Kansas City, Mo. ? Sophomore Sarah Vertelka pitched six strong innings to help Kansas University’s softball team snap a five-game losing streak with a 10-2 victory Tuesday over UMKC. Freshman Allie Clark and junior Val George combined for seven innings of one-hit ball in the nightcap as the Jayhawks completed the sweep, 7-0.
Kansas improved to 32-15. UMKC dropped to 8-26.
The Jayhawks return home to Arrocha Ballpark for the first time in six games Thursday when they welcome Wichita State in a pair of nonconference games. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Heading into the top of the sixth inning of Tuesday’s opener, KU held a 5-2 lead, but a three-run home run by senior Betsy Wilson jump-started a five run rally that pushed the Jayhawks ahead by eight to earn the run-rule. After Wilson’s homer, her fourth round-tripper this season, sophomore Ally Stanton scored on an errant UMKC throw to first base and junior Dougie McCaulley hit into an RBI groundout.
In the nightcap, Clark (6-3) tossed five innings to record the win, giving up just one Kangaroo hit and no walks. George pitched the final two innings.
Las Vegas ? Kansas University’s softball team got off to a strong start in the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic, beating Oregon, 6-1, and Portland State, 3-2, in first-day action Friday.
Kansas improved to 7-1 on the season.
The Jayhawks were carried by the pitching of Sarah Vertelka in the opening game against Oregon. The sophomore scattered just three hits in seven innings of work, striking out six. She improved to 4-0 on the season.
Betsy Wilson slugged a home run to help the offense, which featured Kansas scoring in five different innings.
KU jumped to a 3-0 lead against Portland State thanks to home runs by Ally Stanton and Brittany Hile. Portland State tried to come back late, but Allie Clark pitched out of the jam and earned the save.
Kansas continues tournament play at 11 a.m. today against BYU.
