4B SPORTS THE UNIVERSITY OF DAILY KANSAS MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2009 SOFTBALL Jayhawks lose three of five games in Jayhawk Invitational Kansas bats come alive but opponents score early and often BY BEN WARD bward@kansan.com Arrocha Ballpark saw its first action of the regular season, as Kansas played host to three clubs in the KU Invitational: North Dakota State, Northern Iowa and Eastern Illinois. The Jayhawks went 2-3 over the weekend and now sit at 9-14 overall. Kansas played hard all weekend, but came away with little to show for it despite showing progress at the plate. The slumping bats of a few weeks ago were long gone, as every batter in the KU lineup saw success at the plate. Coach Tracy Bunge said she knew all along that the team could hit. "Offensively, we looked like I thought we would at the onset of the season." Bunge said. "The bottom part of the order is really putting it together. Girls like Briney Hile, Amanda Jobe and Allie Clark are hitting the ball really well." The Jayhawks have a short week ahead, with only one day of practice scheduled before they take on Missouri State in Springfield, Mo., on Thursday. GAME 1 — FRIDAY :NORTH DAKOTA STATE 5, KANSAS 4 A tough loss to stomach for Kansas, which dropped its home opener to North Dakota State. Trailing 1-0 for most of the afternoon, the Jayhawks rallied for four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and headed into the final frame with a 4-1 lead. But the Bison countered with a four run inning of their own in the seventh, knocking Jayhawk starter Valerie George, senior pitcher, from the game and securing the victory. WP - Padilla (6-2), LP - George (6-6), SV - none, HR - Chnielewski (3) GAME 2 - SATURDAY NORTHERN IOWA 8, KANASS 5 The seventh inning proved troublesome again for the Jayhawks, who suffered another defeat. Kansas led 5-1 heading into the final inning but couldn't hold off the Northern Iowa offense, allowing seven runs to the Panthers. With the late squander the Jayhawks wasted a strong outing from junior pitcher Sarah Vertelka, who fanned seven batters over her six-plus innings of work. Sophomore pitcher Allie Clark, sophomore catcher Brittany Hile and sophomore outfielder Liz Kocon each had two hits for Kansas, accounting for four of the jayhawks five runs. WP - Hucheson (1-0), LP - Blair (0-3), SV - none, HR - Papesh (3); Clark (1) GAME 3 - SATURDAY KANSAS 4, EASTERN ILLINOIS 2 Junior first basenem Amanda Jobe was the star on offense for Kansas with two RBI hits, including a towering home run to center field. The Panther batters mounted several chances against George, but the layhawk ace hung tough, striking out nine and shuttling the door in the seventh for a complete game victory. After the game, Bunge spoke highly of the resiliency of her team. "The day could have gone down the toilet after the first game," she said, "but the team jumped right back in there and really dug deep. I'm really proud of the way they played." WP - George (7-6), LP - May (5-3), SV - none, HR - fobe (1) GAME 4 - SUNDAY KANSAS 12, NORTH DAKOTA STATE 1 Not even the 35 degree temperature could cool down the red-hot jayhawk bats, as they avenged Friday's loss with a victory over the Bisons. Kansas displayed an impressive offensive balance, with every starter tallying at least one of their 15 total hits. Clark had a huge game with six RBI, including a grand slam. Vertelka, donning short sleeves despite the cold weather, had a solid performance and only allowed four hits in the five inning contest. "After North Texas last weekend today was nothing," she said. Last weekend the Jayhawks battled a low of 25 degrees in Denton, Texas. WP - Vertelka (2-2), LP - Parks (2-2), SV - none, HR - Crisotso (1), Clark (2) GAME 5 - SUNDAY :NORTHERN IOWA 9, KANSAS 6 The Jayhawks closed out the KU Invitational by falling to Northern Iowa, 9-6. The Panthers displayed their power once again, with six runs in the second inning, including Kelly Papesh fourth home run of the weekend. George lasted only until the middle of the second inning in the contest. Senior third baseman Val Chapple led the way offensively for Kansas going 3-4 with 3 RBI, but the lead proved too great for the jayhawks to overcome. WP - Tillet (3-2), LP - George (7-7), SV - none, HR - Papesh (6); Chapple (2) - Edited by Jesse Trimble Tyler Waugh/KANSAN Junior pitcher Sarah Vertelkai fires a strike into the catcher's glove during the game against the University of Northern Iowa on Saturday. Verteika had seven strikeouts. --- MLB MLB Rodriguez to be sidelined after hip surgery Monday The New York Yankees slugger will need a second operation after the season, assuming he can play all the way through. Dr. Marc Philippon, who will perform the initial procedure in Colorado, said he's confident Rodriguez will be able to do that once he recovers. TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez's spring training saga took another unexpected turn: He's headed for hip surgery Monday that will sideline him for six to nine weeks — and that's not all. "Well, it's better than him missing the whole year," Yankees manager Joe Giardi said. "It could have been a lot worse." The decision Sunday came after Rodriguez and the Yankees spent the week mulling treatment options for his torn labrum, and it was yet another jolt to the three-time MVP during a tumultuous month in which he admitted using steroids from 2001-03 with Texas. The arthroscopic procedure that was chosen gives Rodriguez a chance to return early this season — general manager Brian Cashman said he expects A-Rod back "sometimes in May." But it also means he'll need another, more extensive operation in the fall. 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