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PAGE 10
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015
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Softball sets records in Rock Chalk Challenge sweep
DEREK SKILLETT
@derek_skillett
No. 22 Kansas remained undefeated at home this weekend as it defeated Eastern Michigan, UMKC and Georgia State in the Rock Chalk Challenge at Arrocha Ballpark at Rock Chalk Park. In addition to the Jayhawks expanding their season record to 29-2, a couple Jayhawks recorded some impressive milestones on Sunday.
Sunday was a good day for Kansas senior Maddie Stein and coach Megan Smith. Stein and Smith both set new milestones in Kansas' 5-4 victory against Georgia State.
JAYHAWKS REACH MILESTONES IN SUNDAY'S WIN
Stein, then sitting on 140 career RBIs, claimed the record outright in the fifth inning with a solo home run to give the Jayhawks a 5-4 lead. Stein passed former teammate Maggie Hull-Tietz with her 141st RBI.
MEGAN SMITH
Softball coach
"[Stein] is a great representative of Kansas softball, and for her to be the one that breaks that record makes it even more special."
"It's pretty cool. You don't come into a school saying you are going to do stuff like that.
I have had a lot of people pulling for me and it's really great to accomplish something like that," Stein said, according to a University press release.
Smith put her coaching milestone on the back-burner to celebrate Stein's achievement.
"That was huge for her because she is such a great kid," Smith said, according to a University press release. "She loves Kansas and she has worked really hard. She's not selfish. She loves her teammates and she does anything she can for anyone, including our entire athletic department. She is a great representative of Kansas softball, and for her to be the one that breaks that record makes it even more special."
Stein's fifth-inning home run also gave Smith her 300th career victory as a head coach. Smith is responsible for four, soon to be five, consecutive 30-win seasons at Kansas.
"I'm more excited about Maddie's [record] than my own. But 300 wins, that's awesome," Smith said, according to a press release. "I've been a part of some great programs, great players and great assistant coaches. It's really the players that go out and play for me; it's not about me. I'm really proud to do that here at Kansas because I'm really proud to be a jayhawk and be here at KU."
Junior Chaley Brickey led the offense with one hit, three RBIs and two runs scored. Freshman Daniella Chavez
recorded one hit and one RBL
Stein recorded one hit, one
RBI and one run scored.
Senior Alicia Pille recorded her 18th win as pitcher for the Jayhawks this season. She struck out five batters while allowing six hits and four runs.
JAYHAWKS SWEEP ROCK-CHALK
CHALLENGE
The Jayhawks held strong at home, holding an 8-0 record at Arrocha Ballpark this season.
Kansas began the weekend by defeating Eastern Michigan by a score of 13-2 Friday. The team then followed up that win with a 5-2 victory against UMKC later that day. On Saturday, Kansas had to hold on to earn the first of two weekend victories
against Georgia State. Kansas defeated Georgia State 8-6 on Saturday and 5-4 Sunday morning.
Up next, Kansas will prepare for a midweek matchup against Drake before opening conference play Friday against Texas. Both games will be televised on ESPN3.
"I think we have done what we are supposed to do in nonconference," Smith said, according to a University press release. "We have one more game Tuesday against a really good Drake team, but we have taken care of business in nonconference, which was our goal. Once we get into conference it's a battle every day and so we are ready to fight every single game that we play in nonconference."
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AARON GROENE/KANSAN
Sophomore Lindsay Manning tries to hold onto her lead during the 500-yard freestyle Saturday afternoon at Robinson Gym. Manning conceded the lead to Iowa State's Karyl Clarete in the second-to-last lap of the race. Kansas won its duel against Iowa State is 169-131.
Chelsie Miller makes waves at NCAA championships
in the final meet of the season. Junior Chelsie Miller qualified for the NCAA Championships in three events: the 1,650-yard freestyle, the 400-yard individual medley and the 200-yard individual medley.
Just when the NCAA tournament for men's basketball is heating up, the NCAA Championship for swimming and diving is cooling down.
Only one Jayhawk competed in the final meet of the season.
AMIE JUST
@Amie_Just
This wasn't the Houston native's first time at the big dance. She qualified last season and earned All-American status in the 400-yard individual medley with a 15th place finish.
This season, her best finish was in the 400-yard individual medley, where she finished 13th, besting her appearance from last season. She finished with a time of 4:08.77, her second fastest time of the season.
"This is all a process of learning how to swim at a high level, and Chelsia has definitely made strides over the last year," coach Clark Campbell said after her race Friday. "It's definitely good to see the growth over one year, especially with next year being an Olympic year."
On Saturday, Miller finished 29th in the 1,650-yard freestyle in a time of 16:17.02. She finished eight seconds slower than her showing at the championships last season.
Miller placed 55th in the 200-yard IM Thursday, finishing with a time of 1:59.97. The sub-two minute time was not her career best, but was among some of her best times. Miller's best time in the event was clocked at the 2015 Big 12 Championships.
"I can't wait to get going." Campbell said of next season. "The team will get another week off and then getting ready for summer on March 30. In the short term, we're looking towards the summer, but next year begins now. How we do this summer will segway into the collegiate season."
AARON GROENE/KANSAN
Swimmers in the 200-yard individual medley streamline into the water. The medley consists of the butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle. Junior Chelsi Miller of Kansas won the event, helping Kansas defeat Iowa State 169-131 in its duel Saturday at Robinson Gym. AARUN GRUELNE/KANSAN
The season may be over, but Campbell is looking forward to what comes next.
Edited by Samantha Darling
this was the last time Kansas fans will see him in a Kansas uniform. Oubre said he isn't thinking about that right now, and he's focused on being a student athlete for the University of Kansas.
BBALL FROM PAGE 12
"After the game, it's all a blur," Oubre said. "Right now, I'm focusing on my team and staying behind our brothers."
But some have to believe that the recent NBA draft boards
For all the Kansas fans disappointed in the loss, look at the bright side. Kansas will
Despite another devastating loss in the NCAA tournament, this Kansas team will look really good next season. Even if Oubre leaves, Kansas will return four of five starters, and Frank Mason III will enter his second season as the starting point guard.
show Oubre going in the top 10 of the draft, and it is hard for kids to pass that up.
be hungry for another run at the NCAA tournament, and this group knows what it takes to advance to the second weekend.
"It hurts because we know that this team won't ever be together again," Lucas said. "Once we start looking at the future, there will be more talk about not letting this happen again."
Edited by Kelsi Kirwin