WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2002
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3B
Pitcher enjoys season on and off field
By Ali Brox
Kansan sportswriter
When Kirsten Milhoan pitches the screams for "K" aren't just for strikeouts — they're for her. The junior pitcher, known on the softball field simply as K, earned the nickname from the first coach who considered her a pitcher, Steve Collier.
"It stuck, especially when I got to El Paso," Milhoan said. "That's when it became an everyday thing. That's part of why the girls in El Paso liked it so much because I struck a lot of people out when I was there. And they used to chant K when I was pitching if I had two strikes."
In addition to her nickname, Milhoan is also known for her signature sunglasses. When she's on the mound, it's pretty much assured that she'll have her wrap-around sunglasses on as well.
"I always wear sunglasses everyday," Milhoan said. "I really do have somewhat sensitive eyes, I tear up on bright days if I don't wear sunglasses, but then it's also become such habit that even when it's not so bright I still feel
like I need them because I'm so used to wearing them."
Milhoan has pitched well recently. She threw a three-hitter against Oklahoma during the weekend, but was matched in a pitcher's duel and suffered the 2-0 complete-game loss.
She said she was in the zone against Texas Tech and argued with coach Tracy Bunge as to why she deserved to finish the game. After telling Bunge she would get it done in the seventh, Milhoan faced four batters with the only runners reaching on errors. She salvaged the shut-out she had going and put Kansas in the position to win the game 1-0 in the bottom of the seventh.
"Usually in warm-up if I'm throwing really bad I'll have a good game," Milhoan said. "For me it's something that kind of happens from the first inning, but I might not notice it until the game's been going a little bit and then I realize I'm in a really good rhythm."
Milhoan attributes her success to relaxing and just letting things happen.
She has always read pitching charts but now that is done the
day before the game instead of game-day.
"I'm warming up a little bit less," Milhoan said. "I'm not thinking about it so much. The day of the game I try to forget about a lot of it, just keep a couple main things in mind, but I keep a little bit more pressure off myself that way."
In addition to having a good season on the field, Milhoan has had a good spring season off the field. Her boyfriend, Shane Grebel, proposed to her in February while the team was playing in Las Vegas. She said she suspected the proposal was coming, but Milhoan had no idea it would happen in Nevada.
"Our friends tease us because they say they don't know many people who fly off to Vegas to get engaged." Milhoan said.
When the Jayhawks face Nebraska today in Lincoln, Milhoan is expected to pitch at least one of the two games. She has had the most success against Nebraska recently of anyone on staff.
"It's one of those gut coach decisions but with the way she's been pitching lately I want to give her the ball and see what happens," Bunge said.
CHRISTINA NEFF/KANSAN
Junior Kirsten Milhoan, known by teammates as simply "K," pitches at Jayhawk Field. The team hopes to improve its 29-21 record with a double header today at Nebraska.
Contact Brox at abrox@kansan.
com. This story was edited by Kristi Henderson.
Softball team has Nebraska doubleheader
Pitcher's record good against Cornhuskers, coach looks to offense
"We need to do a good job of not chasing the ball off the plate," Bunge said. "We need to be disciplined but aggressive when their pitchers are inside the zone."
By Ali Brox Kansan sportswriter
The key for the Kansas softball team today against No. 4 Nebraska will be forcing the Cornhuskers to pay for any mistakes they make and to get back on track offensively, coach Tracy Bunge said.
The Jayhawks (29-21 overall, 5-9 Big 12 Conference) will play a doubleheader at 6 p.m. in Lincoln.
Leah Tabb
Senior left fielder Christi Musser leads the team with a .364 average, 31 runs, 27 RBI and seven homers. Senior outfielder Leah Tabb paces the Jayhawks in conference games with a Big 12-best .382 average in league games.
Kansas looks to start the scoring early and get in a comfort zone as the Jayhawks play better when the team is relaxed, junior pitcher Kirsten Milhoan said.
"I think the biggest thing is just having fun," Milhoan said. "So long as we go out there relaxed. It's their senior day, so that's a little inspiration."
"I've thrown to Nebraska a lot," Milboan said. "I've thrown to them probably more than anyone on our team. They're good hitters. They are very aggressive."
Milhoan, 6-4 with a 1.66 ERA, will throw at least one game of the doubleheader for the Jayhawks. Bunge said Milhoan had been successful against Nebraska and had been pitching well recently.
They don't take a lot of strikes. And they'll catch you if you make a mistake."
Nebraska (39-9 overall, 8-4 Big 12) won the last meeting between the teams 6-3 in the Capital Classic in Sacramento, Calif., on March 16. The Cornhuskers, third in the league standings, are led offensively by Kim Ogee with a .378 average.
On the mound, the Cornhuskers' Peaches James owns an 18-5 record with a 1.21 ERA, while Leigh Ann Walker is 20-4 with a 1.89 ERA.
Contact Brox at abrox@kansan.com. This story was edited by Sarah Smarsh.
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