Kansas City
Oakland
Bennefeld Homer Sends UMKC Past Oakland, 4-0
3/29/2009 7:30:00 PM | Softball
Rochester, Mich. -- Danielle Bennefeld hit a three-run homer in the top of the third to send the Kangaroos past the Golden Grizzlies to avoid a series sweep, 4-0. UMKC improves to 7-25 on the year and 2-10 in The Summit League while Oakland falls to 10-18 and 4-5 in the league. Sam Hurst recorded the win on the mound for the Kangaroos, throwing the complete game and improving to 3-11 on the year. Hurst gave up just four hits and struck out four.
Despite a three hour delay due to field conditions, the Kangaroos were ready to play with Kaelene Curry recording a triple out to center field on the very first pitch. Kelly Fischer would follow in Curry's footsteps, and record an RBI double to score Curry and give UMKC a 1-0 lead.
The `Roos would strike again in the third with Bennefeld's three-run homer. Fischer would reach on an error by the Oakland third baseman and Betsy Hanley would get a fielder's choice, moving Fischer to second. With runners on first and second, Bennefeld would step in the box and send one over the center field wall on a 3-1 count.
The UMKC defense gutted out four more innings and were able to hold Oakland for the win. The Kangaroos forced the Golden Grizzlies to leave six runners stranded on base.
The Kangaroos posted seven hits with Curry and Fischer both going two-for-three and scoring one run.
UMKC continues its 13-game road venture with another Summit League series at IPFW. UMKC will face IPFW on Fri., Apr. 3 for a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 p.m. and then wrap up the series on Sat., Apr. 4 at 11:00 a.m.
