Ames, Iowa ? Kansas University freshman designated player Daniella Chavez hit a record-setting grand slam in the opener, then went 4-for-4 with another homer in the nightcap to help the Jayhawks sweep a Big 12 softball doubleheader with Iowa State on Saturday.
With the 8-2 and 10-0 victories, KU completed a three-game sweep of the Cyclones to conclude the regular season.
“Sweeps in conference (play) are really difficult because every conference team is tough, and everybody is fighting to win those games. Specifically the last weekend of the year, it’s even tougher,” KU coach Megan Smith said. “The last two weekends have been pretty rough, so for us to come out, be locked in and attack Iowa State for three straight games is a big deal for our team. I am really proud of the effort from all of our players this weekend.”
In Game One, Chavez became KU’s single-season RBI record-holder after her grand slam gave her 62 RBIs on the season. The old mark of 61 was set in 2006 by Serena Settlemier.
It was Chavez’s fourth grand slam and 14th home run of the season.
Sophia Templin (5-2) earned the win in relief after throwing four scoreless innings.
Chavez added her school-freshman-record-tying 15th homer in Game Two and drove in three more runs. For the series, she hit .727, with three home runs and 11 RBIs.
“Daniella is such a special player,” Smith said. “When we recruited Daniella, we wanted her to come in and hit for us. We thought she could hit at our level, and she sure can. … She makes adjustments better than probably any other hitter in our lineup. I am proud of what she has done, and she’s going to have an unbelievable career here.”
Alicia Pille (23-6) earned the win in Game Two after scattering three hits in a full run-rule-shortened five innings.
KU improved to 38-13 overall, 8-10, while ISU fell to 26-28 and 3-15.
Kansas will learn its NCAA Tournament fate during the selection show starting at 9 tonight on ESPNU (WOW! channels 35, 235).
First Game
Kansas 000 206 0 — 8 9 1
Iowa State 020 000 0 — 2 9 0
W — Sophia Templin, 5-2. L — Stacy Roggentien, 12-10.
2B — Jessie Roane, KU. HR -Daniella Chavez, KU.
Kansas highlights — Chavez 1-for-2, R, 4 RBIs; Briana Evans 2-for-3, R, RBI; Templin 4 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.
Second Game
Kansas 440 02 — 10 9 1
Iowa State 000 00 — 0 3 1
W — Alicia Pille, 23-6. L — Brianna Weilbacher, 5-8.
2B — Maddie Stein, KU. HR — Daniella Chavez, KU.
Kansas highlights — Chavez 4-for-4, 3 R, 3 RBIs; Stein 2-for-3, 3 R; PIlle 5 IP, 3 H, 0R, 1 BB, 7 Ks.
