Kansas City
South Dakota State
Kangaroos Win Summit League Preview Against South Dakota State, Fall To Wichita State
3/8/2008 8:00:00 PM | Softball
Wichita, Kan. -- The Kangaroos gave up runs in the first inning in both contests in the 2008 Shocker Invitational but battled back. Taya Upkes went the distance against the Jackrabbits, striking out four in seven innings as UMKC held on for a 5-2 win, but the Kangaroos dropped a 9-4 result to Wichita State in the nightcap.
South Dakota State got a quick start, as Sam Heinzman led off with a single through the left side, scoring on a double from Jessica Vineyard.
The Kangaroos went through the entire batting order in their half of the third, scoring five runs on six hits - four of them doubles. Alicia Baker was responsible for three of UMKC's five runs, with a two-RBI double scoring Megan Ussary and Monica Canisales before a Lauren Cross double plated Baker.
The Jackrabbits threatened to take one back in the fifth, but an alert play by Canisales kept South Dakota State off the board. The Jacks were able to pull one back in the seventh, but it was too little, too late as UMKC held on for a 5-2 win.
In the second game, the Kangaroos gave up two runs in the bottom half of the first, but Julie Hartung was able to power three runs across for UMKC in the top of the third with a double to left center.
Canisales led off the top of the fifth with a single, scoring on a Baker single to give the Kangaroos a 4-2 lead, but it would be short-lived as back-to-back home runs powered the Shockers to a seven run outburst, good enough for the win.
The Kangaroos move to 2-8 on the year and will wrap up action in the Shocker Invitational Sunday, taking on the same two opponents. UMKC will be the designated visitor against South Dakota State at 11 a.m., and close out as the designated home team against Wichita State at 3 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on www.umkckangaroos.com.
