Which Kansas University softball player leads the team in runs scored?

It’s Crisosto.

KU’s junior shortstop and leadoff hitter scored three more runs Thursday night as the Jayhawks disposed of Wichita State, 8-0 and 4-0, at Arrocha Ballpark.

“She’s an atypical leadoff hitter,” KU coach Tracy Bunge said of Crisosto, “but she’s doing a great job.”

Richard Gwin

Crisosto is atypical because she’s a right-handed hitter. Most softball leadoff hitters bat left-handed and slap at the ball. Like McCaulley.

“People ask me why I don’t switch them,” Bunge said, “but we found out last year that Stevie’s on-base percentage went up when she led off an inning.”

Meanwhile, McCaulley hit only .268 while batting leadoff last spring.

“Dougie told us she wasn’t comfortable batting leadoff,” Bunge said, “but we used her there anyway, and the results weren’t what we wanted.”

So Bunge moved Crisosto out of the No. 3 hole to the top of the order this season and dropped McCaulley to No. 2. In those roles, both players are getting on base with regularity – McCaulley with hits and Crisosto with a combination of hits and a team-high 31 walks.

Curiously, Crisosto was the only KU regular to hit over .300 last spring, while this season she has the lowest batting average among the regulars.

“I feel I can be more picky batting leadoff,” Crisosto said, “and as long as I get on, I’m helping the team.”

Crisosto also helped the Jayhawks in Thursday’s opener with her fifth home run of the season and her third in the last 11 games.

“Even though her batting average is not great,” Bunge said, “Stevie’s average the last month is much better than it was in the first six weeks.”

Freshman rightfielder Liz Kocon also homered in the first game, and McCaulley had three hits, including her first triple of the season.

Valerie George went the first five innings to pick up her 17th win in 24 decisions. George allowed only one hit and fanned eight.

In the second game, freshman right-hander Allie Clark relieved starter Sarah Vertelka after two innings and allowed just three singles the rest of the way to boost her record to 6-3.

Wichita State out-hit the Jayhawks, 6-5, but KU drew six walks – two by Crisosto – off starter and loser Jamie Hull.

Notes: Former Free State High standout Jamie Stanclift played first base in both games and collected the Shockers’ only extra-base hit, a second-inning double in the nightcap. : Thursday’s second game was the first scheduled contest played under Arrocha’s lights installed early this spring. : KU (34-15) is 25-1 when it scores four or more runs. :WSU’s record dipped to 28-23. : KU will play host to Oklahoma State on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.