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Kansas City
Western Illinois
Kangaroos Drop Game Three To Westerwinds
3/15/2009 4:15:00 PM | Softball
Kansas City, Mo. ? UMKC was swept by Western Illinois in its league opener following a 10-2 loss to the Westerwinds on Sunday afternoon. The Kangaroos couldn't overcome 12 hits posted by the Westerwinds and dropped game three of the series in five innings. UMKC falls to 5-18 overall and 0-3 in The Summit League and Western Illinois improves to 7-10 and 3-0 league play.
The Western Illinois bats got to work right away in the first inning, as they scored four runs off of five hits to take a early 4-0 lead.
Despite a rough top of the first inning for the Kangaroos, they were able to counter with their own offense in the bottom of the first. Kelly Fischer reached on a fielder's choice and then moved to second on an Amanda Evans single to left field. Both runners would advance on a passed ball by the Western Illinois catcher. Chelsea Hartwig was able to post a sacrifice fly out to left field to score Fischer and get the Kangaroos on the scoreboard. Betsy Hanley would place another hit out to center field to bring Evans home and cut the Westerwinds lead, 4-2.
Western Illinois was able to string together three runs in the second and two runs in the third for a commanding 9-2 lead. The Westerwinds tacked on another run in the fifth and were able to hold the Kangaroos scoreless at the conclusion of the fifth to call the game. UMKC had opportunities to score in the second and fourth innings, leaving two runners stranded on base.
UMKC will host North Dakota State in a three-game series on Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21 out at Cleveland Park. The Kangaroos face the Bison on Friday for a double-header at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. and will close out the series on Saturday beginning at noon.
