10A / **SPORTS** / MONDAY. MAY 2. 2011 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / KANSAN.COM
SOFTBALL REWIND
Sophomore outfielder Maggie Hull hits a solo home run at Arrocha Ballpark Saturday against Texas A&M. Hull finished the game with two solo home runs, however, Kansas was unable to hold off Texas A&M Saturday, Kansas lost 3-2 during game one of the weekend's doubleheader.
Howard Ting/KANSAN
Howard Ting/KANSAN
Senior catcher Brittany Hile and senior pitcher Allie Clark converse briefly between batters at Arrocha Ballpark Saturday. Kansas celebrated Senior Day for Hile and Clark Saturday after the game against TEXA & M.
Senior pitcher Allie Clark catches a pop fly batted by the Texas A&M at Arrocha Ballpark Saturday. Clark pitched nine innings and only allowed seven hits. Kansas fell 3-2 during game one of the weekend's doubleheader.
Soohomore outfielder Rosie Hull sweeps up a around ball at Arrocha Ballpark Sunday. The Jayhawks fell to the Aggies 13-0 during game two of the weekend's doubleheader.
Saturday
Texas A&M 3 A TM
Kansas 2
Sunday
Kansas 0
Texas A&M 13 ATM
Seniors reflect on four years together
BY HANNAH WISE hwise@kansan.com
Senior pitcher Allie Clark and senior catcher Brittany Hile have spent their whole collegiate softball careers together. Now, after four seasons, Clark and Hile, who were roommates their freshman year, are parting ways with one another, the Kansas coaching staff and their fellow lavihawks.
Saturday's close game against Texas A&M marked their senior night together. In front of their fans, Clark and Hile stood on the field with their families, teammates and coaches to accept framed jerseys and to reflect upon their careers.
"It's so much fun to be able to go out with Allie," Hile said. "She has become such a huge leader and part of this season this year I am just so proud of her. It's really sad at the same time because we came in together and now we leave together, and it's really sad."
Clark has served in many roles
during her time at Kansas. She has 147 career starts playing pitcher and designated player. In her senior season, she has thrown 78 strikeouts. She
threw her career-high eight strikeouts in Saturday's game against A&M.
Sunday against A&M, Hile noticed a runner stealing second and responded by throwing down to freshman infielder Ashley Newman at second, but the runner beat the throw by just a moment. Newman
"The first inning I just kind of rolled, and I just kind of got in a rhythm," Clark said. "It kept building, and I don't want to say that I kept getting better, but I gained more confidence."
She has led the pitching staff this season with her even temperament and her encouragement from the dugout. Every game she leads at-bat cheers. Saturday, when Hile stepped up for her at-bat with a 3-2 count Clark cheered with the rest of the team, echoing, "Beat it, Brittany! Beat it!"
Hile made her 200th career start during Saturday's game. She began her career as the J.yhawk's starting catcher. Her experience behind the plate has benefited the young defense this season.
threw the ball back to Hile to catch the runner stealing home. Hile then recognized that the runner at second was attempting a steal at third and threw down to junior Marissa Ingle, sending the runner sprinting back to second and quashing the scoring threat.
Hile will be taking her skills to Florida to play for the National Pro Fast-Pitch league's NPF Diamonds at the conclusion of the Jayhawk's season.
"I don't regret anything."
"It's going to be really weird," Hile said. "It's going to be really different because you don't get a couple of months to get to know each other. So I hope it is just as great as this team."
The Kansas team has been a family for both Clark and Hile. They have been there for the best moments like the Stetson Hatter Invitational where the team went 5-0 run-ruling Morehead State twice. They have also been there for the low points of the season like Sunday's 13-0 loss to Texas A&M.
ALLIE CLARK Pitcher
"There are so many memories," Hile said. "Every year a new group of girls come in, and you think that team is just a family;
well, every single team becomes your family. It's just so remarkable, and it is really sad going out."
The seniors have three games left in the regular season and will be waiting to see if the team will continue into Regional play. The Jayhawks will miss the seniors for their leadership on and 10th field. Even though Brittany and Allie will be parting ways, they will look back fondly on their four seasons together at Kansas.
Allie summed up the emotions of her career best.
"I don't regret anything," she said. "I had a lot of opportunities and was given a lot of chances. I played with a lot of amazing people and athletes and coaches. It's just been amazing the different voices and the different opinions that you come in contact with. Amazing people, amazing program, amazing school. I am just so glad that I came here, that I got the chance to come here."
Edited by Helen Mubarak
Howard Ting/KANSAN
Freshman pitcher Kristin Martinez winds up for a pitch against Texas A&M at Arrocha Ballpark Sunday. Kansas fell 13-0 during game two of the weekend's doubleheader.