Nationally ranked and riding a 10-game winning streak, Kansas University’s softball team picked a poor time to put out what coach Megan Smith described as the Jayhawks’ worst effort of the season.
Texas rolled, 6-0, in KU’s Big 12 opener Friday night at the new Arrocha Ballpark, at Rock Chalk Park, where the No. 22 Jayhawks never really looked like themselves.
The top of the first inning lasted nearly 20 minutes for Kansas (29-3) and senior pitcher Alicia Pille. She walked two batters and surrendered a fielder’s choice before UT’s Erin Shireman smashed a three-run homer into the parking lot behind the left-field wall. Marlee Gabaldon drove in a fourth Texas run with a single to left, following a throwing error by KU shortstop Chaley Brickey.
“The Big 12’s tough, but we didn’t show up today. Bottom line,” Smith said. “I was really disappointed with our lack of effort and lack of grit.”
Pille (18-1), who suffered her first loss of the season, left after the second inning, when the Longhorns’ Lindsey Stephens plated a fifth Texas run on a sacrifice fly to deep right field.
Smith had no concerns about her ace’s health.
“She just gave away a couple bases and threw a fat pitch, and that’s what happens at this level,” the KU coach said.
Kansas at least salvaged something positive out of an otherwise forgettable night: Sophomore pitcher Sophia Templin replaced Pille and set career highs with five innings pitched and eight strikeouts — blowing away her previous marks of 32/3 IP and two strikeouts.
Smith called the De Soto product fearless against Texas (21-9).
“I think the rest of our team was fearful the entire game for some reason,” Smith said. “But (Templin)? No way. (She) was confident and went right at ’em. I’m really proud of her effort.”
The right-handed reliever said every appearance she has made in her KU career prepared her for the stressful situation. She just wished the Jayhawks had all better channeled their energy.
“I think we were really excited,” Templin said after KU was shut out for the second time this season. “We were ready to play, but possibly overplaying. We were just ready to go.”
Game 2 of the series begins at 2 this afternoon.
Texas 410 001 0 — 6 8 1
Kansas 000 000 0 — 0 4 1
W — Erica Wright, 9-4. L — Alicia Pille, 18-1.
2B — Stephanie Wong (2), Texas. HR — Erin Shireman, Texas.
KU highlights — Sophia Templin, 5.0 IP, 8 Ks, 4 Hs, 1 BB, 1 ER.
John YoungTexas broke open a close game with three late runs and defeated Kansas University, 5-0, in the Jayhawks’ Big 12 softball opener Thursday at Arrocha Ballpark.
Alicia Pille (7-4) limited Texas to two unearned runs through five innings, but the Longhorns scored twice in the sixth and once in the seventh.
Texas All-American Blaire Luna (16-1) yielded just two KU hits and struck out nine in six innings.
“Overall, Pille had a pretty good start,” KU coach Megan Smith said. “We intentionally walked some people for strategy reasons — and it worked. She just had too many walks to people we shouldn’t have walked, but overall I think she had a strong performance. She handled their best hitters. There were a few slip-ups from her but overall pretty good.”
Senior left fielder Maggie Hull extended her hitting streak to 15 games, and junior center fielder Alex Jones had an infield single for KU’s only hits against Luna and senior reliever Kim Bruins.
“We needed key hits and we didn’t get them,” Smith said. “One swing here or there, it could’ve been a close game early. We just didn’t get those clutch hits. We had a good game plan, didn’t necessarily execute it well and we’re hoping to do that tomorrow. (Luna) was tough today, hats off to her.”
Kansas (21-8, 0-1) and Texas (30-4, 3-0) will play a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. today at Arrocha Ballpark.
Texas 5, Kansas 0
Texas 010 102 1 — 5 7 1
Kansas 000 000 0 — 0 2 3
W — Blaire Luna (16-1). L — Alicia Pille (7-4).
KU highlights — Alex Jones 1-for-3; Maggie Hull 1-for-3.
