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KU softball had about as good of a final series as you can hope for, sweeping three games in Ames against the Cyclones in dominant fashion. Due to the threat of inclement weather on Sunday, the 'Hawks and 'Clones played a double-header on Saturday.
Friday, May 8 - Kansas 11, @ Iowa State 4
After finding themselves trailing 2-1 going into the third inning, the Kansas offense woke up and posted seven runs over the next three innings to pull away from Iowa State. KU was led offensively by DH Daniella Chavez (3/5, R, 4 RBI). SP Alicia Pille (7.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 4 K) went the distance for the Jayhawks.
Said coach Megan Smith, "The last two weeks, we've faced the two best pitching staffs in the conference and our offense wasn't as potent as we wished. But, today we stuck to the game plan, worked the pitcher really well and came up with clutch hits. So, I am really pleased with our offensive performance."
Saturday, May 9 - Kansas 8, @ Iowa State 2
Once again the Jayhawks found themselves trailing early, but after tying the game up at 2-2 in the fourth inning, KU struck for six runs in the top of the sixth inning. CF Briana Evans (2/3, R, RBI, BB) was the only Jayhawk with a multi-hit game, but it was DH Daniella Chavez (1/2, R, 4 RBI, BB, HR) who stole the show. Chavez passed Serena Settlemier on the single-season RBI list which was set in the 2006 season. The grand slam home run marked Chavez's fourth slam of the year; she also leads the Jayhawks with 14 homers on the season.
Saturday, May 9 - Kansas 10, @ Iowa State 0 (5 innings)
The Jayhawks put up a 4-spot in each of the first two innings on their way to their 11th run-rule win of the 2015 campaign. Kansas has now won 10 in a row against Iowa State. KU was led by DH Daniella Chavez (4/4, 3 R, 3 RBI, HR) who tied the freshman record for home runs in a season with 15. Alicia Pille (5.0 IP, 3 H, BB, 7 K) picked up her second win of the weekend.
Said coach Smith, "Daniella is such a special player. When we recruited Daniella we wanted her to come in and hit for us. We thought she could hit at our level and she sure can. She's impressive, she has great at-bats, she has great demeanor and she listens to everything coach Rittman says. She makes adjustments better than probably any other hitter in our lineup. I am proud of what she has done and she's going to have an unbelievable career here."
Up Next
The Jayhawks will continue their season in the NCAA Softball Tournament. The 'Hawks did not earn a national (top 16) seed and will play Louisville in the Columbia, MO regional on Friday, May 15. Just like the NCAA Baseball Tournament, regionals are double-elimination.
Stay tuned to RCT for a look ahead at the Jayhawks in the NCAA Softball Tournament.