“I’m definitely not a home run hitter,” Wright said. “If I’m lucky, I’ll hit one. Usually, the only time is when the pitcher makes a mistake.”

Wichita State pitcher Renee Slatier made the mistake Wednesday, allowing a three-run homer to Wright only her second of the season that enabled Kansas to sweep the Shockers at Jayhawk Field.

After Kansas run-ruled WSU, 8-0, in the opener, Wright’s blast over the right centerfield fence in the third inning proved decisive in a 3-1 victory.

Wright, a sophomore from Tucson, Ariz., isn’t a regular. She has started about half the Jayhawks’ game at either shortstop or second base. On Wednesday, she sat out the opener, then spelled regular Amy Hulse at second base in the nightcap.

Casey Wilson/Journal-World Photo

“It’s probably hurt me,” Wright said about her part-time status, “but I’m the type of person who waits for a chance. I’ve been off and on all year.”

Wright isn’t the only one. The Jayhawks have been spotty hitters all spring. For instance, they hit .258 as a team against non-conference foes this season, but are hitting only .185 against Big 12 opponents.

Wednesday’s twinbill was the season home finale, meaning it was the last home game for seniors Katie Malone, Christy McPhail, Melanie DeWinter, Heather Sims and Sarah Clopton.

Only Clopton, the Jayhawks’ No. 1 hurler, didn’t play. Coach Tracy Bunge was resting her for this weekend’s series at Oklahoma.

“She has some forearm tightness and I was trying to give her three straight days off,” Bunge said, “but the other two pitchers performed well.”

Both DeWinter and Kelly Campbell pitched two-hitters against the struggling Shockers (16-35). All four hits were singles.

Meanwhile, Kansas clubbed 17 hits against Slatier and Courtney Crumbliss. Stanwix had four hits a double and three singles.

“It was nice,” said Stanwix about playing for the last time at Jayhawk Field. “I’ve been struggling so it was nice to get some hits.”

Stanwix, a Lawrence High product, boosted her average from .236 to .253 by going 4-for-6.

Kansas is 30-27 overall, but only 5-9 in the Big 12 with single games against league juggernaut Oklahoma scheduled on Saturday and Sunday followed by a doubleheader at Nebraska a week from Friday.

“The kids are capable,” Bunge said about the upcoming gantlet. “Hopefully, today gave them some confidence.”

Stanwix, Malone, McPhail and Shelly Musser had two hits apiece in Wednesday’s first game. Malone doubled and drove in three runs while McPhail doubled and had two RBI.

Musser went 3-for-7 on the day to boost her team-leading batting average from .309 to .315. Musser is the only Jayhawk hitting over .300.