If you were planning to go to Jayhawk Field today to watch Kansas and Iowa State play softball, stay home and enjoy your Easter ham.
The two teams played a doubleheader on Saturday, Kansas winning the opener, 4-2, and the nightcap, 3-0.
The two-game series was originally scheduled for one game Saturday and another today, but due to the high probability of rain predicted for Sunday, both coaches agreed to a Saturday twinbill.
The decision, made approximately two hours before game time, also pushed up Senior Day festivities that had been planned for this afternoon.
Shortstop Christy McPhail in particular.
McPhail, a Santa Fe Trail High product, had two hits in each game, including a double and a triple. Her three-run double in the bottom of the sixth of the opener proved decisive.
“(McPhail) has been phenomenal the last couple weeks,” KU coach Tracy Bunge said. “She has been playing more consistently than she’s played all four years.”
Melanie DeWinter, another senior, pitched a four-hit shutout in the second game. Seniors drove in all three runs. Katie Malone tripled home two and Heather Sims doubled in the other.
“It was really fun to see the seniors do so well today,” Bunge said.
KU’s four-run rally in the opener started innocuously when Amy Hulse reached first on an error with two outs. Then Courtney Wright singled and Megan Urquhart walked to load the bases.
Minutes later, McPhail belted a three-run double down the left field line and then scored on another error.
Sarah Clopton (15-11) earned the victory, allowing seven hits and fanning four. In the second game, DeWinter improved her record to 7-15.
Kansas climbed to 5-9 in the Big 12 and 28-27 overall. Iowa State slid to 15-23 and 3-12.
“We’ve dug ourselves in a hole with so many conference losses, but with two wins today we’ve got some confidence.”
Kansas will entertain Wichita State in 3 p.m. twinbill on Wednesday, then go to Big 12 leader Oklahoma this weekend.
