Kangaroos Pick Up Split With IUPUI

Friday, April 18

Kansas City, Mo. (Cleveland Park)

2:00 p.m. CT

Kansas City

IUPUI

Kangaroos Pick Up Split With IUPUI

4/18/2008 8:00:00 PM | Softball

By: UMKC Athletics

Kansas City, Mo. -- Although untimely errors cost UMKC the series opener with IUPUI, the Kangaroos were able to recover in the nightcap to pick up the split. Carli Slagle hit her third home run of the season as UMKC trotted out 9-1 winners in the nightcap.

IUPUI struck for three runs in the third inning, capitalizing on a pair of UMKC errors. With two outs and a runner on second, Jenna Crockett hit a shot toward Megan Ussary, but the Kangaroo third-baseman wasn't able to come up with the ball, putting runners on the corners. Amy Roker reached on an error by Lauren Cross that allowed Mia Ettl to score for the visitors. The Jaguars were able to push two more runs across in the inning.

Cross atoned for her error in the bottom half of the frame, taking advantage of an error by the IUPUI centerfielder. After a deep shot to center was misplayed, the Kangaroo shortstop found herself on second, with alert baserunning on a bunt by Amanda Kinn narrowing the deficit to two.

UMKC wasn't able to claw its way back into the game, as two Crockett home runs - a solo shot in the fifth and a two-run effort that bounced off the top of the fence in left center - gave IUPUI a 6-1 victory.

The Kangaroos struck early in the nightcap, as Ashley Whiteside looped a single over the IUPUI third-baseman to lead off the game, scoring on a triple by Alicia Baker. Julie Hartung collected the first of her four RBI in the game, plating Baker with a two-out single.

Whiteside tallied again for UMKC in the third to push the Kangaroos lead to 3-0, before IUPUI was able to pull one back in the top of the fourth.

The Jaguars tried to spark a rally in the top of the sixth, loading the bases after Taya Upkes hit Crockett, but the Kangaroo reliever was able to get out of the jam with a strikeout.

Slagle picked up her second leadoff home run of the season to start the sixth, taking the first pitch from Roker deep over the left field fence. Megan Ussary singled through the left side before Lauren Rodrigues put runners on the corners with a single to right. Pinch-running for Rodrigues, Kinn swiped second, with Whiteside loading the bases on a fielder's choice. Monica Canisales and Baker each drove in runs as UMKC kept the bases loaded. After Cross fouled out to a diving first-baseman, Julie Hartung ended the game early with a double to center that cleared the bases and gave UMKC an eight-run lead.

Upkes took the loss for the Kangaroos in the first game, with Samantha Hurst collecting her fourth win in the nightcap. The Kangaroos (7-24, 5-11 Summit) will wrap up the series with IUPUI on Saturday. Prior to the game - schedule for a noon start - UMKC will recognize its two seniors for their careers in Blue and Gold.