SACRAMENTO ? Kansas University’s softball team fell to the Sacramento State, 7-4, Tuesday. KU attempted a seventh-inning comeback, but fell one big hit short.
With the loss, the Jayhawks went 4-2 in their West Coast road trip and fell to 1-3 all-time against Sacramento State.
KU (21-9-1) built an early 1-0 lead in the first inning when sophomore Dougie McCaulley reached on an error by the Hornets second baseman. Two batters later, sophomore Stevie Crisosto stepped to the plate and ripped a shot to right-center, brining McCaulley home. Crisosto’s hit ensured that her hitting streak would reach nine games.
Sophomore Erika Simington’s second-career home run in the second inning gave the Jayhawks a 2-0 advantage. The homer to deep center was Simington’s second home run in her last three at-bats.
Following a second-inning score by Sacramento State, KU scored again in the third inning. Crisosto’s second double of the game put her in scoring position for senior Kassie Humphreys. Humphreys’ liner through the left side scored Crisosto for the 3-1 lead.
Beginning in the third inning the Sacramento State bats came alive as they scored once in the third and hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning to grab a 5-3 lead. The scoring continued in the fifth inning for the Hornets as they tacked on two more runs to gain a four run advantage.
Following a brief rain delay, KU loaded the bases in the seventh inning but could only manage one run. Kansas used three pitchers in the game, starting was sophomore Valerie George, freshman Sarah Vertelka (4-4) pitched in the third and fourth innings, and Humphreys finished the ballgame.
The Jayhawks will return to action Saturday at Oklahoma State for their Big 12 Conference opener.
