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The Jayhawk softball squad rebounded from, well, what quite frankly was an awful showing against Texas (26-9, 3-0) last weekend to bounce back and sweep Oklahoma State (17-21, 1-5) in Stillwater. Oklahoma (32-5, 6-0) and Baylor (27-7, 5-1) remain on top of the seven-team Big 12.
Thursday, April 2 - Kansas 7, @ Oklahoma State 6
Kansas fell into a 4-0 hole early in this one as OSU struck in the first inning, but the Jayhawks scored 5 runs in the 6th inning and two more in the 7th to break KU's three-game losing streak. The victory gave Kansas its fifth-straight 30-win season under sixth-year head coach Megan Smith. SP Alicia Pille (7.0 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, BB, 6 K) got knocked around in the first inning but managed to right the ship and go the distance to pick up her 17th complete game of the year. KU was led offensively by 1B Maddie Stein (3/4, R) and 2B Lily Behrmann (2/4, R, RBI).
Friday, April 3 - Kansas 10, @ Oklahoma State 5
KU struck early and often in this one, building a 7-2 lead through the first four innings and cruising to victory. The KU offense was bolstered by OSU pitchers walking 8 hitters during the contest. Kansas was led offensively by SS Chaley Brickey (3/4, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB) who led off the game with a solo home run, and C Jessie Roane (3/4, R, RBI). OSU pitchers seemed especially terrified by RF Lily Behrmann (0/0, 2 R, 4 BB) who picked up half of the free passes issued by OSU pitching. Two KU pitchers combined to hold OSU to 5 R (3 ER) on 9 H, and 3 BB with 4 K.
Saturday, April 4 - Kansas 3, @ Oklahoma State 2 (8 innings)
In KU's third extra-inning affair of the season, the Jayhawks emerged victorious, moving KU to 3-0 in extra-inning games and to 32-5 on the year. Each team collected 7 hits during the affair, but it was DH Daniella Chavez's clutch knock in the top of the eighth inning that was the difference. KU was led offensively by SS Chaley Brickey (2/3, R, RBI, BB). SP Alicia Pille (6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 8 K) had a strong outing, with Sophia Templin (2.0 IP, BB, 3 K) picking up the win in relief.
Said Coach Megan Smith, "Last week was disappointing for us. We told our players in conference play that sometimes that happens and you have to be ready to bounce back. For us to come to Oklahoma State and sweep here, I am really proud of our players. They worked hard at practice, were committed and believed they could. It's a great feeling and the first time we've won the series in Stillwater since I've been here."
Up Next
Kansas will travel to Texas Tech (16-23, 0-6) for a three-game weekend series to continue what will end up being an 8-game road trip. You can catch all KU softball games (home and away) on the Jayhawk Radio Network.