KU Softball Advances in Winners Bracket of NCAA Tournament

Despite a rain delay of over an hour and a half, the KU softball team prevailed over Louisville, 1-0, in the opening game of the Columbia Regional in the NCAA Tournament.

The Jayhawks had runners on base all day long but had difficulty capitalizing.  KU had the bases loaded with one out in the second inning and failed to score.  KU also loaded the bases in the sixth inning with no outs and once again, failed to score.  All told, the Jayhawks put 11 runners on base in the 7-inning affair, scoring their single run in the third inning.

SP Alicia Pille was brilliant for the Jayhawks on the afternoon, putting up a line of 7.0 IP, H, BB, 4 K.  (That's a one-hitter for the uninitiated.)  Not a single Cardinal reached third base during the game.

LF Shannon McGinley led KU offensively, going 2-for-3, and made the play of the day on defense.  In the top of the 7th inning, with one out, Kayla Soles of Louisville hit a shot to deep left.  McGinley ran it down and made the play at the wall, catching what would have been a game-tying home run and preserving KU's 1-0 lead.

SS Chaley Brickey scored the lone run for KU and had a good day at the plate as well, going 1/2, R, 2 BB.

KU will get Missouruh tomorrow. The Tiggers defeated Indiana State by a 7-0 score on Friday evening.  The resumption of the Border War is scheduled for 10:00 AM Jayhawk time. The game is scheduled to be broadcast on the SEC Network +, but hopefully you will be able to catch it on ESPN3 (no blackout conditions).

You can for sure follow online on the Jayhawk Radio Network and KUAthletics.com/Radio.  If KU wins tomorrow, they will advance to the championship game on Sunday.  If they lose, they will immediately play again, approximately 30 minutes after the end of their first game.

Follow the tournament with the NCAA's interactive bracket at NCAA.com.