Monday, February 26, 2001
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 5
Softball team shows progress
By Brent Briggeman
sports@kansan.com
Kansas sportwriiter
The Kansas softball team was pleased with the two wins it walked away with this weekend while competing against ranked teams in the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga.
The Jayhawks, picked last in the Big 12 Conference with an 8-8 record, finished the weekend 2-3.
Kansas began on a positive note, defeating No. 24 Massachusetts 4-1 in the tournament opener. The win was Kansas' first over a ranked team in five tries this season.
Pitcher Kara Pierce was the headliner for Kansas, tossing a complete game and holding Massachusetts to three hits. The freshman from Mesa, Ariz., credited her success to a new approach.
"The last two days in practice, we have been working on our intensity and focus, and I think that helped me today." Pierce said. "It ites great to finally break through against a ranked team."
The Jayhawks completed play Friday with a 3-0 loss to No. 4 Alabama. Sophomore pitcher
Kirsten Milhoan took the loss, tossing a complete game of her own.
Against No. 6 Arizona State, Kansas put together its best game of the season. Behind another complete game from Pierce, Kansas defeated the Sun Devils 7-1. Junior shortstop Courtney Wright provided the offensive spark for Kansas, hitting a home run, collecting two hits and driving in two runs.
A 2-1 record in pool play advanced the Jayhawks to the Gold Championship Bracket at the tournament — the elimination bracket for the top eight teams after pool play in the 24-team event.
Bracket play didn't prove as prosperous for the Jawhakers.
No. 10 Washington blasted Kansas
8-0 Sunday morning. Kansas followed
that with a 6-4 loss to No. 9
Stanford to close the weekend.
to wrap up the weekend, but she liked the signs of progress.
Kansas coach Tracy Bunge wasn't pleased with the team's performance
"It leaves a bittersweet taste in my mouth," she said. "I good like we'd done some really good things and made some progress in the games. To play so poorly and without emotion and a real sense of urgency is disappointing. But I feel like we made some major leaps and believe we could be and should be competing with the best teams in the country."
Now 8-7, with all seven losses against ranked teams, Kansas convinced itself of its talent and left the tournament with a new-found sense of hunger.
"We are not satisfied, but we are happy with the way we are playing right now," junior third baseman Megan Urquhart said. "Our confidence this year has gone up so much, just since the beginning of the season."
Pierce, who has won five games this year, said the difficult schedule had helped the young team grow.
"Every game we play is a learning experience right now," Pierce said. "Hopefully we can take the good things from our losses and put them toward future games."
kansan.com
Edited by Courtney Craigmile
Get involved in the University and the KU Football program by participating in the 2001-2002 Crimson Crew.
is a great opportunity for anyone interested in Public Relations, Sports Management, Marketing or any other related fields. Duties include giving tours of the athletic facilities to perspective student-athlete football players, and other related recruiting tasks.
All Interested freshman, sophomores, and juniors are asked to attend an informational meeting in the Hadl Auditorium, 1st floor. Student Athlete Center. (Located
Wagnon Student Athlete Center. (Located between Allen Fieldhouse and Anschutz.)
Thursday, March 1 at 5 p.m. Any questions? Call the Football Office @ 864-3393
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