Saturday, May 3
Macomb, Ill.
12:00 p.m. CT
Kansas City
1
at
3
Western Illinois
Kangaroo Postseason Hopes Snuffed Despite Homers From Slagle, Cross
5/3/2008 5:00:00 PM | Softball
Macomb, Ill. -- Entering their final series within reach of the postseason for the first time since the 2003 season, the UMKC softball team couldn't capitalize on home runs from Carli Slagle and Lauren Cross, falling to Western Illinois by 3-1 scores in both halves of the doubleheader. The losses guarantee that Western Illinois will claim the fourth seed in The Summit League Championships.
The Westerwinds got on the board first in game one, courtesy of a two-run home run from Samantha Valentine.
UMKC answered in the top of the second, as Cross led off the inning with a dinger to right center, but the Kangaroos couldn't level the score in the inning.
The Kangaroos put runners aboard in each of the third through sixth innings, but weren't able to close the gap. UMKC had runners in scoring position in the top of the fifth as Amanda Kinn and Ashley Whiteside led off with back-to-back singles for the visitors. A sacrifice by Monica Canisales pushed the Kangaroos up a base, but the WIU defense kept the lead runner in check twice to get out of the inning.
Western Illinois added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth with the Kangaroos retiring in order in the top of the seventh to end the first game.
In the first inning of the second game, Ussary hit a two-out double to center, but Alicia Baker fouled out to left to end the threat.
The next three half-innings saw the sides retire in order before Slagle opened up the scorebook for UMKC in the third. She put one out of the park - her fourth of the season - to give UMKC a 1-0 lead.
The Kangaroos held on to the lead through the bottom of the third, but WIU managed to push two runs across in the fourth.
UMKC wasn't able to find the solution to the Westerwinds pitching, with the hosts adding an insurance run in the sixth for the 3-1 margin.
Samatha Hurst went the distance in the opener for the Kangaroos before returning to close out the game in relief of Taya Upkes. Each starter took the loss in the doubleheader.
UMKC (8-30, 6-13 Summit) will close out the 2008 season on Sunday against Western Illinois in a single game slated for a noon start.
The Westerwinds got on the board first in game one, courtesy of a two-run home run from Samantha Valentine.
UMKC answered in the top of the second, as Cross led off the inning with a dinger to right center, but the Kangaroos couldn't level the score in the inning.
The Kangaroos put runners aboard in each of the third through sixth innings, but weren't able to close the gap. UMKC had runners in scoring position in the top of the fifth as Amanda Kinn and Ashley Whiteside led off with back-to-back singles for the visitors. A sacrifice by Monica Canisales pushed the Kangaroos up a base, but the WIU defense kept the lead runner in check twice to get out of the inning.
Western Illinois added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth with the Kangaroos retiring in order in the top of the seventh to end the first game.
In the first inning of the second game, Ussary hit a two-out double to center, but Alicia Baker fouled out to left to end the threat.
The next three half-innings saw the sides retire in order before Slagle opened up the scorebook for UMKC in the third. She put one out of the park - her fourth of the season - to give UMKC a 1-0 lead.
The Kangaroos held on to the lead through the bottom of the third, but WIU managed to push two runs across in the fourth.
UMKC wasn't able to find the solution to the Westerwinds pitching, with the hosts adding an insurance run in the sixth for the 3-1 margin.
Samatha Hurst went the distance in the opener for the Kangaroos before returning to close out the game in relief of Taya Upkes. Each starter took the loss in the doubleheader.
UMKC (8-30, 6-13 Summit) will close out the 2008 season on Sunday against Western Illinois in a single game slated for a noon start.
Players Mentioned
SS/2B
/ Softball
UTIL
/ Softball
SS
/ Softball
1B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P/1B
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballSB Highlights vs. #3 South Dakota
Wednesday, May 07
SB Highlights @ South Dakota (Game Three)
Saturday, May 03
SB Highlights @ South Dakota (Game Two)
Friday, May 02
SB Highlights @ South Dakota (Game One)
Friday, May 02