UMKC To Host MidAmerica Nazarene, Visit Oakland This Week
4/19/2011 1:38:00 PM | Softball
This Week
The UMKC softball team (27-14, 10-5) will look to keep its momentum going this week when it welcomes in MidAmerica Nazarene (30-9) for a doubleheader on Wednesday before heading to Rochester, Mich., to take on Oakland (11-22, 5-10) in Summit League action. The doubleheader with the Pioneers is scheduled for a 4 p.m. first pitch, while the three game series with the Golden Grizzlies will feature a Saturday doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. and the series finale on Sunday at noon.
THE OPPONENTS
» UMKC vs. MidAmerica Nazarene » Apr. 20, 2011 » 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
MidAmerica Nazarene enters the week with a 30-9 record overall and winners of six of their last seven in NAIA competition. As a team, the Pioneers are hitting .346, while limiting opponents to just a .234 average. Leading the squad at the plate are senior Jen Costa (.488) and senior Taylor Ryal (.417), as the duo lead a group of seven players hitting over .300. On the mound, eight different players have spent time pitching for the squad, while three (Costa (1.51), freshman Jessica Hull (2.20) and freshman Kayla Harris (1.99) have logged over 63 innings pitched.
» UMKC at Oakland » Apr. 23-24, 2011 » 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 12 p.m.
Oakland enters the week with an 11-22 mark overall and a 5-10 record in Summit League play after taking 2-of-3 from Southern Utah last weekend. The Golden Grizzly line-up is highlighted by a quartet of players hitting between .330-.344, including sophomore Erin Galloway (.344), freshman Erika Polidori (.333), freshman Shelby Gott (.333) and junior Kelsey Krych (.330). On the mound, senior Marisa Everitt leads OU with a 2.59 ERA, five wins and 70 strikeouts.
LAST TIME OUT
Last weekend, the 'Roos went a perfect 4-0 at the Dakotas Round Robin Tournament. UMKC opened the event with a pair of wins on the first day of play behind two strong performances on the mound from starters Deanna Friese and Anna Sokolik. In the early game, the 'Roos shutout South Dakota, 2-0 with Friese tossing a complete game, one-hitter with 15 strikeouts, while Sokolik picked up the win in the 4-3 victory over North Dakota, allowing three runs in six innings with five strikeouts.
On the second day, Friese tossed her first career no-hitter in the 4-0 win over North Dakota in Sunday's opening game of the Dakotas Round Robin Tournament, striking out 14 Fighting Sioux hitters in her 20th complete game and fifth shutout of the season. In the late game, the 'Roos closed out the tournament with a perfect 4-0 record after beating South Dakota 5-3 in a come-from-behind victory.
FRIESE RECOGNIZED BY NFCA
After tossing her first career no-hitter in the 4-0 win over North Dakota on Apr. 17 and her fourth career one-hitter a day earlier against South Dakota, UMKC sophomore Deanna Friese was recognized as one of five Top Performers of the week by the NFCA. The Kennesaw, Ga., native joined Missouri's Chelsea Thomas, New Mexico State's Tiare Jennings, Indiana's Morgan Melloh and Georgia Tech's Caitlin Jordan on the list, while Cal's Jolene Henderson garnered Player of the Week honors.
SPEED 'ROOS
With their 2.63 mark, the 'Roos rank second in nation in steals per game, trailing only Marshall (2.76). The squad also ranks in the top-100 in fielding percentage (17th-.974), double plays per game (21st-.4), triples per game (74th-.2), batting (53rd-.297), ERA (86th-2.73), doubles per game (92nd-1.26), and scoring (99th-4.66)
HOLDING THE LEAD
This season, the 'Roos have played impressively when holding a lead. When leading after one inning, the squad is 13-1, after two 16-2 and after three 19-3. This fact becomes even more apparent late in games as the 'Roos are a perfect 22-0 when leading after five, 23-0 when leading after six innings of play and 23-2 when leading after four innings.
UMKC TOP WIN TOTALS
31 wins (once) - 2002
27 wins (once)- 2011
26 wins (once) - 2000
22 wins (twice) - 1999, 2010
20 wins (once) - 2009
UMKC TOP SUMMIT LEAGUE WIN TOTALS
16 wins (once) - 2002
14 wins (once) - 2000
13 wins (once) - 1999
12 wins (twice) - 2001, 2010
10 wins (three times) - 2003, 2009, 2011
HOME SWEET HOME
Despite having its home games scheduled at five different parks, over the past two seasons the 'Roos have posted a 24-6 record at home. Last season the squad posted a 12-3 record at Rockhurst's Loyola Park, while going 2-0 at Avila's park. This season, the 'Roos are 14-3 overall at home after posting a 5-2 record at Loyola Park, a 5-1 record at Kansas' Arrocha Ballpark and a 4-0 record at College Boulevard Activities Center in Olathe, Kan.
ONE-RUN GAMES
Thus far this season, the 'Roos have played in 10 one-run games, posting a 7-5 record in those contests, but winning their last seven of their last eight. In the 12 games, UMKC is out-hitting its opponents .321 to .228 and out-pitching them with an ERA of 2.46 to 2.92.
TOPS IN THE LEAGUE
Currently, UMKC's .296 team batting average is tops among Summit League teams, while their 2.68 ERA, .230 opponent batting average and 273 strikeouts are tops in the league. The 'Roos also hold the highest fielding percentage in the league (.972) and lead the league in triples (8), stolen bases (108) and wins (27).
Individually, Kaelene Curry leads the league with 35 runs scored, while Emily Ott is tops in triples (2), Kelly Fischer in sacrifice bunts (10) and Deanna Friese in ERA (1.88), opponent batting average (.170), innings pitched (171.2), strikeouts (216) and wins (19).
CURRY AND FISHER MOVE INTO TOP SPOTS IN UMKC RECORD BOOKS
With her 35 runs this season, junior Kaelene Curry has moved into top spot on the career runs list with 98 total runs and second on the career on-base percentage chart with a .456 mark, while sitting third on the career stolen base list with 37, walks with 49 and batting at .359, and tied for sixth in hits at 146. Sophomore Emily Ott, meanwhile, sits fourth in RBIs (63), fifth in on-base percentage (.418) and batting (.353) and tied for ninth in doubles (19), while junior Kelly Fischer holds the top spot on the stolen base list (43), is third in runs scored (82), tied for sixth in hits (146), eighth in batting (.333), tied for ninth in doubles (19) and 10th in RBIs (46), junior Anna Sokolik is fourth in batting (.356), sixth in triples (six) and OBP (.399) and tied for eighth in RBIs (49), and Ashley Whiteside is eighth in stolen bases (27).
INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL RANKS
As of Apr. 12, the 'Roos have littered their names throughout the NCAA statistical rankings, as seven players rank in the top-250 in at least one category. Deanna Friese heads the list, as her 16 wins and 170 strikeouts rank 29th and 31st, respectively, while the sophomore sits 21st in hits allowed per seven innings (4.31), 61st in strikeouts per seven innings (8.1), 93rd in shutouts (3) and 94th in ERA (1.99). Emily Ott, meanwhile, is 119th in triples (2), 44th in doubles per game (.31) and 172nd in batting average (.376), while Katie Franks is 160th in shutouts (2), Kaelene Curry is 54th toughest to strikeout (18.7), 81st in runs per game (.89), 209th in on-base percentage (.457) and 149th in batting average (.384), Anna Sokolik is 66th in batting average (.413), 75th in OBP (.462) and 227th in runs per game (.71), Kelly Fischer is 74th in stolen bases (.45), 125th toughest to strikeout (13.6) and 171st in runs per game (.76) and Megan Ussary is 119th in triples per game (2).
FRIESE NAMED SUMMIT LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE WEEK THREE TIMES
UMKC sophomore Deanna Friese earned her fourth career Summit League Pitcher of the Week honor and third of the season after firing a no-hitter and a one-hitter at the Dakotas Round Robin Tournament. The right-handed hurler opened the tournament with a one-hit complete game shutout against South Dakota and retired 15 batters on strikes. She then came back in the next game to earn her first save of the year by striking out three batters in one inning of work. In her final start of the weekend, Friese threw a no-hitter against North Dakota, fanning 14 and walking one. She ended the weekend with a relief appearance, striking eight more in three innings of work. For the week, Friese threw two complete game shutouts, struck out 46 batters, while surrendering 12 hits, six walks and four earned runs in 24.0 innings. She posted a 1.17 ERA and held her opponents to a combined .141 batting average.
Friese garnered her second award after posting a 2-0 record in the series with SDSU, including a complete-game shutout. The right-handed hurler opened the three-game series by blanking the Jackrabbits with a one-hit performance, while striking out nine batters in seven innings. She picked up her second win of the weekend in game one of Sunday's doubleheader, fanning another nine batters, while yielding four hits and one run. On the weekend, Friese recorded a 0.81 ERA with 20 strikeouts, allowing seven hits and two runs, while holding SDSU to .125 batting average in 17.1 innings of work. She currently leads the league in strikeouts (122), wins (12) and ERA (2.22 overall and a 1.72 in league play).
Friese was named The Summit League Pitcher of the Week for the first time on Feb. 14 after posting a 3-1 record with three complete games in the 2011 Lion Classic. The right-handed hurler opened the season tying a career-high with 16 strikeouts in the Kangaroos' 10-4 victory over Jackson State. Friese picked up an extra-inning victory in relief holding Nicholls State hitless and fanning three batters in 1.2 innings of work. She ended the weekend with a 5-3 win over Southeastern Louisiana. For the weekend, Friese tallied 35 strikeouts averaging 10.5 per seven innings and gave up 14 hits, while holding her opponents to a combined .173 average. She recorded a 2.70 ERA in 23.1 innings pitched.
EARLY LEAGUE SCHEDULE
The first four series on the 'Roos' Summit League schedule were against the teams picked to finish first through fourth according to the preseason poll. UMKC opened the stretch by sweeping preseason co-favorite North Dakota State before dropping all three at IPFW the following weekend. In the third series, the 'Roos took 2-out-of-3 from South Dakota State before taking the series from Western Illinois 2-1.
OTT NAMED SUMMIT LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sophomore Emily Ott recorded four multiple hit games, including opening the weekend with back-to-back 3-for-3 games against Belmont and Austin Peay on Feb. 19. In the Kangaroos' 7-6 win over Cleveland State, the right fielder went 2-for-4 with a double, one RBI and one run scored. To end the weekend, she went 2-for-3 at the plate with her third double of the tournament. For the weekend, Ott hit at a .769 clip (10-for-13) and 1.154 slugging percentage with three doubles, a triple, four RBI, two stolen bases and one run scored. Her career batting average of .380 is the best all-time in UMKC history.
USSARY NAMED SUMMIT LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Agency, Mo., native, Megan Ussary was named The Summit League Player of the Week on Feb. 14 after finishing the 2011 Lion Classic with multiple-hit performances in four out of five games, while hitting safely in all five. The third baseman was productive in clutch situations driving home the winning run for UMKC against Southern and Southeastern Louisiana and scoring the tying run against Nicholls State in a game that went into extra innings. On the weekend, Ussary hit a .526 clip (10-19) and a .842 slugging percentage with four extra-base hits, including three doubles and a home run, eight RBI, six runs scored and was a perfect two-for-two in stolen bases.
TOURNAMENT CHAMPS
On Feb. 13, the 'Roos defeated Southeastern Louisiana 5-3, to capture the 2011 Lion Classic Tournament Title. The title marks the first time in school history that they have won a tournament, while the 4-1 record in the event matches the 2000 squad's record in the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Tournament.
HOT START
The 'Roos reached the 10 win mark this season in their 16th game, the fastest in school history. The 16 games tops the 21 games it took both the 1999 and 2001 squads.
VS. THE NPF ALL-STARS
On Sept. 30, the 'Roos dropped a 2-0 decision to the NPF All-Stars at Community America Ballpark 'Roo pitchers led the squad in the game as Deanna Friese, Megan Smith and Katie Franks combined for seven innings pitched, allowing five hits, while striking out four. At the plate, Kaelene Curry, Emily Ott and Brooke Whiteside each recorded a hit for the 'Roos.On the mound, Cat Osterman picked up the win for Team NPF, allowing two hits with 12 strikeout. For UMKC, Friese took the loss, pitching four innings, allowing two runs on four hits.
The All-Star squad, which included Olympic Gold medalist Cat Osterman, made 15 stops on college campuses around the United States on the 2010 NPF “Back To School” Tour. Team NPF was a decorated group of professionals with well seasoned 9d impressive resumes including Olympic Gold Medalists and NPF champions and award winners. UMKC though, played the squad toughed than any other opponent, including former national champion Arizona and Big 12 foe Nebraska, who were each no-hit.
A TRIO OF SENIORS
This year's squad will feature three seniors, including catcher Lauren Rodrigues, outfielder Amanda Kinn and outfielder Rashonda Stanley. Last year, the trio combined for 18 runs and 11 stolen bases.
UNDEFEATED FALL
UMKC wrapped up its 2010 fall season undefeated against collegiate competition, including wins over William Jewell, Rockhurst, Seminole State and Labette CC.
ACES RETURN
The UMKC pitching staff will feature the return of three of its four members, including its two aces, sophomore Deanna Friese (12-12, .396 ERA, 208 K) and junior Anna Sokolik (10-8, 3.40 ERA, 74 K). Last season, Friese set the UMKC record for strikeout per game at 9.93. Sophomore Emily Ott and freshman Katie Franks, meanwhile, round out the pitching staff.
ALL-LEAGUE PERFORMERS
UMKC placed three players on the all-Summit League team, including junior second baseman Kelly Fischer (.394 BA, 17 R, 53 H, 15 SB), junior outfielder and pitcher Anna Sokolik (5 3B, 9 2B, .344 BA) and sophomore designated player Emily Ott (.346 BA, 35 RBI, .420 OBP) all garnered first team recognition.
WHITESIDE EXCELS IN THE CLASSROOM
Ashley Whiteside was named the Outstanding Clinical Student of the Year for the sophomore class by the UMKC School of Nursing at its annual Clinical Recognition Ceremony.
In her academic career, the St. Peter's, Mo., native has been named to The Summit League Winter/Spring Academic all-League team the past three seasons, while earning a spot on the Commissioner's List of Academic Excellence in 2009 and 2010. In 2009, Whiteside was also honored as a UMKC Scholar Athlete, while being named a Distinguished Scholar this past year.
FRESH FACES
The 'Roos added four players to the program for the upcoming season. Joining the program will be sophomores Kendall Patterson (C/IF- McLouth, Kan. (Kansas)) and Brooke Whiteside (C/OF-St. Peters, Mo.), as well as freshmen Katie Franks (P/OF-Cypress, Texas) and Katie Henning (C/OF-Olathe, Kan.).
'ROOS PICKED FOURTH IN PRESEASON POLL
The UMKC softball team was picked to finish fourth in The Summit League Preseason Poll according to a vote of league head coaches. Last season, the 'Roos finished tied for fourth place in the league standings with South Dakota State, but missed out on an appearance in the league tournament by .005 win percentage points.
UMKC tied the Jackrabbits with 39 points each, to fill the fourth spot in the poll. The Kangaroos welcome back eight defensive starters and three starting pitchers, including three first team All-League selections in juniors Kelly Fischer and Anna Sokolik and sophomore Emily Ott. Fischer (.363, 53 H), Sokolik (.344, .516 SLG%) and Ott (.346, 35 RBI) make up three of the four top hitters returning for UMKC, last year's second-best hitting team with a .281 batting average and .353 on-base percentage.
RETURNEES GALORE
This season, the 'Roos return eight of their nine defensive starts and 14 letterwinners from last year's squad. In addition, three of the squad's four pitchers return, including the top two.
LAST SEASON
UMKC finished the regular season, with a 22-26 overall record and a 12-10 mark in Summit League play, placing them in a tie for fourth place in the standings with South Dakota State, but losing out to the Jacks for the final spot in The Summit League Tournament by .005 percentage points.
As a team, the 'Roos hit .281, while belting 16 home runs. Juniors Kaelene Curry (.390), Kelly Fischer (.363) and Anna Sokolik (.344), along with sophomore Emily Ott (.346) all hit over .340 for UMKC, while Ott (35 RBIs) and Curry (42 R) each set individual single season records for the squad.
HEAD COACH MEREDITH SMITH
Meredith Smith is entering her fifth season as the head coach of the UMKC softball program. Smith was hired to lead the Kangaroos in July 2006.
During the 2010 season, Smith improved UMKC's win total for the third consecutive season, leading the squad to a 22-26 overall record and a 12-10 mark in Summit League play. The 'Roos finished in a tie for fourth place in the regular season standings and narrowly missed out on advancing to The Summit League Tournament by percentage points. The team's 22 victories were tied for the third most in a single season in the program's 23 seasons of competition on the diamond.
Smith's squad picked up its play late in the 2010 campaign, as the squad posted a 14-4 record over the final 18 games. One of the victories was a 6-5 triumph at UNLV, which is one of the signature wins during Smith's tenure in Blue and Gold.
Under her direction, a trio of Kangaroos - Kelly Fischer, Anna Sokolik and Emily Ott - garnered First Team all-Summit League honors. The 'Roos also had a total of three student-athletes earn Summit League Player/Pitcher of the Week honors during the regular season.
'ROOS IN THE CLASSROOM
Last season, 11 'Roos were named to The Summit League Academic all-Conference team, including current 'Roos Danielle Bennefeld, Kaelene Curry, Lindsey Davis, Chelsea Hartwig, Emily Ott, Lauren Rodrigues and Anna Sokolik. In order to be named to academic all-League team, each student-athlete must post a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the semester in which they compete. Additionally, Curry, Davis, Hartwig, Rodrigues and Sokolik were named a Distinguished Scholars for posting a GPA above 3.6.
Meanwhile, five current player and eight total were named to the Commissioner's List of Academic Excellence, including Curry, Hartwig, Rodrigues, Sokolik and Whiteside, for posting a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
The UMKC softball team (27-14, 10-5) will look to keep its momentum going this week when it welcomes in MidAmerica Nazarene (30-9) for a doubleheader on Wednesday before heading to Rochester, Mich., to take on Oakland (11-22, 5-10) in Summit League action. The doubleheader with the Pioneers is scheduled for a 4 p.m. first pitch, while the three game series with the Golden Grizzlies will feature a Saturday doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. and the series finale on Sunday at noon.
THE OPPONENTS
» UMKC vs. MidAmerica Nazarene » Apr. 20, 2011 » 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
MidAmerica Nazarene enters the week with a 30-9 record overall and winners of six of their last seven in NAIA competition. As a team, the Pioneers are hitting .346, while limiting opponents to just a .234 average. Leading the squad at the plate are senior Jen Costa (.488) and senior Taylor Ryal (.417), as the duo lead a group of seven players hitting over .300. On the mound, eight different players have spent time pitching for the squad, while three (Costa (1.51), freshman Jessica Hull (2.20) and freshman Kayla Harris (1.99) have logged over 63 innings pitched.
» UMKC at Oakland » Apr. 23-24, 2011 » 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 12 p.m.
Oakland enters the week with an 11-22 mark overall and a 5-10 record in Summit League play after taking 2-of-3 from Southern Utah last weekend. The Golden Grizzly line-up is highlighted by a quartet of players hitting between .330-.344, including sophomore Erin Galloway (.344), freshman Erika Polidori (.333), freshman Shelby Gott (.333) and junior Kelsey Krych (.330). On the mound, senior Marisa Everitt leads OU with a 2.59 ERA, five wins and 70 strikeouts.
LAST TIME OUT
Last weekend, the 'Roos went a perfect 4-0 at the Dakotas Round Robin Tournament. UMKC opened the event with a pair of wins on the first day of play behind two strong performances on the mound from starters Deanna Friese and Anna Sokolik. In the early game, the 'Roos shutout South Dakota, 2-0 with Friese tossing a complete game, one-hitter with 15 strikeouts, while Sokolik picked up the win in the 4-3 victory over North Dakota, allowing three runs in six innings with five strikeouts.
On the second day, Friese tossed her first career no-hitter in the 4-0 win over North Dakota in Sunday's opening game of the Dakotas Round Robin Tournament, striking out 14 Fighting Sioux hitters in her 20th complete game and fifth shutout of the season. In the late game, the 'Roos closed out the tournament with a perfect 4-0 record after beating South Dakota 5-3 in a come-from-behind victory.
FRIESE RECOGNIZED BY NFCA
After tossing her first career no-hitter in the 4-0 win over North Dakota on Apr. 17 and her fourth career one-hitter a day earlier against South Dakota, UMKC sophomore Deanna Friese was recognized as one of five Top Performers of the week by the NFCA. The Kennesaw, Ga., native joined Missouri's Chelsea Thomas, New Mexico State's Tiare Jennings, Indiana's Morgan Melloh and Georgia Tech's Caitlin Jordan on the list, while Cal's Jolene Henderson garnered Player of the Week honors.
SPEED 'ROOS
With their 2.63 mark, the 'Roos rank second in nation in steals per game, trailing only Marshall (2.76). The squad also ranks in the top-100 in fielding percentage (17th-.974), double plays per game (21st-.4), triples per game (74th-.2), batting (53rd-.297), ERA (86th-2.73), doubles per game (92nd-1.26), and scoring (99th-4.66)
HOLDING THE LEAD
This season, the 'Roos have played impressively when holding a lead. When leading after one inning, the squad is 13-1, after two 16-2 and after three 19-3. This fact becomes even more apparent late in games as the 'Roos are a perfect 22-0 when leading after five, 23-0 when leading after six innings of play and 23-2 when leading after four innings.
UMKC TOP WIN TOTALS
31 wins (once) - 2002
27 wins (once)- 2011
26 wins (once) - 2000
22 wins (twice) - 1999, 2010
20 wins (once) - 2009
UMKC TOP SUMMIT LEAGUE WIN TOTALS
16 wins (once) - 2002
14 wins (once) - 2000
13 wins (once) - 1999
12 wins (twice) - 2001, 2010
10 wins (three times) - 2003, 2009, 2011
HOME SWEET HOME
Despite having its home games scheduled at five different parks, over the past two seasons the 'Roos have posted a 24-6 record at home. Last season the squad posted a 12-3 record at Rockhurst's Loyola Park, while going 2-0 at Avila's park. This season, the 'Roos are 14-3 overall at home after posting a 5-2 record at Loyola Park, a 5-1 record at Kansas' Arrocha Ballpark and a 4-0 record at College Boulevard Activities Center in Olathe, Kan.
ONE-RUN GAMES
Thus far this season, the 'Roos have played in 10 one-run games, posting a 7-5 record in those contests, but winning their last seven of their last eight. In the 12 games, UMKC is out-hitting its opponents .321 to .228 and out-pitching them with an ERA of 2.46 to 2.92.
TOPS IN THE LEAGUE
Currently, UMKC's .296 team batting average is tops among Summit League teams, while their 2.68 ERA, .230 opponent batting average and 273 strikeouts are tops in the league. The 'Roos also hold the highest fielding percentage in the league (.972) and lead the league in triples (8), stolen bases (108) and wins (27).
Individually, Kaelene Curry leads the league with 35 runs scored, while Emily Ott is tops in triples (2), Kelly Fischer in sacrifice bunts (10) and Deanna Friese in ERA (1.88), opponent batting average (.170), innings pitched (171.2), strikeouts (216) and wins (19).
CURRY AND FISHER MOVE INTO TOP SPOTS IN UMKC RECORD BOOKS
With her 35 runs this season, junior Kaelene Curry has moved into top spot on the career runs list with 98 total runs and second on the career on-base percentage chart with a .456 mark, while sitting third on the career stolen base list with 37, walks with 49 and batting at .359, and tied for sixth in hits at 146. Sophomore Emily Ott, meanwhile, sits fourth in RBIs (63), fifth in on-base percentage (.418) and batting (.353) and tied for ninth in doubles (19), while junior Kelly Fischer holds the top spot on the stolen base list (43), is third in runs scored (82), tied for sixth in hits (146), eighth in batting (.333), tied for ninth in doubles (19) and 10th in RBIs (46), junior Anna Sokolik is fourth in batting (.356), sixth in triples (six) and OBP (.399) and tied for eighth in RBIs (49), and Ashley Whiteside is eighth in stolen bases (27).
INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL RANKS
As of Apr. 12, the 'Roos have littered their names throughout the NCAA statistical rankings, as seven players rank in the top-250 in at least one category. Deanna Friese heads the list, as her 16 wins and 170 strikeouts rank 29th and 31st, respectively, while the sophomore sits 21st in hits allowed per seven innings (4.31), 61st in strikeouts per seven innings (8.1), 93rd in shutouts (3) and 94th in ERA (1.99). Emily Ott, meanwhile, is 119th in triples (2), 44th in doubles per game (.31) and 172nd in batting average (.376), while Katie Franks is 160th in shutouts (2), Kaelene Curry is 54th toughest to strikeout (18.7), 81st in runs per game (.89), 209th in on-base percentage (.457) and 149th in batting average (.384), Anna Sokolik is 66th in batting average (.413), 75th in OBP (.462) and 227th in runs per game (.71), Kelly Fischer is 74th in stolen bases (.45), 125th toughest to strikeout (13.6) and 171st in runs per game (.76) and Megan Ussary is 119th in triples per game (2).
FRIESE NAMED SUMMIT LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE WEEK THREE TIMES
UMKC sophomore Deanna Friese earned her fourth career Summit League Pitcher of the Week honor and third of the season after firing a no-hitter and a one-hitter at the Dakotas Round Robin Tournament. The right-handed hurler opened the tournament with a one-hit complete game shutout against South Dakota and retired 15 batters on strikes. She then came back in the next game to earn her first save of the year by striking out three batters in one inning of work. In her final start of the weekend, Friese threw a no-hitter against North Dakota, fanning 14 and walking one. She ended the weekend with a relief appearance, striking eight more in three innings of work. For the week, Friese threw two complete game shutouts, struck out 46 batters, while surrendering 12 hits, six walks and four earned runs in 24.0 innings. She posted a 1.17 ERA and held her opponents to a combined .141 batting average.
Friese garnered her second award after posting a 2-0 record in the series with SDSU, including a complete-game shutout. The right-handed hurler opened the three-game series by blanking the Jackrabbits with a one-hit performance, while striking out nine batters in seven innings. She picked up her second win of the weekend in game one of Sunday's doubleheader, fanning another nine batters, while yielding four hits and one run. On the weekend, Friese recorded a 0.81 ERA with 20 strikeouts, allowing seven hits and two runs, while holding SDSU to .125 batting average in 17.1 innings of work. She currently leads the league in strikeouts (122), wins (12) and ERA (2.22 overall and a 1.72 in league play).
Friese was named The Summit League Pitcher of the Week for the first time on Feb. 14 after posting a 3-1 record with three complete games in the 2011 Lion Classic. The right-handed hurler opened the season tying a career-high with 16 strikeouts in the Kangaroos' 10-4 victory over Jackson State. Friese picked up an extra-inning victory in relief holding Nicholls State hitless and fanning three batters in 1.2 innings of work. She ended the weekend with a 5-3 win over Southeastern Louisiana. For the weekend, Friese tallied 35 strikeouts averaging 10.5 per seven innings and gave up 14 hits, while holding her opponents to a combined .173 average. She recorded a 2.70 ERA in 23.1 innings pitched.
EARLY LEAGUE SCHEDULE
The first four series on the 'Roos' Summit League schedule were against the teams picked to finish first through fourth according to the preseason poll. UMKC opened the stretch by sweeping preseason co-favorite North Dakota State before dropping all three at IPFW the following weekend. In the third series, the 'Roos took 2-out-of-3 from South Dakota State before taking the series from Western Illinois 2-1.
OTT NAMED SUMMIT LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sophomore Emily Ott recorded four multiple hit games, including opening the weekend with back-to-back 3-for-3 games against Belmont and Austin Peay on Feb. 19. In the Kangaroos' 7-6 win over Cleveland State, the right fielder went 2-for-4 with a double, one RBI and one run scored. To end the weekend, she went 2-for-3 at the plate with her third double of the tournament. For the weekend, Ott hit at a .769 clip (10-for-13) and 1.154 slugging percentage with three doubles, a triple, four RBI, two stolen bases and one run scored. Her career batting average of .380 is the best all-time in UMKC history.
USSARY NAMED SUMMIT LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Agency, Mo., native, Megan Ussary was named The Summit League Player of the Week on Feb. 14 after finishing the 2011 Lion Classic with multiple-hit performances in four out of five games, while hitting safely in all five. The third baseman was productive in clutch situations driving home the winning run for UMKC against Southern and Southeastern Louisiana and scoring the tying run against Nicholls State in a game that went into extra innings. On the weekend, Ussary hit a .526 clip (10-19) and a .842 slugging percentage with four extra-base hits, including three doubles and a home run, eight RBI, six runs scored and was a perfect two-for-two in stolen bases.
TOURNAMENT CHAMPS
On Feb. 13, the 'Roos defeated Southeastern Louisiana 5-3, to capture the 2011 Lion Classic Tournament Title. The title marks the first time in school history that they have won a tournament, while the 4-1 record in the event matches the 2000 squad's record in the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Tournament.
HOT START
The 'Roos reached the 10 win mark this season in their 16th game, the fastest in school history. The 16 games tops the 21 games it took both the 1999 and 2001 squads.
VS. THE NPF ALL-STARS
On Sept. 30, the 'Roos dropped a 2-0 decision to the NPF All-Stars at Community America Ballpark 'Roo pitchers led the squad in the game as Deanna Friese, Megan Smith and Katie Franks combined for seven innings pitched, allowing five hits, while striking out four. At the plate, Kaelene Curry, Emily Ott and Brooke Whiteside each recorded a hit for the 'Roos.On the mound, Cat Osterman picked up the win for Team NPF, allowing two hits with 12 strikeout. For UMKC, Friese took the loss, pitching four innings, allowing two runs on four hits.
The All-Star squad, which included Olympic Gold medalist Cat Osterman, made 15 stops on college campuses around the United States on the 2010 NPF “Back To School” Tour. Team NPF was a decorated group of professionals with well seasoned 9d impressive resumes including Olympic Gold Medalists and NPF champions and award winners. UMKC though, played the squad toughed than any other opponent, including former national champion Arizona and Big 12 foe Nebraska, who were each no-hit.
A TRIO OF SENIORS
This year's squad will feature three seniors, including catcher Lauren Rodrigues, outfielder Amanda Kinn and outfielder Rashonda Stanley. Last year, the trio combined for 18 runs and 11 stolen bases.
UNDEFEATED FALL
UMKC wrapped up its 2010 fall season undefeated against collegiate competition, including wins over William Jewell, Rockhurst, Seminole State and Labette CC.
ACES RETURN
The UMKC pitching staff will feature the return of three of its four members, including its two aces, sophomore Deanna Friese (12-12, .396 ERA, 208 K) and junior Anna Sokolik (10-8, 3.40 ERA, 74 K). Last season, Friese set the UMKC record for strikeout per game at 9.93. Sophomore Emily Ott and freshman Katie Franks, meanwhile, round out the pitching staff.
ALL-LEAGUE PERFORMERS
UMKC placed three players on the all-Summit League team, including junior second baseman Kelly Fischer (.394 BA, 17 R, 53 H, 15 SB), junior outfielder and pitcher Anna Sokolik (5 3B, 9 2B, .344 BA) and sophomore designated player Emily Ott (.346 BA, 35 RBI, .420 OBP) all garnered first team recognition.
WHITESIDE EXCELS IN THE CLASSROOM
Ashley Whiteside was named the Outstanding Clinical Student of the Year for the sophomore class by the UMKC School of Nursing at its annual Clinical Recognition Ceremony.
In her academic career, the St. Peter's, Mo., native has been named to The Summit League Winter/Spring Academic all-League team the past three seasons, while earning a spot on the Commissioner's List of Academic Excellence in 2009 and 2010. In 2009, Whiteside was also honored as a UMKC Scholar Athlete, while being named a Distinguished Scholar this past year.
FRESH FACES
The 'Roos added four players to the program for the upcoming season. Joining the program will be sophomores Kendall Patterson (C/IF- McLouth, Kan. (Kansas)) and Brooke Whiteside (C/OF-St. Peters, Mo.), as well as freshmen Katie Franks (P/OF-Cypress, Texas) and Katie Henning (C/OF-Olathe, Kan.).
'ROOS PICKED FOURTH IN PRESEASON POLL
The UMKC softball team was picked to finish fourth in The Summit League Preseason Poll according to a vote of league head coaches. Last season, the 'Roos finished tied for fourth place in the league standings with South Dakota State, but missed out on an appearance in the league tournament by .005 win percentage points.
UMKC tied the Jackrabbits with 39 points each, to fill the fourth spot in the poll. The Kangaroos welcome back eight defensive starters and three starting pitchers, including three first team All-League selections in juniors Kelly Fischer and Anna Sokolik and sophomore Emily Ott. Fischer (.363, 53 H), Sokolik (.344, .516 SLG%) and Ott (.346, 35 RBI) make up three of the four top hitters returning for UMKC, last year's second-best hitting team with a .281 batting average and .353 on-base percentage.
RETURNEES GALORE
This season, the 'Roos return eight of their nine defensive starts and 14 letterwinners from last year's squad. In addition, three of the squad's four pitchers return, including the top two.
LAST SEASON
UMKC finished the regular season, with a 22-26 overall record and a 12-10 mark in Summit League play, placing them in a tie for fourth place in the standings with South Dakota State, but losing out to the Jacks for the final spot in The Summit League Tournament by .005 percentage points.
As a team, the 'Roos hit .281, while belting 16 home runs. Juniors Kaelene Curry (.390), Kelly Fischer (.363) and Anna Sokolik (.344), along with sophomore Emily Ott (.346) all hit over .340 for UMKC, while Ott (35 RBIs) and Curry (42 R) each set individual single season records for the squad.
HEAD COACH MEREDITH SMITH
Meredith Smith is entering her fifth season as the head coach of the UMKC softball program. Smith was hired to lead the Kangaroos in July 2006.
During the 2010 season, Smith improved UMKC's win total for the third consecutive season, leading the squad to a 22-26 overall record and a 12-10 mark in Summit League play. The 'Roos finished in a tie for fourth place in the regular season standings and narrowly missed out on advancing to The Summit League Tournament by percentage points. The team's 22 victories were tied for the third most in a single season in the program's 23 seasons of competition on the diamond.
Smith's squad picked up its play late in the 2010 campaign, as the squad posted a 14-4 record over the final 18 games. One of the victories was a 6-5 triumph at UNLV, which is one of the signature wins during Smith's tenure in Blue and Gold.
Under her direction, a trio of Kangaroos - Kelly Fischer, Anna Sokolik and Emily Ott - garnered First Team all-Summit League honors. The 'Roos also had a total of three student-athletes earn Summit League Player/Pitcher of the Week honors during the regular season.
'ROOS IN THE CLASSROOM
Last season, 11 'Roos were named to The Summit League Academic all-Conference team, including current 'Roos Danielle Bennefeld, Kaelene Curry, Lindsey Davis, Chelsea Hartwig, Emily Ott, Lauren Rodrigues and Anna Sokolik. In order to be named to academic all-League team, each student-athlete must post a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the semester in which they compete. Additionally, Curry, Davis, Hartwig, Rodrigues and Sokolik were named a Distinguished Scholars for posting a GPA above 3.6.
Meanwhile, five current player and eight total were named to the Commissioner's List of Academic Excellence, including Curry, Hartwig, Rodrigues, Sokolik and Whiteside, for posting a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
Players Mentioned
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/ 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