Lubbock, Texas ? Kansas University claimed a run-rule-shortened Big 12 softball shutout from Texas Tech on Saturday.
A day later, the Jayhawks suffered a 4-2 setback and had to settle for a split of the series.
KU, which routed the Red Raiders, 10-0 in six inning on Saturday, fell to 12-21 overall, 2-4 in the Big 12. The Raiders improved to 13-29 and 2-7.
Dougie McCaulley had two hits, and Stevie Crisosto scored both runs for the Jayhawks.
KU led, 2-1, after 41/2 innings, but Tech scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth on three hits and one Kansas error to take a 3-2 edge. TTU made it 4-2 in the sixth on a walk, sacrifice bunt and single sequence.
Junior Sarah Vertelka relieved Kansas starter Val George at the start of the fifth inning and gave up three of Tech’s four runs to take the loss. George struck out five batters and allowed five hits and one run in her four innings.
KU struggled from the plate, getting six hits and stranding eight runners on base, including runners on second and third in the top of the seventh inning.
Crisosto scored the first run of the game in the top of the second inning. After reaching base on a walk and moving to second on a fielder’s choice, Crisosto scored on Kolby Fesmire’s RBI double down the right-field line.
Crisosto scored again when she drew her team-leading 17th walk in the top of the fourth, stole second and advanced to third on a Fesmire single. Then, when the Red Raiders’ catcher attempted to throw out Fesmire stealing second, Crisosto was able to steal home undetected and put KU back up, 2-1.
