Stanley lights timely spark for KU

By Scott Tittrington Mar 12, 2006

Megan True

Kansas University pitcher Kassie Humphreys delivers to Portland State's Laura Segall as she attempts to bunt in the third inning. The Jayhawks lost to the Vikings, 2-1 in eight innings, Saturday at Arrocha Ballpark. KU rebounded to beat Eastern Michigan, 1-0, in the following game.

As one of Kansas University’s two first-team selections on last season’s All-Big 12 softball team, Heather Stanley was half the answer to a trivia question posed to the crowd Saturday afternoon at Arrocha Ballpark.

Moments later, she did what such players are expected to do when she made the big play when her team was down and most in need of it.

Stanley’s two-out double in the bottom of the fifth inning not only broke up a no-hit bid by Eastern Michigan’s Michelle Lloyd, but also drove in the lone run in KU’s 1-0 victory, allowing the Jayhawks to salvage a split for the second consecutive day at the Jayhawk Classic.

“It was a big relief, but I still don’t know if it’s taken any pressure off our shoulders,” Stanley said. “We’re still in our own heads. We’re not getting it done. But in this game, it was a big relief.”

Stanley’s honest assessment of her big moment best sums up the collective mood surrounding the KU program as the midpoint of the 2006 season rapidly approaches.

Megan True

Freshman third baseman Val Chappel fields a ground ball, but a bad throw to first base allows the tying run on base in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Simply put, the Jayhawks are in a funk.

After going 1-1 Friday on the opening day of tournament play, KU (13-12) knew it would fare no better on day two when a controversial finish resulted in a 2-1 loss to Portland State in eight innings.

The Vikings pushed across the winning run in the bottom half of the extra frame when, following a crazy sequence that led to an errant throw near the backstop and a runner breaking for home, the home-plate umpire called KU pitcher Kassie Humphreys for obstruction.

The wacky ending ruined a strong performance by the Jayhawks’ junior right-hander, who allowed just two hits and struck out nine. In addition to the disputed finish, she also was undone by a shaky defense that committed three errors and an offense that failed to capitalize on a handful of good opportunities and stranded seven runners.

“We’re struggling right now. We’re struggling a little bit with our confidence. It’s one of those things where the kids are pressing,” said KU coach Tracy Bunge, before finding the silver lining. “We got great pitching today. That’s obviously going to keep us in ballgames and give us a chance to win.”

Megan True

Senior shortstop Destiny Frankenstein safely slides into third base after hitting a triple against Portland State at the top of the fourth inning.

Senior righty Serena Settlemier picked up where Humphreys left off, tossing a two-hit shutout in the nightcap. The only serious trouble came in top of the fifth, when a leadoff double and a wild pitch with one out put Eastern Michigan just 60 feet away from breaking the 0-0 deadlock.

However, Settlemier escaped the jam, and Stanley delivered her timely hit in the bottom half.

“It was a run to relax on,” Settlemier said. “It makes you go out on the mound and relax a little more and have fun. I think that’s what we’re missing right now, is having fun.”

While a 2-2 mark after two days of home tournament play isn’t ideal, KU does have the opportunity to close out the three-day affair on a positive note.

With one victory over Minnesota already, the Jayhawks will battle the Golden Gophers again at noon today.

It’s their final home date before flying to Honolulu for the University of Hawaii Invitational starting Friday.

“A win (today) would be big big-time for us,” Stanley said. “Minnesota’s a strong ballclub. If we beat them twice, it says a lot for us.”