SACRAMENTO ? The Kansas University softball team used two strong pitching performances and timely big hits to sweep two games Saturday at the Capital Classic.
In the opener, the Jayhawks rallied from an early deficit with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to secure a 3-1 victory against Georgia Southern.
The Eagles nabbed a 1-0 lead in the third inning with an unearned run against KU starter Sarah Vertelka (4-3). But that’s all the freshman right-hander would allow on her way to a complete-game three-hitter.
KU tied the game in the sixth on a solo home run by Stevie Crisosto, then used consecutive doubles by Amanda Jobe and Val Chapple and a Georgia Southern error to close out the scoring.
Jobe was the lone Jayhawk with two hits in the contest.
In the second game, sophomore Val George matched Vertelka with her own three-hitter as KU topped Pittsburgh, 3-0.
Unlike the first game, the Jayhawks struck early courtesy of an RBI single by Elle Pottorf in the top of the first inning.
Erika Simington added a solo homer in the fourth, and the Jayhawks tacked on a final tally in the fifth to close out the scoring.
Crisosto had two hits in the nightcap.
KU (20-8-1) will close out tournament play at 11 a.m. today against Colorado State.
Minneapolis ? The Kansas University volleyball squad continued its strong play at the Nike Invitational, beating Marquette and Dayton Saturday.
The Jayhawks (5-1) swept the Golden Eagles in their first match Saturday, 3-0, then edged the Flyers, 3-2, in the late match.
Junior Ashley Michaels and sophomore Josiane Lima each had 12 kills against Marquette, and senior Sarah Rome added 10 kills. Freshman Janaina Correa had 10 digs.
In the nightcap, Rome had 25 kills and 18 digs, Correa had 20 kills and 13 digs, and junior Ashley Bechard added 65 assists.
“I was very pleased that this team was able to come back from last night’s win and continue to be very consistent,” Kansas head coach Ray Bechard said. “We will continue to be balanced and bring home a few road wins.”
The Jayhawks will play host to Oral Roberts at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Horejsi Center.
Phoenix ? Shortstop John Nelson had five hits and four RBIs on the day, and Doug Lantz picked up two saves as Kansas University’s baseball team won its final two games in the Oakland A’s/Rawlings Spring Training Tournament late Saturday night at Municipal Stadium.
Nelson was 4-for-4 with two triples and two RBIs in the Jayhawks’ 11-8 victory over Northern Iowa, then he went 1-for-2 with two RBIs and three runs in an 11-4 rout of Ball State.
The sweep gave KU coach Bobby Randall career win No. 123 at Kansas, moving him into third place on the KU all-time career coaching victories list.
“We did the things that good teams do to win games,” Randall said after the Jayhawks improved to 6-1. “We were able to score with two outs, we answered all of the rallies with rallies of our own and we threw strikes.”
The Oakland Athletics, who use the field for spring training, reclaimed the field Sunday, forcing Saturday’s late twinbill.
Against UNI, Baldwin native Jake Wright improved to 2-0 by allowing six runs four earned off eight hits over 71/3 innings. Lantz picked up season save No. 3 by recording the final out.
Kevin Wheeler had three hits, while Doug Dreher, Brent Del Chiaro and Matt Tribble each had two hits for the Jayhawks, who led 6-0 after two innings and held on to win despite the fact the Panthers (1-2) scored five runs in the final two innings.
Casey Spanish, Del Chiaro and Jason Appuhn each had two hits against the Cardinals (2-2). Spanish had three RBIs and Del Chiaro had two.
Pete Smart improved to 2-0 by allowing three runs two earned off nine hits over six innings. Lantz allowed a run over the final three frames to record his fourth save.
KU will play host to Rockhurst on Tuesday. Game time for KU’s home opener will be 3 p.m. at Hoglund Ballpark.
