2012 Kansas Softball Yearbook

INTRO

2

INTROducTION

2

we are KaNSaSrock Chalk Teams 4-5arrocha Ballpark 6Kansas Locker room 7Stength & Conditioning 8-9Kansas athletics Facilities 10-11The University of Kansas 12-13academic excellence 14-15Jayhawk Traditions 16-17athletic excellence 18-19

2012 JayhawKSroster 18-19Season Outlook 22-23Kelsey alsdorf 24-25Lexi Bryant 26-27Leah Daiber 28-29Morgan Druhan 30-31Maggie hull 32-33rosie hull 34-35Marissa Ingle 36-37alex Jones 38-39

Liz Kocon 40-41Kristin Martinez 42-43Mariah Montgomery 44-45elsa Moyer 46-47Chanin Naudin 48-49ashley Newman 50-51alicia Pille 52-53Cassen Salamone 54-55ashley Spencer 56-57Maddie Stein 58-59emily Stokes 60-61

COaCheS aND STaFFhead Coach Megan Smith 62-65assistant Coach adam roorbach 66-67assistant Coach D.J. Mathis 68-69Vol. assistant Coach Brittany hile 70Director of Operations alicia Spack 71Support Staff 72Debbie Van Saun, Senior associate aD, Swa 73Dr. Sheahon Zenger, Director of athletics 73Bernadette Gray-Little, Chancellor 73

INTRO

33

DaTe LOCaTION OPPONeNT TIMefebruary hammond, La. SOUTheaSTerN LION CLaSSIC10 (Fri.) Tennessee-Martin 12:30 pm10 Troy 3 pm11 (Sat.) Jackson State 3 pm11 Southeastern Louisiana State 5:30 pm12 (Sun.) Northern Colorado 10 am Charlotte, N.C. CharLOTTe CLaSSIC17 (Fri.) Middle Tennessee State 9 am17 Charlotte 11 am18 (Sat.) Stony Brook 9 am18 Middle Tennessee State 12 pm 19 (Sun.) Stony Brook 9 am wilmington, N.C SeahawK CLaSSIC24 (Fri.) Fairfield 9 am24 Gardner-webb 11:15 am25 (Sat.) UNC wilmington 11:15 am25 UNC wilmington 1:30 pm26 (Sun.) Fairfield 10 ammarch Charleston, S.C. CharLeSTON SOUTherN TOUrNaMeNT2 (Fri.) Connecticut 10 am2 Charleston Southern 2 pm3 (Sat.) wisconsin 8 am3 wisconsin 3 pm4 (Sun.) Connecticut 12 pm Jacksonville, Fla. OSPrey CLaSSIC9 (Fri.) Delaware State 2 pm9 Delaware State 4 pm10 (Sat.) North Florida 1:30 pm10 Delaware State 4 pm11 (Sun.) North Florida 9 am16 (Fri.-Sun.) Columbia, Mo. Missouri* 6 pm17 Columbia, Mo. Missouri* 2 pm18 Columbia, Mo. Missouri* 12 pm20 (Tues.) Springfield, Mo. Missouri State (Dh) 3 pm/5 pm23 (Fri.-Sun.) LawreNCe, KaN. OKLahOMa STaTe 5 pm24 LawreNCe, KaN. OKLahOMa STaTe 2 pm25 LawreNCe, KaN. OKLahOMa STaTe 12 pm30 (Fri.-Sun.) Norman, Okla. Oklahoma 7 pm31 Norman, Okla. Oklahoma 2 pmapril 1 Norman, Okla. Oklahoma 12 pm6 (Fri.-Sat.) waco, Texas Baylor (Dh) 4 pm/6 pm7 waco, Texas Baylor 11 am11 (wed.) LawreNCe, KaN. wIChITa STaTe (Dh) 5 pm/7 pm13 (Fri.-Sun.) LawreNCe, KaN. TexaS 5 pm14 LawreNCe, KaN. TexaS 2 pm15 LawreNCe, KaN. TexaS 12 pm20 (Fri.-Sun.) LawreNCe, KaN. IOwa STaTe 5 pm21 LawreNCe, KaN. IOwa STaTe 2 pm22 LawreNCe, KaN. IOwa STaTe 12 pm25 (wed.) LawreNCe, KaN. UMKC (Dh) 3 pm/5 pm27 (Fri.-Sun.) LawreNCe, KaN. TexaS TeCh 5 pm28 LawreNCe, KaN. TexaS TeCh 2 pm29 LawreNCe, KaN. TexaS TeCh 5 pmmay 4 (Fri.-Sun.) College Station, Texas Texas a&M 7 pm5 College Station, Texas Texas a&M 3 pm6 College Station, Texas Texas a&M 11 am

home games in BOLD and played at arrocha Ballpark; all times Central.

INTRO

4

we aRe kaNsas

“we’ve always been a close team, but this season we’re on a whole new level.”

Liz Kocon, senior outfielder

warhawks wheaties

Phog Crusade

5

every Jayhawk softball player is assigned to a rock Chalk team upon arriving to campus. Chemistry with your fellow Jayhawks is an everyday bond - not something that happens only at arrocha Ballpark. Together with their rock Chalk teammates, student-athletes find out what they’re made of...on and off the field:

• academics• Jayhawk Idol• Strength & Conditioning• Community Service• Survivor

wheaties

Crusade

INTRO

6

we aRe kaNsas

ballpark stats• opened in January 2004

• 750 capacity

• named after Kansas business woman Cheryl womack’s father, Demostenes arrocha. womack

donated the $2 million needed to fund construction of the ballpark.

• team lounge and locker room are located near the ballpark

• pressbox added during the 2012 season, complete with two radio booths and working press area

7

locker room

team room

8

we aRe kaNsas

weightroom stats• Kansas student-athletes only

• $8 million facility

• 42,000-square feet

• state-of-the-art weight training equipment

• cardiovascular workout area, meeting and locker rooms

9

INTRO

10

we aRe kaNsas

Hail to Old KU.

• enrollment: 29,462• Fields of study: about 200• Major academic divisions: College of Liberal arts and Sciences, which includes the School of the arts; schools of allied health; architecture, design and planning; business; education; engineering; journalism and mass communications; law; medicine; music; nursing; pharmacy and social welfare.• ratio of men to women: 49.2 to 50.8• Nationally ranked programs: 58

Budi

g ha

ll

11

Hail to Old KU.

kans

as U

nion

Mas

s St

reet

Pott

er L

ake

12

aLLeN FIeLDhOUSe

hOreJSI FaMILy aThLeTICS CeNTer

aLVaMar GOLF COUrSe

hOGLUND BaLLParK

JayhawKTeNNIS FaCILITy

we aRe kaNsas

13

MeMOrIaL STaDIUM

KaNSaS rOwING BOaThOUSe

rOBINSON NaTaTOrIUM

rIM rOCK FarM

JayhawK SOCCer COMPLex

14

academic support stats• Completed in May 2009

• $5 million, 15,600-square foot academic Support Services

facility

• 36-computer technology lab

• 24 individual tutor rooms along with informal group study

areas

• 19 private offices for staff

• Beautiful views of campus to the north through a glass curtain

wall.

we aRe kaNsas

15

Justin Mackey, an associate Director of academic and Career Counseling at Kansas, works with the Jayhawk softball team and travels with the team to keep student-athletes on pace with their classes while on the road.

additionally, KU’s Strategic and Instructional Tutoring Program (STP) has 75 tutors who work with student-athletes. Tutoring is available to any student-athlete, regardless of scholarship status or sport.

Maddie Stein meeting with Justin Mackey

16

The rOCK ChaLK ChaNTThe rock Chalk Chant has been the battle cry of KU fans for more than 80 years. This strange, traditional chant, which is among the most famous of all college cheers, was started by e.h.S. Bailey, a professor of chemistry. Bailey wanted a cheer for his Science Club. returning from a convention in wichita, Bailey and some associates patterned a yell after the rhythmic cadence of their train rolling along the tracks. On May 21, 1886, Bailey submitted the cheer to his club.

Before the University adopted the cheer in 1897, it consisted of “rah, rah, Jayhawk, KU” being repeated three times. an english professor soon suggested that “rock

Chalk” be substituted for “rah, rah” because it rhymed with Jayhawk. “rock Chalk” was also symbolic of the chalky limestone formations found on Mount Oread. Teddy roosevelt once said the rock Chalk chant was the best he had ever heard.

CaMPaNILe hILLCampanile hill forms the picturesque backdrop for Memorial Stadium. On a sunny fall Saturday, the “hill” is transformed into a congregating place for watching Jayhawk football, sunning and barbequing. Potter

rock Chalk Chant

wave the wheat

we aRe kaNsas

17

Lake, just to the southeast of Memorial Stadium and at the bottom of Campanile hill, adds to the beauty of the Kansas campus.

waVING The wheaTSince the early days of KU sports, it has been a ritual of Jayhawk fans to “wave the wheat” following every Kansas scoring drive. The ritual consists of fans waving their arms in the air, an activity which, when done by a large crowd, resembles a breezy Kansas wheat field.

The NICKNaMeDuring the Civil war a regiment raised by Kansas Governor Charles robinson called itself the “Independent Mounted Jayhawks” (later officially the First Kansas Calvary and then the Seventh Kansas regiment). By the end of the Civil war the word Jayhawk was associated with the spirit of camaraderie and the courageous fighting qualities that characterized efforts to keep Kansas a free state.

By 1886, the University of Kansas had adopted the mythical bird as part of the KU yell. when the university’s football team first took the field in 1890, it seemed only natural that they should be called Jayhawkers. Few colleges and universities have such a meaningful symbol, one so deeply associated with the struggles of the people who founded them.

The FIGhT SONGG e o r g e “ D u m p y ” Bowles, a student with the class of 1912, longed to make a great contr ibution to the KU spirit, but wasn’t athletic enough to do historic deeds on the athletic

field. he turned to music and p r o d u c e d s o m e outstanding s t u d e n t m u s i c a l shows.

a song in one of these shows was “I’m a Jayhawk.” written in 1912, it was dormant until 1920 when a growth in school spirit brought out “I’m a Jayhawk” once more. The song contributed to the raising of funds to build both the KU football stadium and student union as world war I memorials. The 1926 glee club made it known nationally.

whaT’S a JayhawK?The University of Kansas is home of the Jayhawk, a mythical bird with a fascinating history. Its origin is rooted in the historic struggles of Kansas settlers. The term “Jayhawk” was probably coined about 1848. accounts of its use appeared from Illinois to Texas.

The name combines two birds - the blue jay, a noisy, quarrelsome thing known to rob other nests, and the sparrow hawk, a stealthy hunter. The message here: Don’t turn your back on this bird.

The aLMa MaTerIn 1891, professor George Barlow Penny searched for a school song for the Glee and Mandolin Club to sing on its tour through Kansas to Denver and back. No one responded with an original song in answer to his appeals. Just before departure, he thought of the Cornell song “Far above Cayuga’s waters.” hastily changing a few words, he gave it to the glee club men to sing on the trip. he did not expect the song to be used after their return, but “Crimson and the Blue” still goes on. The music is not Cornell’s but an old english folk tune, “annie Lisle.”

The Jayhawk

Campanile hill

18

T.J. walz was selected in the 15th round of

the 2011 MLB First-year Player Draft.

Brittany hile was selected 15th overall in the 2011 National Pro Fastpitch Senior Draft.

The men’s basketball team won its eighth-straight

regular season Big 12 Title in 2012.

we aRe kaNsas

19

Chris Gilbert qualified for the 2011 NCaa regional Tournament.

Carolyn Davis was a 2011 USa Basketball women’s world University Games Team Trials participant.

The Kansas women’s track team took

second at the 2012 NCaa Indoor National

Championships.

Diamond Dixon became a National Champion in the 400 meters at the 2012 NCaa Indoor Championships.

INTRO

JAYHAWKS

20

INTRO

20

JAYHAWKS

No. Name Pos. B/T Ht. Yr. Hometown (High School/Last College)1 Cassen Salamone OF L/L 5-5 Fr. Spring, Texas (Klein Oak HS)6 Morgan Druhan P R/R 5-6 Jr.-TR Spanish Fort, Ala. (Spanish Fort HS/South Alabama)8 Rosie Hull OF L/R 5-7 Jr. Lawrence, Kan. (Free State HS)9 Liz Kocon OF L/L 5-7 RS-Sr. Katy, Texas (James E. Taylor HS)10 Kristin Martinez P L/L 5-4 So. Texas City, Texas (O'Connell College Prep)11 Ashley Spencer P R/R 5-8 Sr.-TR Weir, Kan. (Southeast HS/Cowley County CC)12 Emily Stokes P R/R 5-7 Fr. Hamilton City, Calif. (Hamilton HS)13 Alex Jones P/OF L/R 5-7 Jr. (RS) Enid, Okla. (Enid HS) 14 Maggie Hull OF L/L 5-7 Jr. Lawrence, Kan. (Free State HS)15 Leah Daiber C R/R 5-8 Sr. St. Louis, Mo. (Ladue HS)18 Kelsey Alsdorf INF L/R 5-6 Sr. Littleton, Colo. (Columbine HS)20 Elsa Moyer OF R/R 5-4 So. Kirkland, Wash. (Lake Washington HS)21 Marissa Ingle INF R/R 5-4 Sr. Olathe, Kan. (Olathe North HS)22 Ashley Newman INF R/R 5-5 So. Salina, Kan. (Salina South HS)23 Mariah Montgomery INF R/R 5-6 Jr. Ralston, Neb. (Ralston HS)25 Alicia Pille P R/R 5-8 Fr. Royse City, Texas (Royse City HS)27 Lexi Bryant C R/R 5-6 Fr. Orland Park, Ill. (Carl Sandburg HS)28 Chanin Naudin INF R/R 5-8 Fr. Las Flores, Calif. (Princeton HS)34 Maddie Stein INF/C/OF L/R 5-10 Fr. El Reno, Okla. (El Reno HS)

INTRO

JAYHAWKS

21

INTRO

21

JAYHAWKS

No. Name Pos. B/T Ht. Yr. Hometown (High School/Last College)1 Cassen Salamone OF L/L 5-5 Fr. Spring, Texas (Klein Oak HS)6 Morgan Druhan P R/R 5-6 Jr.-TR Spanish Fort, Ala. (Spanish Fort HS/South Alabama)8 Rosie Hull OF L/R 5-7 Jr. Lawrence, Kan. (Free State HS)9 Liz Kocon OF L/L 5-7 RS-Sr. Katy, Texas (James E. Taylor HS)10 Kristin Martinez P L/L 5-4 So. Texas City, Texas (O'Connell College Prep)11 Ashley Spencer P R/R 5-8 Sr.-TR Weir, Kan. (Southeast HS/Cowley County CC)12 Emily Stokes P R/R 5-7 Fr. Hamilton City, Calif. (Hamilton HS)13 Alex Jones P/OF L/R 5-7 Jr. (RS) Enid, Okla. (Enid HS) 14 Maggie Hull OF L/L 5-7 Jr. Lawrence, Kan. (Free State HS)15 Leah Daiber C R/R 5-8 Sr. St. Louis, Mo. (Ladue HS)18 Kelsey Alsdorf INF L/R 5-6 Sr. Littleton, Colo. (Columbine HS)20 Elsa Moyer OF R/R 5-4 So. Kirkland, Wash. (Lake Washington HS)21 Marissa Ingle INF R/R 5-4 Sr. Olathe, Kan. (Olathe North HS)22 Ashley Newman INF R/R 5-5 So. Salina, Kan. (Salina South HS)23 Mariah Montgomery INF R/R 5-6 Jr. Ralston, Neb. (Ralston HS)25 Alicia Pille P R/R 5-8 Fr. Royse City, Texas (Royse City HS)27 Lexi Bryant C R/R 5-6 Fr. Orland Park, Ill. (Carl Sandburg HS)28 Chanin Naudin INF R/R 5-8 Fr. Las Flores, Calif. (Princeton HS)34 Maddie Stein INF/C/OF L/R 5-10 Fr. El Reno, Okla. (El Reno HS)

INTRO

JAYHAWKS

22

INTRO

SEASON OUTLOOK

22

PITCHERS

COACH'S TAKE - on the catchers“Catching is obviously an important position and we had one of the best for my first two years in Brittany Hile. She caught almost all of our innings and developed into a professional softball player.

We brought in a freshman All-American (Lexi Bryant) to step in and learn from Brittany. Lexi is a superb receiver – our pitchers love throwing to her. She’s a very good communicator, calms our pitchers down and has a great demeanor with them. Brittany has really been working with Lexi on strengthening her throws and release. We’re excited to see how she develops. It’s a tough position to jump into as a freshman and take charge of, but she has the work ethic to do it.

Maddie Stein not only has a great bat, but is one of those players who will work tirelessly to figure it out on the field, too. She’s done a lot of work on her own already so she can certainly see time behind the plate.”

COACH'S TAKE - on the pitchers“Allie Clark threw a lot for us last year and threw a lot of big games for us. She had a lot of poise and a lot of experience on the mound, so we will miss that. But, Kristin Martinez had a great freshman year and we know she has more confidence going into her sophomore season. As a returner, Ashley Spencer had a lot of Big 12 experience for us last year. It’s going to be different for us in the circle.

Our new additions were needed additions and all three have done extremely well through the fall season and throughout spring practices. Morgan Druhan comes in experienced at this level, which is important for us. She is someone who has pitched against SEC-level teams and been successful against them, so we’re looking for her to add that experience to our staff.

Emily Stokes has improved a lot, had a lot of tools coming in and already has added more to develop a better change up. Alicia Pille is a dominant pitcher. She goes out and you can see it in her eyes that she’s ready to attack hitters. She has the mindset that she wants to dominate, which is a must in the circle.”

CATCHERS

Allie Clark 13-9, 3.75 ERAAlex Jones (injury) 6-2, 2.55 ERA

Kristin Martinez, So. 12-10, 3.31 ERAAshley Spencer, Sr. 0-1, 6.93 ERA

Morgan Druhan, Jr.-TR 10-6, 2.77 ERA (South Alabama)Alicia Pille, Fr. 0.32 ERA, 431 Ks, nine no-hittersEmily Stokes, Fr. 1,331 career HS

INTRO

JAYHAWKS

23

INTRO

SEASON OUTLOOK

23

INFIELDERSCOACH'S TAKE - on the infielders

“Our infield has good experience coming back, but we do have new faces and those new faces add a lot. Obviously, one of those main sources of experience is Marissa Ingle, a senior who is fundamentally sound, works hard, is versatile and will play any position that we need her to play.

We have Mariah Montgomery back, a middle infielder who we will look to at shortstop with her leadership and consistency. Ashley Newman got a lot of experience last year as a shortstop and second baseman, playing every game. Newman’s very steady. Every play that’s at her, she makes. She’ll more than likely see more time at second base.

Then we have a couple of freshmen in Maddie Stein and Chanin Naudin. Stein has been working out at first base quite a bit, but she can catch and play the outfield as well. Naudin is a dynamic third baseman. She is fun to coach, fun to watch and she attacks the game. She is one of those corners who will be in the batter’s face, which is what we need.”can do this spring.”

Laura Vickers 29 starts at 1B/DP, .231 BAKendra Cullum 30 starts at 1B/3B, .159 BA

Mariah Montgomery, Jr. 53 starts at 2B/SS, 10 HRMarissa Ingle, Sr. 47 starts at 3B, .301 BAAshley Newman, So. 53 starts at 2B/SS, 9 SBKelsey Alsdorf, Sr. moved from INF to OF, .286 BA

Chanin Naudin, Fr. VYPE Magazine 2011 North Texas MVPMaddie Stein, Fr. .509 BA, 21 2B, .750 SLG

COACH'S TAKE - on the outfielders“Losing Alex Jones hurts us; she’s been our starting centerfielder and our leadoff batter for two years. It’s time for other people to step up and that’s the way we look at it. We’ve got Cassen Salamone, who is a very talented outfielder. She has good instincts and is very smooth when you watch her out there. She has stepped in and done a good job this fall. Elsa Moyer worked all last year and came back this fall and has really proven that she wants to be out there. We will move on with who we have and we’re confident in those people.

The Hull twins have improved tremendously. Maggie’s aggressiveness is always there. She just attacks the game, which is what we want all of our players to do, and she does it on a daily basis. Rosie is very steady in the outfield and has shown a lot of improvement this fall. We also have Liz Kocon back out there, who has great experience and really solid fundamentals in the outfield. Our outfield is strong and has improved a lot.”

Alex Jones (inj.) 41 starts in CF, .293 BA, 15 SBJulie Jenkins 10 starts in CF

Maggie Hull, Jr. 53 starts in LF, .346 BA, 9 HRRosie Hull, Jr. 32 starts in RF, .244 BALiz Kocon, RS Sr. 53 starts at DP/RF, .322 BA, 14 HRElsa Moyer, So. 19 appearances, 5 R

Cassen Salamone, Fr. .568 BA, 24 SBMaddie Stein, Fr. .509 BA, 21 2B, .750 SLG

JAYHAWKS

24

INTRO

KELSEY

SENIORINF | 5-8 | L-RLITTLETON, COLO.COLUMBINE HS

2011 JUNIOR SEASONAppeared in 17 games and made two starts as the team’s designated hitter... Hit .308 (4-for-13) with one walk in 14 plate appearances as a pinch hitter... Posted a .286 batting average for the season... Drove in eight runs, including a two-run pinch-hit single against Oklahoma State (4/10)... Had two RBIs on a pinch-hit single against Delaware State (3/12).

2010 SOPHOMORE SEASONSaw action in 23 games, mostly as a pinch hitter or pinch runner... Hit .429 (3-for-7) as a pinch hitter... Recorded her first career hit, a double, at Southern Illinois (3/6) and drove in a run... Made her first career start in the field vs. Western Illinois (3/7) in the KU outfield... Went 2-for-3 with two RBIs vs. Valparaiso (3/11)... Hit a pinch-hit RBI single vs. Massachusetts (3/18) and vs. Iowa State (5/8).

2009 FRESHMAN SEASONAppeared in 22 games for the Jayhawks, mainly as a pinch runner... Was 3-for-3 in stolen base attempts... Scored a run in the win versus rival No. 11 Missouri (4/1)... Made her first appearance in the outfield in a win against UMKC (4/14)... Scored a run in a win over Baylor (4/25).

JAYHAWKS

ALSDORF’S CAREER STATISTICS

YR GP-GS AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB SLG% BB HBP SO OB% SB-ATT PO A E FLD%2009 22-0 .000 2 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 .000 3-3 0 0 0 .000 2010 23-9 .269 26 2 7 0 0 0 5 7 .269 7 0 7 .424 1-1 3 0 0 1.0002011 17-2 .286 21 2 6 0 0 0 8 6 .286 3 0 7 .375 0-0 0 0 0 .000 62-11 .265 49 10 13 0 0 0 13 13 .265 10 0 14 .390 4-4 3 0 0 1.000

ALSDORF

KANSASCAREER

25

nicknameKELSO

walk-up songGETTIN JIGGY WITH IT by WILL SMITH

i wear no. 18BECAUSE (FORMER JAYHAWK) BRITTANY HILE ALREADY HAD NO. 12.

favorite spot on campusALLEN FIELDHOUSE. WHERE ELSE CAN YOU GO WATCH A GAME IN AN ATMOSPHERE THAT HOLDS SO MANY TRADITIONS?!

one word to describe coach smithDETERMINED

biggest role modelMY MOM & DAD. THEY HAVE WORKED THEIR ENTIRE LIVES TO GIVE ME AND MY SISTER EVERYTHING WE EVER NEEDED AND MORE. THEY CARE SO MUCH AND LOVE ME UNCONDITIONALLY.

dream job out of collegeWORK FOR THE MARKETING TEAM FOR THE COLORADO ROCKIES OR DENVER BRONCOS

favorite gameday traditionTHE ROCK CHALK CHANT. IT HELPS ME TO REMEMBER THAT I AM A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER THAN MYSELF.

JAYHAWKS

26

CARL SANDBURG HIGH SCHOOLNamed an ESPN RISE High School All-American in 2011... Helped Carl Sandburg HS to its first 4A softball state championship in 2010... Illinois Athlete of the Year and All-State First Team as a junior... Also selected team MVP in 2010 after setting school records for single-season home runs (15), batting average (.504), RBIs (46) and doubles (18)... Part of three SWSC Conference Champion teams (2008, 2009 and 2010).

CLUBPlayed for the Orlando Park A’s Gold for coaches Sarah Douglas, Christina Douglas and Blain Ruby... Team won ASA A Nationals in 2008.

PERSONALBorn Alexis Lee Bryant in Palos Park, Ill.... Daughter of Dan and Karey Bryant... Has two younger siblings, Allison and Nolan... Plans to major in secondary education.

HIGH SCHOOLCAREER

LEXI

FRESHMANC | 5-6 | R-RORLAND PARK, ILL.CARL SANDBURG HS

BRYANT

27

nicknameLEX

walk-up songWALK THAT WALK by DORROUGH

i wear no. 27BECAUSE THAT IS MY BIRTHDAY (MARCH 27)

favorite spot on campusOUR LOCKER ROOM

one word to describe coach smithDEDICATED

biggest role modelMY MOM

dream job out of collegeHIGH SCHOOL P.E. TEACHER AND SOFTBALL COACH

favorite gameday traditionSINGING OUR ALMA MATER

JAYHAWKS

28

LEAH

SENIORC | 5-8 | R-RST. LOUIS, MO.LADUE HS

DAIBER

KANSASCAREER

DAIBER’S CAREER STATISTICS

YR GP-GS AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB SLG% BB HBP SO OB% SB-ATT PO A E FLD%2009 2-0 .500 2 0 1 1 0 0 1 2 1.000 0 0 1 .500 0-0 0 0 0 .0002010 2-1 .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 .000 0-0 0 0 0 .0002011 0-0 .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 .000 0-0 0 0 0 .000 4-1 .333 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 2 .667 0 0 1 .333 0-0 0 0 0 .000

2011 JUNIOR SEASONDid not appear in any contests...Served as the bullpen catcher throughout the season.

2010 SOPHOMORE SEASONAppeared in two games for the Jayhawks...Had one at-bat as a pinch hitter vs. Austin Peay (2/28).

2009 FRESHMAN SEASONMade two appearances as a pinch hitter...Recorded first collegiate hit versus Bowling Green (2/15) when she doubled and also recorded her first RBI...Had an at-bat versus Harvard (3/1)...Served as the bullpen catcher during the season.

PERSONALBorn Leah Renee Daiber in Breese, Ill....Daughter of Thomas and Celeste Daiber...Has one brother, Jared...Exercise science major.

29

nickname66

walk-up songGIMME BACK MY BULL by WEEDEATER

i wear no. 18BECAUSE OF MY FRIEND WHO USED TO PLAY SOFTBALL

favorite spot on campusWESCOE BEACH


biggest role modelMY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GYM COACH

dream job out of collegeHEAD STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH AT A DIVISION I SCHOOL

favorite gameday tradition

DANCE PARTY IN THE LOCKER ROOM

JAYHAWKS

30

MORGAN

JUNIOR-TR.P | 5-6 | R-RSPANISH FORT, ALA.SPANISH FORT HS(SOUTH ALABAMA)

2011 SOPHOMORE SEASON (SOUTH ALABAMA)Went 10-6 in 24 appearances...Second on the squad with a 2.77 ERA, while her 143 strikeouts were tops on the team.

2010 FRESHMAN SEASON (SOUTH ALABAMA)Appeared in 17 games with 11 starts...Ranked second in innings pitched (63.2) ... Struck out a season-high 11 batters against Charleston Southern on Feb. 27...Named to the Commissioner’s Academic List.

PERSONALBorn Morgan Ashley Druhan in Bastrop, La....Daughter of Angie and Mason Druhan...Has two younger sisters, Mckenzie and Mallory...Mother played volleyball at Louisiana Monroe and uncle, Mike Rodriguez, played baseball at Nicholls State University.

DRUHAN

COLLEGIATECAREER

DRUHAN’S CAREER STATISTICS (at South Alabama)

YR ERA W-L APP GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER BB SO 2B 3B HR BF B/AVG WP HBP2010 5.50 1-8 17 11 4 0/0 1 63.2 70 64 50 54 72 13 1 8 250 .280 8 192011 2.77 10-6 24 19 10 2/0 1 116.1 82 52 46 93 143 14 1 8 408 .201 13 7 3.73 11-14 41 30 14 2/0 2 180.0 152 116 96 147 215 27 2 16 658 .231 21 26

31

nicknameMO, DRU OR MORGS

warm-up songANTHEM FOR THE UNDERDOG by 12 STONESYOU’RE GOING DOWN by SICK PUPPIES

i wear no. 6BECAUSE I WORE IT IN SUMMER BALL AND ALWAYS LIKED IT

favorite spot on campusTHE WATSON LIBRARY. I CAN THINK AND STUDY BUT IT ALSO HAS REALLY PRETTY VIEWS OF CAMPUS. (MOSTLY I’M A NERD AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE HOGWARTS CASTLE ON HARRY POTTER MOVIES)

one word to describe coach smithCOMMITTED

biggest role modelMY MOM AND DAD BECAUSE THEY WORK HARD AND SET STRONG VALUES. PLUS THEY’RE LAVING AND CARING!

dream job out of collegeI WANT TO GO TO LAW SCHOOL, SO HOPEFULLY I GET INTO THAT!

favorite gameday traditionTHE ROCK CHALK CHANT

JAYHAWKS

32

MAGGIE

JUNIOROF | 5-7 | L-LLAWRENCE, KAN.FREE STATE HS

2011 SOPHOMORE SEASONStarted all 53 games in left field for Kansas... Led the Jayhawks with a .346 average, 56 hits, 14 doubles and 49 RBIs to earn All-Big 12 honors for the first time in her career... A perfect 6-for-6 on stolen bases...Also led her teammates with four homers and a .309 mark in conference play... Racked up 70 putouts in the outfield with only two errors and did not commit a single error against a Big 12 opponent... Potent at the plate in clutch situations, including an impressive .538 (7-for-13) with the bases loaded and racked up a team-best 23 two-out RBIs... Never went more than two-consecutive games without a hit... Took just two games for her to connect on her first grand slam of her career (Feb. 11 vs. Buffalo), that game became her first of three, four-RBI games in 2011... Would go on to hit two more grand slams in 2011... Started the year with hits in eight of the Jayhawks’ first 10 games, helping KU to a 10-0 start, the best in program history...Knocked in a career-high five RBIs against Stetson (2/19) using a double and a homerun...Blasted her second grand slam of the year against Coastal Carolina (3/20) to help the Jayhawks win the Chanticleer Classic... Reached a .400 average on the season after a 3-for-6 series against Missouri to open conference play, including three RBIs (3/3)... Went 3-for-3 twice and 3-for-4 two more times to tie her career-best three-hit performance four times... Recorded hits in every Big 12 series minus two... Finished the season strong, busting out four multi-hit games, including a 3-for-4 performance against Baylor (4/16) and another on the road at Iowa State (4/23), highlighted by her third and final grand slam of the season... Racked up three hits in a doubleheader sweep at Wichita State (4/27)... Hit her ninth bomb of the year in the last series of the season against Texas A&M (4/30).

2010 FRESHMAN SEASONOne of two freshmen to start all 56 games... Owned a .545 success rate advancing runners as a slap hitter... Eight of her 12 RBIs came during two-out situations... Had a two-run double and a walk at No. 3/9 Florida (2/19)... Hit .438 during the San Diego Classic II (3/17-20)... Recorded at least one hit in each of the last five games during the San Diego Classic II... Connected for a season-best three hits three times in 2009- vs. Marshall (2/21), vs. Austin Peay (2/28) and vs. Nebraska (4/14).

PERSONALBorn Margaret Eve Hull in Topeka, Kan.... Daughter of Rob and Marilyn Hull... Has three siblings: Marie, Jack and Rosie... Twin sister Rosie is also a junior on the KU softball team... Over 15 relatives have attended KU... Double majoring in journalism and Spanish.

HULL

KANSASCAREER

M. HULL’S CAREER STATISTICS

YR GP-GS AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB SLG% BB HBP SO OB% SB-ATT PO A E FLD%2010 56-56 .253 150 13 38 4 0 0 12 42 .280 10 1 27 .304 4-4 57 1 2 .9672011 53-53 .346 162 39 56 14 1 9 49 99 .611 16 1 27 .401 6-6 70 4 2 .974 109-109 .301 312 52 94 18 1 9 61 141 .452 26 2 54 .356 10-10 127 5 4 .971

33

nicknameMAGS

warm-up songSUPERSTAR (EYES OFF ME) by TRIP LEE

i wear no. 14WHEN I WAS YOUNG, I WANTED TO PLAY IN THE WNBA AND MY FAVORITE PLAYER WAS CYNTHIA COOPER. SHE WAS NO. 14 AND IT HAS BEEN MY FAVORITE NUMBER EVER SINCE.

favorite spot on campusDANFORTH CHAPEL

one word to describe coach smithPASSIONATE


dream job out of collegeSPORTS JOURNALIST

favorite gameday traditionDANCING BEFORE GAMES IN THE LOCKER ROOM

JAYHAWKS

34

ROSIE

JUNIOROF | 5-7 | L-RLAWRENCE, KAN.FREE STATE HS

2011 SOPHOMORE SEASONStarted 49 games for the Jayhawks, 34 in the outfield and 15 as the designated hitter, and posted a .244 batting average in the process... Tied for second-most stolen bases on the team (9-for-12)... Drove in 13 RBIs for the year... Blasted her first career homerun against No. 25 North Carolina to help the Jayhawks upset the Tarheels on the first day of the season (2/11)... Cranked out hits in eight of the Jayhawks’ first 10 games to help her team to a program-best 10-0 start... Notched a season high three hits in a 3-for-4 performance at Stetson (2/19)... Her two-run single up the middle was the difference in KU’s victory against UMKC (3/30)... Finished the season with hits in four of the last six games of the season, including a single at Big 12 foe Iowa State (4/23) and a hit in each game in the Jayhawks’ doubleheader sweep at Wichita State (4/27).

2010 FRESHMAN SEASONLed the Jayhawks with a .350 batting average and shared team lead with 55 hits... Named the team’s Offensive Player of the Year... Led KU’s outfielders with 58 putouts... Recorded a team-best 10-game hitting streak and had 13 contests of multiple hits... Opened the season with seven hits in her first seven at-bats... Went 3-for-3 and scored twice in her first career start at No. 3/9 Florida (2/19)... Went 13-for-20 (.650) during the San Diego Classic II (3/17-20), which raised her batting average by more than 80 points... Had two 4-for-4 outings- vs. Missouri State (3/14) and vs. UIC (3/20)... Also scored twice and drove in a run versus the Flames... Scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning at San Diego (3/20)... Finished 3-for-3 and scored three times vs. Harvard (3/19).

PERSONALBorn Rose Renee Hull in Topeka, Kan.... Daughter of Rob and Marilyn Hull... Has three siblings: Marie, Jack and Maggie... Twin sister Maggie is also a junior on the KU softball team... Over 15 relatives have attended KU... A human biology major.

HULL

KANSASCAREER

R. HULL’S CAREER STATISTICS


35

nicknameRO or ROSIE RO

warm-up songGET LOOSE by 116 CLIQUE

i wear no. 14EIGHT IS GREAT! ALSO, YOGI BERRA WORE IT SO THAT DEFINITELY HELPS, TOO.

favorite spot on campusTHE PULSE COFFEESHOP IN THE BURGE UNION

one word to describe coach smithFIGHTER

biggest role modelMY MOM. SHE HAS TAUGHT ME TO FIND POSITIVES IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE. SHE’S ALWAYS SUPPORTED ME AND ALLOWED ME TO CHASE MY OWN DREAMS AND PASSIONS.

dream job out of collegeTO BE A PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANT, SEEING PATIENTS AND ASSISTING IN SURGERY. ITS ALSO A DREAM TO SPEND MY SUMMERS DOING MEDICAL MISSIONS.

favorite gameday traditionWAVING THE WHEAT WITH HOME RUNS!

JAYHAWKS

36

MARISSA

SENIORINF | 5-4 | R-ROLATHE, KAN.OLATHE NORTH HS

2011 JUNIOR SEASONStarted 49 games primarily at third base with one start each at second base and designated hitter... Posted a .301 batting average with seven home runs, six doubles, 33 RBIs and 16 runs scored... Had a team-best 7.4 AB-to-strikeout ratio after only striking out 18 times in 133 at bats... Recorded nine multi-RBI games, including five contests with at least three RBIs... Hit three home runs in her final eight games of the season... Went 4-for-4 with a home run and a career-high six RBIs against Bethune-Cookman (Feb. 19)...Hit her first career grand slam against Jacksonville (Feb. 12) as part of a 2-for-3 day at the plate... Hit her second grand slam of the season against San Diego (3/6) to help guide Kansas to a 7-0 victory over the Toreros... Went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs against UNC-Greensboro (2/25)... Had two extra-base hits in three at bats against Wichita State (4/27) with an RBI double and a two-run homer to help Kansas defeat the Shockers, 11-3... Went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run against Iowa State (4/22) in her only start as designated hitter for the season... Stole two bases against Bethune-Cookman (2/12).

2010 SOPHOMORE SEASONPlayed at second base during her first two career starts but moved across the diamond to third base for the remainder of the season... Tied for team-lead with six home runs... Second on the team during Big 12 Conference play with a .257 batting average and led the team with eight RBIs... Went 3-for-3 with two doubles and a home run to drive in four runs versus Marshall (2/21)... Hit a double and a home run for three RBIs in the first game of a doubleheader versus Missouri State (3/14)... Recorded two RBIs off two hits in KU’s win versus Iowa State (5/8).

2009 FRESHMAN SEASONMade seven appearances for the Jayhawks, mainly as a designated hitter... Had an at bat in the team’s first conference series of the year at Oklahoma State (3/22)... Played two innings at second base in the nightcap of a doubleheader versus UMKC (4/14)... Recorded her first career assist at second base in the first game at Wichita State to end the contest (4/28).

PERSONALBorn Marissa Lynne Ingle in Independence, Mo.... Daughter of Mark and Lorie Ingle… Has an older brother, Kyle… A health and physical education major.

INGLE

KANSASCAREER

INGLE’S CAREER STATISTICS

YR GP-GS AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB SLG% BB HBP SO OB% SB-ATT PO A E FLD%2009 7-0 .000 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 3 .000 0-0 0 1 0 1.0002010 48-47 .168 113 14 19 5 0 6 19 42 .372 10 1 40 .238 0-0 21 89 12 .9022011 49-49 .301 133 16 40 6 0 7 33 67 .504 16 4 18 .392 2-3 45 99 11 .929 104-96 .233 253 30 59 11 0 13 52 109 .431 26 5 61 .315 2-3 66 189 23 .917

37

nicknameRIZZO

i wear no. 21IT’S MY FAVORITE NUMBER. IT’S THE BEST NUMBER EVER. PLUS, IT WAS SAMMY SOSA’S NUMBER AND HE WAS A GREAT BALLPLAYER.

favorite spot on campusWESCOE BEACH. THE ATMOSPHERE IS ONE OF A KIND AND LOOKING OVER THE HILLS OF CAMPUS ARE THE PRETTIEST VIEWS.

one word to describe coach smithMOTIVATED

biggest role modelMY PARENTS. THEY RAISED ME THE RIGHT WAY AND I ADMIRE EVERYTHING THEY DO.

dream job out of collegeI WANT TO BE A HEAD COORDINATOR/COACH FOR THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS. TO MAKE OTHER PEOPLE HAPPY WOULD BE THE BEST JOB EVER.

favorite gameday traditionPRAYER AND ALMA MATER WITH THE GIRLS

JAYHAWKS

38

ALEX

JUNIORP/OF | 5-7 | L-RENID, OKLA.ENID HS

2012 JUNIOR SEASONWill redshirt the 2012 season due to an ACL tear in the fall.

2011 SOPHOMORE SEASONStarted all 53 games, splitting time between centerfield and the pitching circle... Hit .293 on the season and ranked second on the squad with 53 hits, all singles... Her speed led the team as she swiped 15-of-17 bases in 2011... Also a threat in the circle, her 2.55 ERA led the Jayhawk pitching staff as she built a 6-2 record... Appeared in 15 games and started 10 as a pitcher and allowed just 17 earned runs in 46.2 innings of work...Led the staff in opposing batting average (.233)... Threw the first complete game shutout of her career in the Jayhawks’ 8-0 run rule at Stetson (2/20), setting a new career-high strikeout count (8) in the process while going 2-for-4 at the plate... Racked up eight hits to power the Jayhawks to a flawless 4-0 record at the North Florida Tournament (3/11-13)... Tied her career-high, three-hit performance three times during her sophomore campaign, at Troy (3/5), vs. Alabama State (3/12) and vs. Delaware State (3/12)... Went 2-for-3 in the second game of the Jayhawks’ Big 12 series opener against Missouri (3/23)... Drove in a run at Texas Tech (4/13)... Posted two-hit games against Nebraska (4/3) and at Iowa State (4/22)... Tossed back-to-back shutout relief stints to end the season with 1.1 innings of work at Iowa State (4/23) and 5.0 scoreless at Wichita State (4/27).

2010 FRESHMAN SEASONOne of two freshmen to start all 56 games... Owned a .545 success rate advancing runners as a slap hitter... Eight of her 12 RBIs came during two-out situations... Had a two-run double and a walk at No. 3/9 Florida (2/19)... Hit .438 during the San Diego Classic II (3/17-20)... Recorded at least one hit in each of the last five games during the San Diego Classic II... Connected for a season-best three hits three times in 2009- vs. Marshall (2/21), vs. Austin Peay (2/28) and vs. Nebraska (4/14).

PERSONALDaughter of Jeff and Sherri Jones... Has two sisters, Sydni and Bayli... Sydni is a senior softball player at Iowa State... A National Honor Society member and her school’s valedictorian... Graduated with honors and distinction... Undecided on a major.

JONES

KANSASCAREER

JONES’ CAREER STATISTICS (BATTING)YR GP-GS AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB SLG% BB HBP SO OB% SB-ATT PO A E FLD%2010 53-53 .301 183 29 55 3 3 0 10 64 .350 7 1 41 .330 12-14 46 29 1 .9872011 53-53 .293 181 31 53 0 0 0 2 53 .293 11 1 42 .337 15-17 47 13 2 .968 106-106 .297 364 60 108 3 3 0 12 117 .321 18 2 83 .333 27-31 93 42 3 .978

JONES’ CAREER STATISTICS (PITCHING)YR ERA W-L APP GS CG SH/CV SV IP H R ER BB SO 2B 3B HR BF B/AVG WP HBP2010 3.78 7-9 24 23 7 3/0 0 92.2 106 58 50 38 51 26 3 8 424 .286 10 32011 2.55 6-2 15 10 1 1/1 0 46.2 40 24 17 27 38 5 0 5 206 .233 5 1 3.37 13-11 39 33 8 4/1 0 139.1 146 82 67 65 89 31 3 13 630 .269 15 4

39

nicknameAJ or AJ JONES

i wear no. 13MY SISTER WORE IT WHEN SHE WAS LITTLE BUT 13 IS THE ONLY NUMBER I HAVE EVER BEEN. OF COURSE, IT’S LUCKY, AND I HAVE A THING FOR ODD NUMBERS.

favorite spot on campusBEHIND WESCOE BEACH, SITTING ON THE LEDGE OVERLOOKING THE WHOLE CAMPUS BELOW. WHEN THE SUN IS SETTING, THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE TO BE.

one word to describe coach smithPASSION

biggest role modelMY LITTLE SISTER, BAYLI

dream job out of collegePHYSICAL THERAPIST

favorite gameday traditionPREGAME PRAYER AND THE ROCK CHALK CHANT

JAYHAWKS

40

LIZ

RS SENIOROF | 5-7 | L-LKATY, TEXASJAMES E. TAYLOR HS

2011 REDSHIRT JUNIOR SEASONStarted all 53 games, splitting time in right field and as the Jayhawks’ designated hitter... Her .322 batting average ranked second on the team, while her 14 homeruns led the squad... Also tallied the team-best slugging (.664) and on-base (.457) percentages... Crossed the plate 34 times, tying her for second most on the team... Racked up 12 multiple-hit and multiple-RBI games... Was a force with a runner on third and less than two outs, hitting .733 with 12 two-out RBIs... Kicked off the season with four hits, four RBIs, a homerun and a double at the Jacksonville University Tournament (2/11-13)... Went yard twice against Bethune-Cookman (2/19) for her first of two multiple-home run games of the season and the third and fourth times of her career... Tore through the end of February on a season-high seven-game hit streak that included 11 runs scored, 12 RBIs and four home runs in a week’s span... Plated the Jayhawks’ first run with a solo shot against Georgia Tech, which Kansas won in extra innings, 3-2 (3/19)... Helped KU to a split against UMKC (3/30), going 4-for-7 with a home run... Connected for a pair of doubles against Oklahoma State (4/10) before cranking out another homer in the Jayhawks’ next Big 12 series, defeating Texas Tech, 9-5 (4/13)... Tied a career-high three-hit output at Wichita State (4/27), where she also matched her career-best four RBI performance.

2010 REDSHIRTRedshirted the 2010 season... Started the first five games of the 2010 season before suffering a season-ending injury.

2009 SOPHOMORE SEASONPlayed 51 games in the KU outfield, including 47 starts... Shared the team lead with 30 RBIs... Her nine home runs were second-best on the squad and tied for the ninth-most single-season home runs at KU... Led the Jayhawks with six homers and eight runs batted in during Big 12 play... The six homers in conference games ranked third in the Big 12... One of toughest Jayhawks to strikeout with only 27 Ks in 132 at bats... Led the team with eight multi-RBI games and had 10 contests with multiple hits... Batted in two runs in an 8-7 win versus No. 9 Northwestern (2/7)... Hit two home runs at Texas Tech (4/4) and again at Wichita State (4/28)... Tied a career best with four RBIs at WSU.

2008 FRESHMAN SEASONMade 49 starts in 51 appearances in the outfield...Led KU freshmen with a .278 batting average, third-best on the team overall...Third on the team with 37 hits, while her 26 RBIs were second...Led the team with 13 RBIs in conference games... Recorded a .444 slugging percentage and tallied seven doubles and five home runs during the season... Batted in multiple runs seven times and had four multi-hit contests... Averaged .833 from the plate with runners on third and less than two outs... Picked up a double and scored a run in her first collegiate appearance against Central Arkansas (Feb. 8)... Collected a career-high four RBIs on a grand slam at Baylor (April 5)...Finished a career-best 3-for-4, including a home run, in a 4-3 victory versus Missouri State (March 26).

KOCON

KANSASCAREER

KOCON’S CAREER STATISTICSYR GP-GS AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB SLG% BB HBP SO OB% SB-ATT PO A E FLD%2008 51-49 .278 133 17 37 7 0 5 26 59 .444 6 4 26 .320 3-3 29 2 1 .9692009 51-47 .273 132 17 36 7 0 9 30 70 .530 11 2 27 .333 3-6 24 4 3 .9032010 5-5 .154 13 2 2 1 0 0 4 3 .231 2 0 5 .250 1-1 5 0 0 1.0002011 53-53 .322 146 34 47 8 0 14 40 97 .664 30 7 31 .457 2-2 22 2 2 .923

41

nicknameLIZ

walk-up songFOCUSED by WALE

i wear no. 9I HAVE SINCE I WAS LITTLE.

favorite spot on campusON TOP OF THE HILL, OVERLOOKING POTTER’S LAKE AND MEMORIAL STADIUM

one word to describe coach smithINSPIRING

biggest role modelMY MOTHER

dream job out of collegeWELLNESS COORDINATOR FOR A HOSPITAL

favorite gameday traditionGETTING TO PUT ON MY UNIFORM AND REPRESENT KANSAS

JAYHAWKS

42

KRISTIN

SOPHOMOREP | 5-4 | L-LTEXAS CITY, TEXASO’CONNEL COLLEGE PREP

2011 FRESHMAN SEASONAppeared in 34 games with 23 starts at pitcher... Named the team’s Rookie of the Year... Posted a 12-10 record with one save... Pitched a team-high two complete-game shutouts... Tied for the team lead with 78 strikeouts... Posted an ERA of 3.31 in 127.0 innings pitched... Tossed eight complete games, which was one shy of Allie Clark for the team lead... Began her Jayhawk career with a 7-0 record and a 1.26 ERA after 11 appearances, which included six starts... Earned a save in her collegiate debut after striking out one batter and allowing only one baserunner in 2.1 innings to preserve a 5-4 victory against No. 25 North Carolina in the season opener (2/11)... Struck out five while only allowing two hits and one walk in a complete-game shutout against Minnesota (2/27) to give Kansas a 1-0 win... Threw her second career complete-game shutout against San Jose State (March 6), scattering four hits and three walks in her seven innings... Struck-out a season-high nine batters against UMKC (March 30) while only walking one batter in six innings... Improved her record to 12-1 after a complete game against Coastal Carolina (March 20) in which she struck out four and walked none to guide Kansas to a 6-2 victory.

PERSONALBorn Kristin Angela Martinez in Texas City, Texas... Daughter of Gilbert and Mechelle Martinez... Has a younger brother, Adrian... Plans to major in pre-med.

MARTINEZ’S CAREER STATISTICS

YR ERA W-L APP GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER BB SO 2B 3B HR BF B/AVG WP HBP2011 3.31 12-10 34 23 8 2/2 1 127.0 144 74 60 38 78 21 1 17 586 .280 1 15

MARTINEZ

KANSASCAREER

43

nicknameKMART

walk-up songHALFTIME by YING YANG TWINS

i wear no. 10BECAUSE I’VE BEEN NO. 10 SINCE I STARTED PLAYING. IT’S MY FAVORITE NUMBER.

favorite spot on campusALLEN FIELDHOUSE

one word to describe coach smithHUMBLE

biggest role modelMY MOM AND DAD

dream job out of collegeNEO-NATAL NURSE AS WELL AS VOLUNTEERING AT A HUMANE SOCIETY

favorite gameday traditionROCK CHALK CHANT

JAYHAWKS

44

MARIAH

JUNIORINF | 5-6 | R-RRALSTON, NEB.RALSTON HS

2011 SOPHOMORE SEASONStarted all 53 games for the Jayhawks with 44 starts at second base to begin the season and the final nine at shortstop... Hit .299 with 10 home runs, six doubles, 33 RBIs and 33 runs scored... Tied for the team lead with 30 walks... Third on team with .412 on-base percentage... Earned two walks in the same game five times... Had eight multi-RBI games, including two with three RBIs... Had her first career multi-homer game against Wichita State (4/27) on a 2-for-3 day at the plate with a walk, two RBIs and three runs scored... Had a season-best three hits against Alabama State (3/12) in a game where she was a perfect 3-for-3 with a double, a walk, an RBI and a career-high four runs scored... Hit a two-run homer in the first inning against No. 25 North Carolina to propel Kansas to a 5-4 victory in the season opener... Went 2-for-3 against San Jose State (3/4) with a double, a home run and two RBIs.

2010 FRESHMAN SEASONOne of two freshmen to start all 56 games... Named All-Big 12 Second Team... Awarded team MVP by the KU coaching staff... Led KU with 11 doubles, 26 walks and 25 RBIs... Her 26 walks rank ninth all-time in a KU single season... Second on the team with a .302 batting average and 48 hits... Picked up momentum during the second half of the season to pace the Jayhawks with a .294 batting average during Big 12 Conference games... Struck out just three times during her last 45 at-bats, a span of 15 games, to go along with a .400 average... Scored three times and had three hits, including a pair of doubles, versus Marshall (2/21)... Batted in a season-high three runs on a 4-for-4 outing versus Harvard (3/19)... Had a string of four-straight contests with multiple hits (4/24-28)... Recorded back-to-back games with a home run: at Nebraska (4/22) and vs. Texas Tech (2/24).

PERSONALBorn Mariah Kasey Montgomery in Honolulu, Hawaii... Daughter of Terry and Kim Ladner and Scott and Lita Montgomery... Has three siblings: Mitch, Hailey and Gracie... Was given the nickname “Mia” by her teammates and coaches of her little league soccer team after Mia Hamm... Plans to major in sports management.

MONTGOMERY’S CAREER STATISTICS


MONTGOMERY

KANSASCAREER

45

nicknameMIA

i wear no. 23FOR TWO REASONS, ONE IT’S A MIXTURE OF 22 AND 13 - THEY WERE MY NUMBERS IN HIGH SCHOOL. TWO, MICHAEL JORDAN.


one word to describe coach smithINTENSE

biggest role modelMY PARENTS

dream job out of collegeMASSAGE THERAPIST FOR A PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM

favorite gameday traditionSWAYING TO OUR ALMA MATER, I GET GOOSEBUMPS EVERY TIME.

JAYHAWKS

46

ELSA

SOPHOMOREOF | 5-4 | R-RKIRKLAND, WASH.LAKE WASHINGTON HS

2011 FRESHMAN SEASONSaw action in 19 games, mostly as a pinch runner with two appearances in the outfield... Scored five runs for the Jayhawks... A perfect 2-for-2 in stolen base attempts... Stole a base and scored a run in her collegiate debut against Bethune-Cookman (2/12)... First collegiate at-bat came against Iowa State (4/23).

PERSONALBorn Elsa Moyer in Hong Kong, China... Daughter of Robert and Christine Moyer... Has a younger brother, Max... Father also attended KU... Uncle, Steve, played football at Chattanooga; uncle, Donald, played football at Auburn and great aunt, Allison, played tennis at Rice... Plans to major in journalism like her father.

MOYER’S CAREER STATISTICS

YR GP-GS AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB SLG% BB HBP SO OB% SB-ATT PO A E FLD%2011 19-0 .000 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 0 2-2 0 0 0 .000

MOYER

KANSASCAREER

47

nicknameELS, ELSA MAE, SHMELS

i wear no. 20BECAUSE MY FRIEND BAILEY STENSON WORE THE NO. 20 WHEN SHE PLAYED IN COLLEGE. SHE HAS BEEN A HUGE INFLUENCE IN MY LIFE.

favorite spot on campusALLEN FIELDHOUSE. THERE IS SO MUCH TRADITION AROUND THE GAME OF BASKETBALL AT KU.

one word to describe coach smithHUMBLE

biggest role modelMY MOM, SHE HAS GONE TO THE MOON AND BACK

dream job out of collegeSOMEONE WHO BUYS CLOTHES FOR BIG, HIGH-END STORES LIKE NORDSTROMS OR BARNEY’S

favorite gameday traditionTHE ROCK CHALK CHANT!!

JAYHAWKS

48

CHANIN

FRESHMANINF | 5-8 | R-RLAS FLORES, CALIF.PRINCETON HS

PRINCETON HIGH SCHOOLLettered in softball all four years at Princeton HS for coach Craig Deputy... Guided the Panthers to the regional semi-finals in 2009 and 2010 before leading them to a Bi-District Championship in 2011... Posted a .538 batting average her senior season, complete with five home runs and 30 RBIs... In 2011, Naudin was named the VYPE Magazine North Texas/Colin County Softball Player of the Year... Also took home first-team all-region and District 13-3A MVP honors after her senior year... Named All-District Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and selected all-area for a second-straight year... An all-district first team member her sophomore season... Also lettered in track, cross country and soccer two years.

CLUBPlayed for Ed Naudin on the American Athletics for four years before joining the Texas Glory Gold under coach Kevin Shelton... In 2007, her American Athletes team became the youngest squad to ever win 14U Nationals... Also won 10U Nationals in 2004.

PERSONALBorn Chanin Luz Naudin in Orange, Calif.... Daughter of Ed and Cheri Naudin... Has two siblings, Nick and Chele... Would like to study sports nutrition.

NAUDIN

HIGH SCHOOLCAREER

49

nicknameCHAN CHAN

walk-up songDANA WAR by EVERYONE DIES IN UTAH

i wear no. 28BECAUSE NO. 8 AND 18 WERE TAKEN.

favorite spot on campusSOFTBALL LOCKER ROOM


biggest role modelMY PARENTS. I CAN’T CHOOSE BETWEEN THE TWO

dream job out of collegeMARKETING AND MANAGEMENT FOR THE TEXAS RANGERS

favorite gameday traditionWHEN WE SCORE RUNS, WE YELL “ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK KU!” AND THEN SAY “BEAK ‘EM” FOR EVERY RUN SCORED

JAYHAWKS

50

ASHLEY

SOPHOMOREINF | 5-8 | R-RSALINA, KAN.SALINA SOUTH HS

2011 FRESHMAN SEASONStarted all 53 of the team’s games, including the first 44 at shortstop with eight starts at second base and one as designated hitter... Successful on 9-of-10 stolen base attempts... Tied for the team lead with five sacrifice hits... Posted a .255 batting average with 19 runs and six RBIs... Began the season strong with a .400 batting average through the team’s first 12 games and maintained a .300 batting average to the midway point of the season (27th game)... Went a perfect 3-for-3 with two stolen bases and a run scored in her collegiate debut to help Kansas upset No. 25 North Carolina, 5-4 (2/11)... Scored a season-high four runs and stole a base in a 17-7 victory against Bethune-Cookman (2/19)... Recorded her first career multi-RBI game in a 2-for-4 performance against Stetson (2/19)... Had her second three-hit game of the season against Georgia Tech (3/19) when she went 3-for-4 with a run scored... Hit a triple against Nebraska (4/3) for her lone extra-base hit of the season.

PERSONALBorn Ashley Shawnté Newman... Daughter of Lester and Joanne Newman... Has two brothers, Anthony and Aaron... Would like to major in pre-medicine... Cousin, Terence Newman, played football for Kansas State and then the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL.

NEWMAN’S CAREER STATISTICS

YR GP-GS AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB SLG% BB HBP SO OB% SB-ATT PO A E FLD%2011 53-53 .255 145 19 37 0 1 0 6 39 .269 6 0 23 .285 9-10 70 97 18 .903

NEWMAN

KANSASCAREER

51

nicknameNEW

i wear no. 22BECAUSE IT’S AN EVEN NUMBER AND HAD “2” IN IT



biggest role modelMY PARENTS. THEY ARE HARD WORKING PEOPLE WHO ARE MY #1 FANS.

favorite gameday traditionROCK CHALK CHANT AT THE END OF GAMES

JAYHAWKS

52

ALICIA

FRESHMANP | 5-8 | R-RROYSE CITY, TEXASROYSE CITY HS

ROYSE CITY HIGH SCHOOLPlayed four years for coach Michelle Booker at Royse City HS... Named the District 13-4A MVP after throwing 16 shutouts, nine no-hitters, three perfect games, striking out 431 batters and posting a 0.32 ERA during her senior season... Helped the Bulldogs to a bi-district championship in 2010... During that same season, she threw two perfect games and nine shutouts while averaging just over 16 strikeouts per game... Named University Interscholastic League (UIL) Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2010 and 2009 and was selected as the UIL Newcomer of the Year as a freshman in 2008... Royse City made a regional quarter final appearance her freshman season... Also lettered in cross country twice... A National Honor Society, student council and FCA member.

CLUBA member of the Texas Rapid Fire Gold under coach Brian Menefee.

PERSONALBorn Alicia Pille in Garland, Texas... Daughter of Dean and Angela Pille... Has two siblings, Shelby and Austin... Plans to major in exercise science.

PILLE

HIGH SCHOOLCAREER

53

JAYHAWKS

54

CASSEN

FRESHMANOF | 5-5 | L-LSPRING, TEXASKLEIN OAK HS

KLEIN OAK HIGH SCHOOLLettered four years for coach Javier Vela... Had a dynamic senior season, recorded a .568 batting average and stole 24 bases... Named first-team greater Houston in 2011... An all-district first team selection as a junior... Led the team with 23 stolen bases in 24 attempts... Guided Panthers to a regional semi-final in 2008... 2009 and 2008 squads named area champs.

CLUBPlayed for the Texas Eclipse Gold under coach Ken Glass.

PERSONALBorn Cassen Brooke Salamone in Houston, Texas... Daughter of Roque and Tiffany Ortega... Has two siblings, Cameron and Jillian... Undecided on major.

SALAMONE

HIGH SCHOOLCAREER

55

nicknameCASS

i wear no. 1BECAUSE I’VE BEEN NO. 1 MY WHOLE LIFE

favorite spot on campusALLEN FIELDHOUSE.

one word to describe coach smithINSPIRING


dream job out of collegeI WANT TO BE A NURSE.

favorite gameday traditionTHE ROCK CHALK CHANT

JAYHAWKS

56

ASHLEY

SENIORP | 5-8 | R-RWEIR, KAN.SOUTHEAST HSCOWLEY COLLEGE

2011 JUNIOR SEASONMade 15 appearances as a pitcher... Struck out 14 batters in 31.1 innings... Earned her first save as a Jayhawk against Bethune-Cookman (2/19) when she allowed one hit in 1.2 innings. Had three scoreless outings of at least one inning... Struck out a season-high three batters against Oklahoma (4/6)... Had two strikeouts in a perfect inning of relief against Alabama State (3/12).

COWLEY COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGEPitched for two seasons at Cowley County CC in Arkansas City, Kan.... Earned All-American second team honors both seasons... Helped Cowley County to its sixth-straight Jayhawk East Conference championship as a sophomore in 2010... Named Jayhawk East Conference MVP after posting a 24-1 record with a 1.20 earned run average her freshman year when the Tigers placed fifth at nationals... Team earned a top-10 national ranking during the 2009 season... Also proved to be a valuable asset at the plate posting a .356 batting average, four home runs and 23 runs batted in.

SPENCER

COLLEGIATECAREER

SPENCER’S CAREER STATISTICS (at Kansas)

YR ERA W-L APP GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER BB SO 2B 3B HR BF B/AVG WP HBP2011 6.93 0-1 15 0 0 0/1 1 31.1 59 38 31 29 14 8 0 2 150 .393 9 4

57

nicknameSPENCER OR SPENCE

i wear no. 11BECAUSE IT’S BEEN MY NUMBER SINCE I WAS A FRESHMAN IN HIGH SCHOOL.

favorite spot on campusALLEN FIELDHOUSE, THE LAST TWO MINUTES OF THE GAME WHEN WE WIN


biggest role modelMY MOM BECAUSE SHE PLAYED COLLEGE SOFTBALL AND IS THE REASON I PLAY THIS FABULOUS GAME NOW

dream job out of collegeTO BE A PITCHING COACH AT A UNIVERSITY AND TO WORK WITH CHILDREN LEARNING THE GAME

favorite gameday traditionTHE ROCK CHALK CHANT AT THE END OF THE GAME WHEN WE WIN. THE FANS START IN WITH US AND IT’S AMAZING.

JAYHAWKS

58

MADISON

FRESHMANINF/OF/C | 5-10 | L-REL RENO, OKLA.EL RENO HS

EL RENO HIGH SCHOOLLettered in softball four years at El Reno HS for coach Lynetta Keller... Led the Indians to four-straight Regional Championships, including the state quarterfinals in her junior and senior seasons... Posted a .509 batting average with 21 doubles and a .750 slugging percentage in her senior season to earn all-region and her fourth-straight Suburban all-conference award, all at the catching position... Named an all-state catcher in 2010 and 2011... Awarded all-big city third base in 2009... Recorded a slugging percentage over .700 and a .500-plus batting average in both her junior and senior seasons... Also lettered in tennis for four years and basketball for one.

CLUBPlayed for the Oklahoma Athletics Gold and coached by Brian Madden... Team won 16U Canada Cup in 2006, AFA 16U Nationals in 2007 and USSSA 18U Nationals in 2009.

PERSONALBorn Madison Brooke Stein in Oklahoma City, Okla.... Daughter of Steve Stein and Amy Jones... Has a younger sister, Molly... Cousin, Bob Stein, played football for the Kansas City Chiefs and was a member of the 1969 Super Bowl IV team... Plans to major in sports medicine with dreams of going on to med school to become an orthopedic surgeon.

STEIN

HIGH SCHOOLCAREER

59

nicknameMADDIE OR MADS

i wear no. 34BECAUSE MY DAD WORE THIS NUMBER, I HAVE WORN IT AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER

favorite spot on campusALLEN FIELDHOUSE, ESPECIALLY AT THE END OF A GAME WE HAVE WON

one word to describe coach smithINFLUENTIAL

biggest role modelMY PARENTS. THEY ARE MY BIGGEST FANS AND THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN MY LIFE

dream job out of collegeWORK FOR ESPN AS A SPORTS BROADCASTER

favorite gameday traditionROCK CHALK CHANT AFTER GAMES. IT’S AN UNDESCRIBABLE FEELING WHEN EVERYONE IS STANDING UP AND SINGING ALONG WHILE MY TEAMMATES AND I ARE LINKING ARMS SINGING BACK

JAYHAWKS

60

EMILY

FRESHMANP | 5-7 | R-RHAMILTON CITY, CALIF.HAMILTON HS

HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOLA four-time all-league selection and team MVP at Hamilton HS... An impact player, she earned Female Athlete of the Year honors at Hamilton HS and the Northern Section... Led the Braves to Northern Section (Division 5) and Mid-Valley League championships... Named to Cal-Hi Sports All-State First Team as a junior and was also awarded her first of two league MVP accolades... Owns the North Section record for career strikeouts with 1,331 Ks... Also lettered in basketball and volleyball... Hamilton’s Student of the Year in 2011 and class valedictorian.

CLUBPlayed for the North Valley Rapids under head coach Tito Cervantes... Led her team to back-to-back appearances at ASA Nationals.

PERSONALBorn Emily Armida Acree Stokes in Chico, Calif.... Daughter of Ken and Carolyn Stokes... Has an older sister, Laura, who played softball at Kentucky State and Chico State... Plans to major in exercise science.

STOKES

HIGH SCHOOLCAREER

61

nicknameSTOKIE, STOKES, EM

warm up songI MADE IT by KEVIN RUDOLPHSUMMERTIME by KENNY CHESNEY

i wear no. 12BECAUSE IT’S ALWAYS BEEN MY FAVORITE SPORTS NUMBER

favorite spot on campusALLEN FIELDHOUSE


biggest role modelMY PARENTS AND SISTER

favorite gameday traditionSINGING THE ALMA MATER AFTER A WIN

JAYHAWKS

62

INTRO

THird year aT Kansas

sixTH year overall

norTH carolina 1999

Megan Smith enters her third season as head coach of the Jayhawk softball team in 2012. The eighth head coach in program history, Smith has made major strides in just two quick seasons in Lawrence. Smith, who previously spent three seasons as an assistant coach at perennial power Louisiana State University, was named the Jayhawks’ head coach on June 24, 2009.

In 2011, Smith guided her team to an 11.5-game improvement from the 2010 season, which is the 16th-best turnaround in NCAA history. She did so with one of the toughest schedules in recent memory, as Kansas softball persevered through a hefty travel schedule and challenging conference season to wrap up her second campaign with a 31-22 overall mark. Slightly less than half of the opponents KU matched up against were top 25 opponents. Additionally, 12 of the Jayhawks’ foes went on to play in the NCAA Tournament. KU was just shy of its own postseason bid, despite a top-50 RPI and a team-record 60 home runs last season, surpassing the old club record of 54 set back in 2005.

Playing as a member of the Big 12 Conference, the league’s 2011 campaign was once again one of the toughest in the country with at least seven teams ranked in the top 25 all season, while the league averaged an RPI of 23.5, second to only the Pac-10 (19.9).

The Jayhawks went undefeated in the team’s first 10 games, which was the best start to any season in program history. The team later racked up another double-digit win streak, 11 games, to help the Jayhawks win five of its six pre-conference tournaments as they compiled a 26-3 record heading into Big 12 Conference play. KU’s 30-win season also included two upsets over nationally ranked opponents, No. 25 Texas Tech and No. 25 North Carolina.

The red-hot start earned the Crimson and Blue a No. 22 ranking on March 22, by the Ultimate College Softball Poll. It was the first time a KU softball team had been listed in the Top 25 since 2009. Smith’s crew proved their ranking was no fluke as they continued to receive votes for six weeks in at

cOAcHeS

HeAdcoach

63

least one major college softball poll.

Smith guided outfielder Maggie Hull and senior catcher Brittany Hile to NFCA All-Region Second Team recognition, while Hull was also honored with All-Big 12 Second Team accolades. Six of her players were named to the Academic All-Big 12 Team.

In her inaugural season at KU in 2010, Smith’s young team picked up an upset of No. 23 Baylor and a come-from-behind victory at San Diego, while Mariah Montgomery earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors and Amanda Jobe was named ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District.

In addition to Jobe, three other Jayhawks were recognized for their efforts in the classroom as Ally Stanton, Alicia Irwin and Hile were all members of the Academic All-Big 12 team.

Before taking over the reigns at Kansas, Smith helped take the LSU softball team to the NCAA Tournament all three years she was on staff. She also helped the Tigers maintain their status as the third-winningest softball program in the last 12 seasons.

Prior to going to LSU, Smith served as the head coach at Western Carolina in WCU’s inaugural season in 2006. There, Smith orchestrated a storybook season in which the Catamounts compiled a 41-20 record, including a 16-4 conference mark that earned them the regular season championship and warranted conference coach of the year honors for Smith. The Southern Conference also awarded Smith’s players with conference pitcher of the year and freshman of the year accolades, while six Catamounts were named all-conference, including five selections on the first team.

Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in exercise and sport science and recreation administration at North Carolina in 1999. As primarily a third baseman, she served as captain her senior season and was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year. Smith also owns the Tar Heels’ third-most career assists record as well as the program’s single-game RBI record.

An exceptional student, the Walkertown, N.C., native was named to the ACC Honor Roll on three occasions and made the Dean’s List twice. In 2000, she earned her Master’s of Science degree in human performance and sports studies with a concentration in sports management from the University of Tennessee.

Smith and her husband, the late Paul Buske, have a son, Cooper Smith Buske.

64

2010-present Kansas, head coach2007-09 LSU, assistant coach2005-06 Western Carolina, head coach2004 North Carolina, assistant coach2003 Charlotte, assistant coach2001-02 Young Harris (NJCAA), head coach

1996-99 North Carolina

2006 Southern Conference Coach of the Year

cOAcHeS

Academic All-Big 12 Selections

10All-Big 12 Selections

2Game

Improvement from first to second year

(16th in NCAA history)

11.5

65

Alabama A&M 1 0Alabama State 1 0Appalachian State 2 3Austin Peay 1 0Baylor 1 3Bethune-Cookman 3 0Bradley 0 1Brown 1 0Buffalo 2 0Campbell 1 0Charleston Southern 1 0Charlotte 0 1Coastal Carolina 2 0College of Charleston 3 0Creighton 1 1Delaware State 1 0Detroit 1 0Drake 1 1Drexel 1 0East Carolina 1 0Eastern Kentucky 0 1East Tennessee 0 2Elon 2 0Florida 0 1Furman 4 1Gardner-Webb 3 0Georgia Southern 1 2Georgia State 0 1Georgia Tech 1 0Harvard 1 0Houston 1 0Iowa State 2 2Jacksonville 1 0Kentucky 0 1Lipscomb 1 1Long Beach State 0 1Louisville 1 0Marshall 1 1Massachusetts 0 1Mercer 0 2Minnesota 1 1Missouri 0 4

Missouri State 1 1Morehead State 2 0Mount Saint Mary 1 0Nebraska 0 4North Carolina 1 0North Carolina AT&T 3 0Northern Colorado 1 0North Florida 1 0Ohio State 0 1Oklahoma 0 4Oklahoma State 0 4Pittsburgh 0 2Providence 1 0Rutgers 1 0Sam Houston State 1 1San Diego 2 0San Diego State 0 1San Jose State 1 0Siena 2 0South Carolina State 4 0South Dakota State 1 0Southern Illinois 0 1SIU-Edwardsville 0 1St. Francis (Pa.) 2 0Stetson 2 0Tenn.-Chattanooga 4 3Tennessee Tech 2 0Texas 0 4Texas A&M 0 4Texas Tech 1 3Troy 1 0Tulsa 0 2UIC 2 0UMKC 3 1UNC-Greensboro 3 1UNC-Wilmington 2 2UNLV 0 1Valparaiso 1 1Western Illinois 1 0Wichita State 3 1Winthrop 0 1

SEASON SCHOOL OVERALL CONFERENCE2001-02 Young Harris (NJCAA) 79-41 N/A2006 Western Carolina 41-20 16-4, SoCon2010 Kansas 31-22 2-16, Big 122011 Kansas 21-35 2-16, Big 12AT KANSAS 52-57 (.477) 4-32OVERALL(Division I) 93-77 (.547) 20-36OVERALL(NJCAA/DI) 176-118 (.599)

Division I

cOAcHeS

66

Adam Roorbach followed head coach Megan Smith from Louisiana State University to join the Kansas softball program for the 2010 season and returns for his third year as an assistant coach. At Kansas, Roorbach serves as the program’s hitting and outfield coach, while also assisting in game strategy and recruiting.

Under Roorbach, the Jayhawk outfielders continue to flourish. During the 2011 season, outfielder Maggie Hull led the team with a .346 average and 49 RBIs to earn All-Big 12 Second Team honors. As the hitting coach, Roorbach saw the Kansas lineup hit a program-best 60 homeruns in 2011 - nearly doubling the team’s home run total from the previous season. From his first season to his second at KU, the Jayhawks raised their team batting average by more than 40 points.

Roorbach, who has spent five seasons as an assistant at the Division I level and four years as a head coach at the NAIA and junior college levels, joined the KU softball staff after working with Smith at LSU for two seasons as the director of softball operations and also served as Smith’s assistant at Western Carolina in 2006.

While at LSU, Roorbach directed all aspects of game video and team travel, coordinated camps and clinics, and worked with the Tigers’ booster club.

Prior to LSU, Roorbach spent the 2007 season as an assistant coach at Houston. There he helped the Cougars to their first Conference USA regular season and tournament championship in school history, advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004. After knocking off UL-Lafayette and Texas A&M, Houston advanced to the final day of competition at the College Station Regional before falling twice to the Aggies to end its season with a school record 44 wins.

ASSISTANTcoach

THird year aT Kansas

13TH year overall

indiana Wesleyan 1998

67

Roorbach spent the 2006 season as Smith’s assistant at Western Carolina during its inaugural season. That year, Western Carolina posted a 41-20 record and won the Southern Conference Championship. The Catamounts also ranked third nationally with 81 home runs and 12th in the NCAA with a .476 slugging percentage. Three WCU players were ranked nationally statistically and two were named to the NFCA All-Southeastern Region team.

In 2005, Roorbach served as an assistant coach at Nicholls State. Working primarily with the Lady Colonel hitters and outfielders, Nicholls set a school record with 31 home runs and improved its team batting average by 29 points over the previous season.

Roorbach moved to the Division I level at Nicholls after serving for three seasons as the head coach at NAIA affiliate Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind. From 2002-04, his teams compiled a 102-56 record, won three consecutive Mid-Central Conference Championships and qualified for the NAIA Regional and National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Tournaments all three years.

Earning 2003 Mid-Central Conference Coach of the Year honors, Roorbach guided 14 Pilot players to All-Mid-Central Conference awards. Equally as impressive, all three of his teams were awarded the prestigious NFCA Top 10 Academic Team Award and 17 of his players were named NFCA Academic All-Americans.

Before taking the job at Bethel, Roorbach spent one season as the head coach at Andrew College in Cuthbert, Ga. In his only season, he guided the Tigers to a 14-18 record, a 13-win improvement over the previous year’s 1-32 mark. In addition, he faced Smith on the field for the first time as Andrew College took on Young Harris College, where Smith was the head coach.

A native of Marion, Ind., Roorbach graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in 1998 with a double major in business administration and sports management. While attending Indiana Wesleyan, he served as an assistant softball coach and also the school’s sports information director. He went on to earn his master’s degree in physical education from Eastern Illinois in 2000.

SEASON TEAM2010-present Kansas, assistant coach2008-09 LSU, director of softball operations2007 Houston, assistant coach2006 Western Carolina, assistant coach2005 Nicholls State, assistant coach2002-04 Bethel College (NAIA), head coach2001 Andrew College (NJCAA), head coach1999-00 Indiana Wesleyan (NAIA), assistant coach

cOAcHeS

68

Former All-American softball player and the second-overall selection in the National Professional Fastpitch (NPF) Senior Draft, D.J. Mathis enters her second season as an assistant coach at Kansas.

In her first year directing the Jayhawk pitching staff, Mathis helped the pitchers lower the staff’s ERA by more than half of a run. KU’s pitchers also struck out more batters than the season before and lowered their opponent’s batting average in Mathis’ first year on staff.

A native of Alton, Ill., Mathis served as a student assistant coach at Oklahoma for the 2010 season, during which the Sooners won the Big 12 Softball Championship and advanced to an NCAA Super Regional before wrapping their season with a 47-12 overall record. While on staff at OU, Mathis helped develop the Sooners into one of the top pitching squads in the country as Oklahoma was second in the nation with a 1.39 team ERA. She was also instrumental in developing All-Big 12 First Team freshman pitcher Keilani Ricketts, who led the Big 12 with a 1.24 ERA and 32 wins.

The second overall pick in the 2009 National Pro Fastpitch Senior Draft by the Akron Racers, Mathis was a standout pitcher at the University of Oklahoma from 2006-09 and left OU as one of the most decorated pitchers in school history. She owns the program’s second-best winning percentage (.768) after going 76-23 in four seasons with the Sooners and posted a 1.90 career ERA. She is listed in the top 10 of seven additional Oklahoma career pitching statistics including third in appearances (138) and

ASSISTANTcoach

second year aT Kansas

second year overall

oKlaHoma 2009

69

victories (76), fourth in strikeouts (597), sixth in innings pitched (637.0) and games started (100), seventh in shutouts (25) and eighth in complete games (54).

During her career as a student-athlete, Mathis helped the Sooners to four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances and the 2007 Big 12 Softball Championship. A 2009 NFCA All-Central First Team selection, Mathis was also named to the All-Big 12 First Team and Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team in her season campaign after going 18-4 on the year with a 2.25 earned run average. She also garnered Second Team All-America, First Team All-Midwest Region and All-Big 12 First Team accolades for her 31-7 record and 1.18 ERA as a junior in 2008.

A two-time all-American in softball at Roxana High School in Roxana, Ill., Mathis also earned all-state honors three times and is the Illinois state record holder with 1,450 career strikeouts.

Mathis lives in Lawrence with her husband, Kyle Sanchez. The couple have a baby boy named Cal.

SEASON (COACHING) TEAM2011-present Kansas, Assistant Coach2010 Oklahoma, Student Assistant CoachSEASON (PLAYING) TEAM2009 Akron Racers (NPF, second-overall draft pick)2006-09 Oklahoma

cOAcHeS

70

Former Jayhawk great and current professional player with the NPF Diamonds, Brittany Hile enters her first season as the Jayhawks’ volunteer assistant coach in the spring of 2012 after completing her first semester as a student assistant coach at KU in the fall.

Hile rose to the professional ranks as the 15th overall draft pick, following a senior year that saw her hit a team-best 13 homeruns, the third most during a single season in program history. Although her power at the plate changed many games in favor of the Jayhawks, Hile spent four years becoming a legendary catcher at KU. While catching for the Jayhawks, Hile threw out 48 runners attempting to steal and picked off 13 throughout her career. Fittingly, Hile, who earned the starting role as a freshman, will work primarily the Jayhawk catchers.

In more than 200 appearances as a Jayhawk, the Olathe, Kan., native will also share her talents at the plate. During her career, Hile tagged 23 career home runs and 93 career RBI, both in KU’s all-time top 10. A two-time Academic All-Big 12 Team honoree, Hile was nationally recognized when she was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region Second Team at the conclusion of her senior year.

VOluNTeeRassistant

FirsT year aT Kansas

FirsT year overall

Kansas 2011

SEASON (COACHING) TEAM2012-present Kansas, Volunteer Assistant Coach2011 Kansas, Student Assistant CoachSEASON (PLAYING) TEAM2011-Present NPF Diamonds (NPF)2008-11 Kansas

71

Alicia Spack becomes the program’s first director of operations to start the 2012 season. A standout player in college, Spack played at Florida before finishing the last three years of her collegiate career at Purdue. Her main responsibilities include maintaining the team’s social media and outreach efforts, organizing team travel, as well as producing scouting reports and breaking down video.

The daughter of Illinois State head football coach Brock Spack, Alicia came to Kansas after a two-year stint working for the Purdue Athletics ticket office as the Director of Group Ticket Sales. Additionally, Spack began garnering experience in the Division I coaching world as the Purdue softball team’s game manager during the 2011 season. During that time, she also held an assistant coaching position with the local high school in West Lafayette, Ind.

Spack spent her freshman year as a Florida Gator before transferring to Purdue to play her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. With the Gators, she hit .444 as a freshman and scored 20 runs before making the decision to transfer to Purdue. As a Boilermaker, Spack became a regular second baseman as a sophomore, knocking in the game-winning RBI four different times. As a junior, she displayed her abilities as a utility player, making starts in the infield, outfield and at designated player. Spack earned Academic All-Big Ten accolades her senior season, again proving her abilities as a utility player. She finished her senior year with a flawless 1.000 fielding percentage, never missing a beat in 79 chances.

dIRecTORof oPerations

FirsT year aT Kansas

THird year overall

purdue 2009

SEASON (COACHING) TEAM2012-present Kansas, Director of Operations2011 Purdue, Softball Game Manager2010-11 West Lafayette HS, Assistant CoachSEASON (PLAYING) TEAM2007-09 Purdue2006 Florida

STAff

72

Paul JohnsonTeam Manager

Tyler DickersonTeam Manager

Carissa MillerTeam Manager

Stacy VanDamStudent Athletic Trainer

Molly MackeyOlympic Sports

Equipment Manager

Kim MillerBox Office Manager

Mallory KelsayAthletic Trainer

Megan HarrityCounseling & Sport

Psychologist

Justin MackeyAssociate Director,

Academic and Career Counseling

Jeff JacobsenStaff Photographer

Laura JacobsenAssistant Photographer

Vanessa ErnstStudent Athletic Trainer

George BarnesLandscape Technician

Supervisor

Patricia DietzDoctoral Assistant

Strength Coach

Casey CookEvent Management

Carie GallagherAdministrative Assistant

73

DR. SHEAHON ZENGERSECOND SEASON

B.A. English and secondary education (Kansas State)

M.S. journalism and mass communication (Kansas State)

Ph.D. educational policy and leadership (Kansas)

BERNADETTE GRAY-LITTLETHIRD SEASON

B.A. psychology (Marywood College)

M.S. psychology (St. Louis)

Ph.D. clinical psychology (St. Louis)

DEBBIE VAN SAUNFIFTH SEASON

B.S. Education (Kansas)

M.S. public administration(Kansas)

Documents

2012 Kansas Softball Yearbook