove in Elsa Moyer.

Chelsea Garcia led the OSU offense, going 3-for-4 with one RBI. Shelby Davis had the Cowgirls’ only other RBI. KU allowed five hits total to Oklahoma State batters.

The Jayhawks (22-5 overall, 2-3 Big 12) will try to sweep the Cowgirls (15-12, 0-2) in the series finale at noon today.