LUBBOCK, TEX. ? Desperate to end a five-game losing streak, the Kansas University softball team turned to senior Kassie Humphreys on Saturday.
She took care of business – and not just in the circle.
Humphreys threw a one-hitter and also added her seventh career homer at the plate as the Jayhawks knocked off Texas Tech, 4-1, in Big 12 Conference action, extending KU’s winning streak in the series to eight games.
The Red Raiders (18-22 overall, 1-8 Big 12) actually got to Humphreys first, scoring their lone run in the bottom of the first when leadoff batter Ashley Parker walked, stole both second and third, and came home on a passed ball by KU catcher Tiffany Craner.
Humphreys personally answered in the top of the second, leading off with a solo homer, her fourth of the season. It was KU’s first homer since an April 1 game against Baylor, and the Jayhawks’ first run since an April 8 contest against Texas.
KU (28-18-1, 4-8) took the lead and closed out the scoring in the fifth courtesy of a leadoff single by freshman second baseman Sara Ramirez, two errors and an RBI single by freshman first baseman Amanda Jobe.
The rally allowed the Jayhawks to win a game in which they failed to score first for the first time since a March 17 triumph against Georgia State.
Humphreys (14-10) finished with 11 strikeouts, her most since the April 8 game with the Longhorns.
KU will close out its weekend series at Tech at noon today.