April 21, 2008

Lawrence, KS (UWIRE) -- The University of Kansas softball team suffered two more losses on the road during the weekend. The Jayhawks faced off against the fourth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies.

After two tough losses to Missouri last week, the Jayhawks could not bounce back to take a game from the Aggies. Texas A&M senior pitcher Megan Gibson hurt the Jayhawks from the mound and at the plate in both games to help the Aggies sweep the series.

Gibson threw a no-hitter in the first game of the series and allowed only two runners on base the entire game. The KU pitching staff had a hard time against the Texas A&M line-up. Each pitcher, junior Valerie George, sophomore Sarah Vertelka and freshman Allie Clark, allowed at least three runs. Junior center fielder Dougie McCaulley and senior first baseman Addy Lucero were the only players to reach base for the team.

Texas A&M won 14-0 in five innings because of the run rule. Gibson went a perfect two-for-two at the plate with three RBI. A&M's designated hitter, sophomore Alex Reynolds, added two more hits and another three RBI. The Jayhawk pitchers gave up seven walks in the game, and the defense committed two errors in the game, helping only the Texas A&M offense.

The Jayhawks didn't have any more luck in the second game of the series. The team came up with only three hits in the game from junior shortstop Stevie Crisosto, senior left fielder Betsy Wilson and freshman designated hitter Liz Kocon. KU batters struck out ten times, and the team failed to score a run for the second consecutive game, losing 8-0.

A&M's Gibson continued to hurt the Jayhawks from the plate going three-for-three with four RBI. The Jayhawks committed another pair of errors in the second game, and George had another shaky outing, allowing six runs in five innings.

(C) 2008 University Daily Kansan via UWIRE