PAGE 8
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2011
SOFTBALL
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Pitchers, hitters shine in two home victories
Senior catcher Leah Daibler high fives her teammates after scoring a run during Sunday's game against Butler County Community College at Arrocha Ballpark. The Jayhawks won 8-0.
ASHLEIGH LEE/KANSAN
ASHLEIGH LEE alee@kansan.com
The Jayhawk pitchers heated up Arrocha Ballpark yesterday afternoon with 19 strikeouts on the day. Junior transfer Morgan Druhan struck out six Washburn University batters during the first of two games. Druhan's streak continued into the second game against Butler County Community College, striking out two batters in the three innings she pitched.
"Our pitching staff looks really strong," coach Megan Smith said. "They're taking command out there and really working their pitches and working locations and mixing speeds."
Senior pitcher Ashley Spencer threw two scoreless innings, followed by freshman Emily Stokes who struck out the final two batters of the game. Freshman infielder Maddie Stein helped gain another out for the Jayhawks in the sixth.
During the second game against Butler County the game lulled from the second inning until the sixth. The Jayhawk offense took off after junior outfielder Maggie Hull hit home senior catcher Leah Daiber and sophomore outfielder Elsa Moyer. The Jayhawks scored six runs during the sixth inning putting the score 8-0 at the end of the game.
Communication played a key role between the players. Senior pitcher Ashley Spencer noticed and commented on the teamwork between everyone. Maggie Hull said that the communication has helped with the freshmen for the fall season.
"Honestly the communication has been great between the upperclassman and the freshmen," said
Hull. "Here on the softball field we don't know age and that's how we treat the girls. We expect them to come in here and step up and obviously they did today, especially the pitchers. The pitchers did great as did the hitters; they're as much of the team as anyone else".
With the fall season almost to a close the team has a few goals in mind for the spring; to keep building off last season and to make it to Regionals this year. Focusing a little more on conference play the Jayhawks look forward to seeing what the spring will bring.
The Jayhawks host Baker Thursday followed by the final games of the fall season against Labette Community College and Seminole State on Oct. 16.
— Edited by Laura Nightengale
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Players feature in Hawk Zone Team interacts with fans, children in gameday festivities
KATHLEEN GIER
kgier@kansan.com
The University of Kansas women's basketball team guided young fans through stations such as a football toss, a moon bounce, inflated slide and tattoos before the football game on Saturday. The women's basketball team was featured in the Hy-Vee Hawk Zone event this week. Other Kansas sports teams will cycle through the event, with a different team featured for each of the six home football games.
Though the morning started early with small children running around and screaming, sophomore forward Tania Jackson said she enjoied the event.
"It means a lot for us to see the smiles on their faces, it brings all the excitement to us," Jackson said.
Junior forward Carolyn Davis said she loves being around kids and they made the day special.
"It is early, but they make it fun," Davis said. "They just want to be here with us."
At 6-foot-3, Davis has learned to sit down when she is not running and playing with the kids to make her seem more approachable. In her third year of events like this, she has developed strategies to keep each one exciting and fun.
"I try to do a different greeting every time they come, ask them different questions and just interact with them because it makes it easier for them to have fun," Davis said.
Freshman guard Asia Boyd was stationed at the moon bounce, which she loved because she said it was her favorite as a child. The Detroit native has three younger
siblings and said that it reminded her of her family.
"It is just like being at home; a little bit chaotic," Boyd said.
Jackson said that the event is a good opportunity for players and fans to interact.
"It gets the kids and everybody a chance to get to know us off the court," Jackson said. "If they get to know us and they see that we are good people, they pass that along and that restarts our fan base."
As the game started, the team shuffled into reserved front row seats in the student section where they cheered on the football team together.
"It is good to do things like this and promote their games because they will come and do the same for us," Davis said.
Edited by Josh Kantor
The Eldridge Big 6 Room
Reception
$40 per person
+ tax & gratuity
Students receive
*5 off!
(must present KU II
(must present KU ID)
with Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale
Second Course
with Bob's '47 Oktoberfest
First Course
Reception Thai Green Curry Mussels
Grilled Hamburger, Brioche Bun, Fried Sweet Onions, Horseradish
Cheddar, Tomato, Butter Lettuce & Salt & Vinegar Fries
with Double Indian Palm Ale
Third Course
Crispy Fried Duck Tacos, Queso Fresco, Pico de Gallo & Salsa Verde with The Sixth Glass Quadruple A
Fourth Course
Key Lime Panna Cotta, Toasted Pound Cake & Sweet Cherry
with Bully! Porter
Reservations required 785.749.1005
sfinday or oliviacollection.com
701 Massachusetts St. | Lawrence, VIRGINIA 785.749.749.5011 | www.elekforgottby.org
CHRIS NEAL/KANSAN
KICKOFF SHOWOFFS
The Marching Jayhawks take to the field Saturday morning before the homecoming game against Texas Tech. The marching band was accompanied by the alumni marching band for the opening performance.
CHRIS NEAL/KANSAN
A skydiver carrying the KU flag drops into Memorial Stadium prior to Saturday's game against Texas Tech. The divers were a part of the ending to the 99th homecoming celebration.
I
2
V