Kansas City
South Dakota State
Friese Tosses One-Hitter In 5-0 Win Over SDSU
3/26/2011 9:04:00 PM | Softball
Lawrence, Kan. -- The UMKC softball team (14-9, 4-3) picked up a 5-0 win over Summit League foe South Dakota State (5-17, 3-1) on Saturday afternoon at Arrocha Ballpark in Lawrence, Kan., behind the efforts of starting pitcher Deanna Friese (11-6). The sophomore tossed all seven innings for the 'Roos, allowing just one hit, while striking out nine Jackrabbit hitters.
Junior Kelly Fischer led the UMKC offense, going 2-for-3 with two runs, two stolen bases and a walk, while sophomore Emily Ott went 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
After a scoreless first by SDSU, UMKC jumped ahead early with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning. Back-to-back singles by junior Kaelene Curry and Fischer opened up the inning before junior Anna Sokolik knocked in Curry with an RBI ground out. Fischer then caught the Jacks napping and came around to score two batters later on junior Megan Ussary's pop out.
In the third, the 'Roos added three insurance runs to extend their lead to 5-0. In the inning, Fischer and Sokolik singled before Ussary walked to load the bases for Ott. Ott then singled to right, scoring Fischer and Sokolik on the play. Ussary then came around to score on a South Dakota State error on a pick-off attempt.
Friese, meanwhile, would take over, striking out six batters over the first five innings, while surrendering only a pair of walks and a hit batsmen during the stretch.
South Dakota State finally broke through with a hit in the top of the sixth on an Ashley Durazo single, but Friese would retire six of the final seven batters for her 11th win of the season.
In the game, Curry finished 1-for-4 with a run scored, while Sokolik went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run. Freshman Katie Henning, meanwhile, walked in all three of her plate appearances.
The two teams will be back at it tomorrow with a doubleheader starting at noon at Arrocha Ballpark.
