Ames, Iowa ? Daniella Chavez and Chanin Naudin combined for seven RBIs to ignite Kansas University’s softball team in an 11-4 win over Iowa State on Friday.
The victory snapped a five-game losing streak for the Jayhawks, boosted their record to 36-10 overall and 6-10 in the Big 12.
Chavez had a team-high three hits and four RBIs, including her 13th home run of the season. Naudin also blasted a three-run shot for her eighth homer of the season.
“The last two weeks, we’ve faced the two best pitching staffs in the conference and our offense wasn’t as potent as we wished,” KU coach Megan Smith said. “But, today we stuck to the game plan, worked the pitcher really well and came up with clutch hits. So, I am really pleased with our offensive performance.”
Alicia Pille (22-6) went the distance to record the win, allowing four runs on six hits over seven innings, while striking out four and walking five.
“It’s tough at the end of the year to come out and throw seven innings against teams in our conference,” Smith said of Pille’s performance. “She was poised and our offense gave her breathing room. She did a really good job of attacking batters and she did a good job of mixing speeds with her pitches. I was really pleased with her fight today and happy to see her do so well this late in the season.”
“Daniella (Chavez) was great today and came up with some clutch hits,” Smith said. “Every time she steps into the box we feel like she’s going to do something really good for us. All season she has been clutch. She’s not a typical freshman, she steps into the box with confidence and poise, which is so impressive to see.”
The Jayhawks and Cyclones will play again at noon today in Ames, Iowa.
Kansas 104 120 3 — 11 9 2
Iowa St. 020 010 1 — 4 6 0
W — Alica Pille (22-6). L — Stacy Roggentien (12-9).
2B — Chaley Brickey, Daniella Chavez, KU; Gomez, ISU. HR — Chanin Naudin, Daniella Chavez, KU; Cappaert (2), ISU.
KU highlights: Maddie Stein 2-for-2, 3 runs; Daniella Chavez 3-for-5, 4 RBI, HR, run; Chanin Naudin 1-for-4, 3 RBI, HR, run; Chaley Brickey 1-for-3, RBI, 3 runs.
