EMU Tops Kansas, Falls to Portland State

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- The EMU softball team opened the 2006 Kansas Jayhawk Classic with a 7-2 loss to Portland State and 2-1 win over Kansas Friday at Arrocha Ballpark. With the split, the Eagles moved to 6-12 overall.

Against Portland State, the Eagles led 3-2 heading into the final inning, but the Vikings would score five runs off four hits including a two-run home run by Mandy Hill to top EMU.

Three Eagles posted multi-hit performances in the contest. Junior shortstop Lauren Clark (Flat Rock, Mich.-New Boston Huron) finished 2-for-4 at the plate with a solo home run giving her seven on the season. She is just three long balls from tying the single-season school record.

Sophomore first baseman Ashley Strauss (Trenton, Mich.-Trenton) finished with two hits including her first home run of the season. Senior catcher Katie Grens (Elgin, Ill./Elgin) also finished with two hits.

Versus the host Jayhawks, senior pitcher Nikki Denman (Toledo, Ohio-Sylvania Southview) limited Kansas to just three hits and an unearned run in seven innings. With the win Denman improves to 2-3 on the season.

Clark extended her hit streak to eight games with a bunt single in the first frame. Sophomore outfielder Heather Giroux (Clarkston, Mich.-Clarkston) scored both Eagle runs and tripled to leftfield.

Errors hurt KU early on, with two first inning errors that led to a 1-0 Eagle advantage. EMU extended its lead to 2-0 after a sacrifice fly plated Giroux. A fifth inning EMU error followed by a double accounted for the Jayhawks lone run.

EMU is in action again in the Jayhawk Classic tomorrow, March 11, with schedules games with Minnesota and a rematch with host Kansas with first pitch set for noon and 4 p.m. respectively.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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