No-hitter no fun for KU

By Ryan Wood Apr 14, 2003

Aaron Lindberg/Journal-World Photo

Kansas pitcher Kara Pierce hurls a pitch against Texas A&M. Pierce's pitching counterpart, Lindsay Wilhelmson, no-hit the Jayhawks Sunday in the Aggies' 5-0 victory at Jayhawk Field.

Kansas University softball coach Tracy Bunge is asking for a little help from anyone willing.

“If someone can talk to the softball gods,” Bunge said, “I’d appreciate it.”

Bunge’s team had a depressing Sunday. Texas A&M’s Lindsay Wilhelmson threw a no-hitter as the Aggies posted a 5-0 victory at Jayhawk Field.

It’s the second time in a week the Jayhawks were held without a hit. Nebraska’s Peaches James shut down the Jayhawks in an 8-0 win Wednesday.

Kansas lost both games of the two-game set with A&M and dropped to 22-15 overall and 2-9 in the Big 12 Conference. Texas A&M improved to 30-14 and 8-4.

Aaron Lindberg/Journal-World Photo

KU's Destiny Frankenstein (9) and Nettie Fierros try to catch Texas A&M's Cheryl Fowler in a rundown. The Aggies knocked off the Jayhawks, 5-0, Sunday at Jayhawk Field.

“We’re going to keep at it,” Bunge said. “We need to get our feet back under us. They’re not quitting.”

Certainly, the Jayhawks didn’t play dead Sunday. Several times well-hit ball by were ill-placed, and the A&M defense had a solid day behind Wilhelmson.

Wilhelmson even helped her own cause. With Sylvia Pfeiffer at third base with two outs in the third inning, KU freshman Destiny Frankenstein hit a rope that nearly drilled Wilhelmson in the face. Wilhelmson managed to get her glove on it, knock it down and throw out Frankenstein at first.

It was just that kind of day for Texas A&M … and Kansas, for that matter.

“She pitched great,” A&M coach Jo Evans said of Wilhelmson. “She came out and really got ahead of hitters. She only had two pitches out over the plate today.”

A&M’s Adrian Gregory hit a solo home run in the third. The Aggies added two runs more in the fifth on a Jana James single and two more in the sixth on a double by Cheryl Fowler.

KU junior Kara Pierce (14-10) suffered the loss, giving three earned runs in five innings of work. Senior Kirsten Milhoan was perfect in relief, a rare bright spot for the struggling Jayhawks.

“She strung two solid innings together,” Bunge said. “We need that from her.”

Kansas will play host to Arkansas in a non-conference doubleheader Wednesday at Jayhawk Field. KU will travel this weekend to Austin, Texas, to face No. 5-ranked Texas.