Game 17 recap: Kansas vs. Virginia

KANSAS 4, VIRGINIA 2
 
FORT COLLINS, CO – Sarah Roszak, who had just 33 at-bats this season entering Wednesday game, hit a home run in the sixth inning for a key insurance run as the No. 12-seeded Jayhawks topped No.1-seed Virginia to move to the NISC championship round.
 
Kansas (20-35) will play fellow Big 12 team Baylor in one semifinal, set for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
 
The Jayhawks took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, as Olivia Bruno’s double to the right-center fence brought in Ashlyn Anderson and Shayna Espy. Virginia (29-25) knotted the contest with a productive fourth inning, beginning with a run when Abby Weaver was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Lauren VanAssche followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Gabby Baylog.
 
Angela Price doubled with one out in the fourth for KU; she came home on a single by Shelby Gayre as the Jayhawks moved ahead, 3-2.
 
Weaver and VanAssche each singled to start the seventh inning for the Cavaliers; a fielder’s choice put runners on first and third with one out. Kasey Hamilton came on to pitch for KU and quickly halted the threat on a double-play lineout.
 
Kansas starter Katie Brooks went for 3 1/3 innings; Savanna DesRochers provided solid relief over three innings, allowing two hits and registering three strikeouts.