KU Softball Weekly Update: 3.23.15

KU softball continued their winning ways, taking four more games in the Rock Chalk Challenge tournament held at Arrocha Ballpark.  The Jayhawks are now riding a 10-game win streak.

Friday, March 20 - Kansas 13, Eastern Michigan 2 (5 innings)

The Jayhawks bombed their ninth grand-slam of the year in a five-inning run rule defeat of the Screaming Eagles from Ypsilanti.  After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the first, KU exploded for 10 runs in the bottom of the opening frame and coasted from there.  Kansas was led offensively by RF Lily Behrmann (1/2, GS, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB) and DH Daniella Chavez (2/3, R, 2 RBI).  SP Bryn Houlton (5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K) picked up her third win of the year.

Friday, March 20 - Kansas 5, UMKC 2

Senior utility player Maddie Stein tied KU's all-time RBI record at 140 career RBI as KU took an early lead and the 'Roos never really threatened to get back in the game.  1B Maddie Stein (1/2, 2 RBI) and RF Lily Behrmann (1/1, R, 2 BB) led KU offensively.  SP Alicia Pille (7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 7 K) retired the first 10 UMKC hitters of the game on her way to her 14th complete game of the season that moved her record to 16-0.

Saturday, March 21 - Kansas 8, Georgia State 6

KU took an early 4-0 lead in this one, but pesky Georgia State didn't go quietly, even picking up three runs in the top of the 7th inning to make it interesting for SP Alicia Pille (7.0 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 3 BB, 7 K).  Georgia State picked up a 2-run HR in the 7th frame with two outs to get within two runs, but couldn't keep the rally going.  KU was led offensively by DH Daniella Chavez (3/4, 2 R, 4 RBI) and RF Lily Behrmann (2/2, 2 R, RBI, BB).

Sunday, March 21 - Kansas 5, Georgie State 4

Kansas opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning with a three-run bomb from SS Chaley Brickey (1/4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI) but it was 1B Maddie Stein's (1/2, HR, R, RBI, BB) go-ahead blast that was felt in the KU record books.  With the HR, Stein moved into sole possession of KU's career RBI record, and with the win, Coach Megan Smith notched her 300th career win (180 wins at KU).  KU only notched three hits in the contest, but had plenty of baserunners to work with courtesy of 7 walks by the GSU pitching staff.  SP Alicia Pille (7.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 5 BB, 5 K) picked up her 18th win of the year.

Up Next

KU will host Drake on Tuesday evening, March 24, in Arrocha Ballpark before opening Big 12 play by hosting Texas in a weekend series.  The Friday night game against the Longhorns starts at 5 PM, and can be seen on the Jayhawk TV Network/ESPN3.  You can also catch all KU softball games (home and away) on the Jayhawk Radio Network.