UMKC Heads To Indy For Three-Game Series With IUPUI
4/28/2011 1:55:00 PM | Softball
This Week
The UMKC softball team (30-14, 13-5) will look to extend its seven game win streak this week when it heads to Indianapolis, Ind., for a three-game Summit League series with IUPUI (13-28, 8-10). The series will get underway with a doubleheader starting on Saturday at 11 a.m., while the 'Roos and the Jags will wrap-up play on Sunday at 11 a.m.
THE OPPONENT
» UMKC at IUPUI » Apr. 30-May 1, 2011 » 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 11 a.m.
IUPUI enters the week with a 13-28 record overall and an 8-10 mark in Summit League play after going 1-2 against Southern Utah last weekend. At the plate, the Jaguars are led by Alicia Brewer, as the freshman is leading the team in average (.304), home runs (8), RBIs (27) and slugging (.574). As a team, IUPUI has hit 34 home runs, led by Brewer's eight, senior Chelsie Hale's seven and junior Hannah Croucher's five. On the mound, freshman Nikki Thomas leads IUPUI with five wins, 145 strikeouts and 116.2 innings pitched.
LAST TIME OUT
Last weekend, the 'Roos swept their three game series with Oakland, reaching the 30 win plateau for only the second time in school history. The 'Roos opened up the series with a 4-2 win in eight innings, notching the winning run on Megan Ussary's two-out RBI triple. In game two, UMKC won 11-5 after recording seven runs in the first inning. On Sunday, the squad closed out the series with a 5-4 win, as Deanna Friese picked up her second win of the series. Offensively, Danielle Bennefeld led the 'Roos, finishing with a .444 average, two home runs and six RBIs.
FRIESE'S KEEPS WINNING
With her two wins last weekend against Oakland, UMKC sophomore Deanna Friese has moved into the top spot on the UMKC career wins list with 33 in just under two full seasons, while her 21 wins this season are tied for the most all-time in school history. Her .635 (33-19) career winning percentage and .750 (21-7) season win percentage, meanwhile, also rank as the best in UMKC history.
RBI RACE
The race for the team lead in RBIs is a close battle, as three 'Roos are separated by just one RBI for the top spot. Sophomore Emily Ott, last season's leader, currently holds the lead with 29 RBIs, while juniors Megan Ussary and Anna Sokolik are right behind with 28 RBIs each. Katie Henning (23) and Danielle Bennefeld (18), meanwhile, could each sneak back into the race with a big weekend.
BENNEFELD'S POWER SURGE
Over the last seven games, no UMKC hitter is hotter than Danielle Bennefeld, as the junior is leading the team with a .444 average, four home runs, 10 RBIs, two doubles, three walks and a 1.222 slugging percentage, while registering the third most hits (8) and the second highest on-base percentage (.524). Bennefeld is also excelling defensively, as the Blue Springs, Mo., native has played error-free softball during the stretch.
SEVEN IN A ROW
After sweeping Oakland last weekend and finishing the Dakota's Round Robin Tournament undefeated, the 'Roos are currently riding a seven game winning streak, their longest of the season, heading into this weekend's series. The current win streak matches the seven game win streak from last season as the longest since 2002 when they won 10 straight and the third longest all-time.
BATTLE FOR THE TOURNAMENT
Currently seven teams are still alive for the four spots in the Summit League Championship, including the 'Roos who sit in a three-way tie atop the league standings with IPFW and North Dakota State. The top five spots in the league standings, meanwhile, are separated by one game.
SPEED 'ROOS
With their 2.59 mark, the 'Roos rank second in nation in steals per game, trailing only Marshall (2.84). The squad also ranks in the top-100 in fielding percentage (54th-.967), double plays per game (39th-.36), triples per game (71st-.2), batting (57th-.295), ERA (75th-2.60) and doubles per game (92nd-1.26).
HOLDING THE LEAD
This season, the 'Roos have played impressively when holding a lead. When leading after one inning, the squad is 14-1, after two 17-2 and after three 20-3. This fact becomes even more apparent late in games as the 'Roos are a perfect 24-0 when leading after five, 25-0 when leading after six innings of play and 25-2 when leading after four innings.
UMKC TOP WIN TOTALS
31 wins (once) - 2002
30 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 (twice) - 1999, 2011
12 wins (twice) - 2001, 2010
10 wins (three times) - 2003, 2009
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 12 one-run games, posting an 8-5 record in those contests, but winning their eight of their last nine. In the 12 games, UMKC is out-hitting its opponents .314 to .231 and out-pitching them with an ERA of 2.42 to 3.01.
TOPS IN THE LEAGUE
Currently, UMKC's .295 team batting average is second among Summit League teams, while their 2.60 ERA, .232 opponent batting average and 297 strikeouts are tops in the league. The 'Roos also hold the highest fielding percentage in the league (.967) and lead the league in triples (9), stolen bases (114) and wins (30).
Individually, Kaelene Curry leads the league with 38 runs scored, while Megan Ussary is tops in triples (3), Kelly Fischer in sacrifice bunts (11) and Deanna Friese in ERA (1.84), opponent batting average (.175), innings pitched (186.2), strikeouts (233) and wins (21).
CURRY AND FISHER MOVE INTO TOP SPOTS IN UMKC RECORD BOOKS
With her 38 runs this season, junior Kaelene Curry has moved into top spot on the career runs list with 101 total runs and on the career on-base percentage chart with a .450 mark, while sitting third on the career stolen base list with 38, walks with 50 and batting at .361, sixth in hits at 150 and ninth in triples (5). Sophomore Emily Ott, meanwhile, sits fourth in RBIs (64), batting (.357)and on-base percentage (.420) and tied for ninth in doubles (19), while junior Kelly Fischer holds the top spot on the stolen base list (45), is third in runs scored (83), seventh in hits (148), eighth in batting (.329), tied for ninth in doubles (19) and 10th in RBIs (46), junior Anna Sokolik is fifth in batting (.348), tied for sixth in triples (6) and RBIs (50), junior Danielle Bennefeld is tied for second in home runs (10) and ninth in runs (61) and Ashley Whiteside is eighth in stolen bases (27).
INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL RANKS
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 21 wins and 233 strikeouts rank 15th and 20th, respectively, while the sophomore sits 17th in hits allowed per seven innings (4.35), 20th in strikeouts per seven innings (8.7), 64th in shutouts (5) and 60th in ERA (1.84). Emily Ott, meanwhile, is 157th in triples (2), 104th in doubles per game (.25) and 198th in batting average (.369), while Katie Franks is 199th in shutouts (2), Kaelene Curry is 64th toughest to strikeout (17.4), 84th in runs per game (.86), 161st in on-base percentage (.465), 157th in triples per game and 120th in batting average (.384), Anna Sokolik is 220th in batting average (.365) and Megan Ussary is 63rd in triples (3) and 104th in doubles per game (.25).
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.
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.
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.
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 (30-14, 13-5) will look to extend its seven game win streak this week when it heads to Indianapolis, Ind., for a three-game Summit League series with IUPUI (13-28, 8-10). The series will get underway with a doubleheader starting on Saturday at 11 a.m., while the 'Roos and the Jags will wrap-up play on Sunday at 11 a.m.
THE OPPONENT
» UMKC at IUPUI » Apr. 30-May 1, 2011 » 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 11 a.m.
IUPUI enters the week with a 13-28 record overall and an 8-10 mark in Summit League play after going 1-2 against Southern Utah last weekend. At the plate, the Jaguars are led by Alicia Brewer, as the freshman is leading the team in average (.304), home runs (8), RBIs (27) and slugging (.574). As a team, IUPUI has hit 34 home runs, led by Brewer's eight, senior Chelsie Hale's seven and junior Hannah Croucher's five. On the mound, freshman Nikki Thomas leads IUPUI with five wins, 145 strikeouts and 116.2 innings pitched.
LAST TIME OUT
Last weekend, the 'Roos swept their three game series with Oakland, reaching the 30 win plateau for only the second time in school history. The 'Roos opened up the series with a 4-2 win in eight innings, notching the winning run on Megan Ussary's two-out RBI triple. In game two, UMKC won 11-5 after recording seven runs in the first inning. On Sunday, the squad closed out the series with a 5-4 win, as Deanna Friese picked up her second win of the series. Offensively, Danielle Bennefeld led the 'Roos, finishing with a .444 average, two home runs and six RBIs.
FRIESE'S KEEPS WINNING
With her two wins last weekend against Oakland, UMKC sophomore Deanna Friese has moved into the top spot on the UMKC career wins list with 33 in just under two full seasons, while her 21 wins this season are tied for the most all-time in school history. Her .635 (33-19) career winning percentage and .750 (21-7) season win percentage, meanwhile, also rank as the best in UMKC history.
RBI RACE
The race for the team lead in RBIs is a close battle, as three 'Roos are separated by just one RBI for the top spot. Sophomore Emily Ott, last season's leader, currently holds the lead with 29 RBIs, while juniors Megan Ussary and Anna Sokolik are right behind with 28 RBIs each. Katie Henning (23) and Danielle Bennefeld (18), meanwhile, could each sneak back into the race with a big weekend.
BENNEFELD'S POWER SURGE
Over the last seven games, no UMKC hitter is hotter than Danielle Bennefeld, as the junior is leading the team with a .444 average, four home runs, 10 RBIs, two doubles, three walks and a 1.222 slugging percentage, while registering the third most hits (8) and the second highest on-base percentage (.524). Bennefeld is also excelling defensively, as the Blue Springs, Mo., native has played error-free softball during the stretch.
SEVEN IN A ROW
After sweeping Oakland last weekend and finishing the Dakota's Round Robin Tournament undefeated, the 'Roos are currently riding a seven game winning streak, their longest of the season, heading into this weekend's series. The current win streak matches the seven game win streak from last season as the longest since 2002 when they won 10 straight and the third longest all-time.
BATTLE FOR THE TOURNAMENT
Currently seven teams are still alive for the four spots in the Summit League Championship, including the 'Roos who sit in a three-way tie atop the league standings with IPFW and North Dakota State. The top five spots in the league standings, meanwhile, are separated by one game.
SPEED 'ROOS
With their 2.59 mark, the 'Roos rank second in nation in steals per game, trailing only Marshall (2.84). The squad also ranks in the top-100 in fielding percentage (54th-.967), double plays per game (39th-.36), triples per game (71st-.2), batting (57th-.295), ERA (75th-2.60) and doubles per game (92nd-1.26).
HOLDING THE LEAD
This season, the 'Roos have played impressively when holding a lead. When leading after one inning, the squad is 14-1, after two 17-2 and after three 20-3. This fact becomes even more apparent late in games as the 'Roos are a perfect 24-0 when leading after five, 25-0 when leading after six innings of play and 25-2 when leading after four innings.
UMKC TOP WIN TOTALS
31 wins (once) - 2002
30 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 (twice) - 1999, 2011
12 wins (twice) - 2001, 2010
10 wins (three times) - 2003, 2009
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 12 one-run games, posting an 8-5 record in those contests, but winning their eight of their last nine. In the 12 games, UMKC is out-hitting its opponents .314 to .231 and out-pitching them with an ERA of 2.42 to 3.01.
TOPS IN THE LEAGUE
Currently, UMKC's .295 team batting average is second among Summit League teams, while their 2.60 ERA, .232 opponent batting average and 297 strikeouts are tops in the league. The 'Roos also hold the highest fielding percentage in the league (.967) and lead the league in triples (9), stolen bases (114) and wins (30).
Individually, Kaelene Curry leads the league with 38 runs scored, while Megan Ussary is tops in triples (3), Kelly Fischer in sacrifice bunts (11) and Deanna Friese in ERA (1.84), opponent batting average (.175), innings pitched (186.2), strikeouts (233) and wins (21).
CURRY AND FISHER MOVE INTO TOP SPOTS IN UMKC RECORD BOOKS
With her 38 runs this season, junior Kaelene Curry has moved into top spot on the career runs list with 101 total runs and on the career on-base percentage chart with a .450 mark, while sitting third on the career stolen base list with 38, walks with 50 and batting at .361, sixth in hits at 150 and ninth in triples (5). Sophomore Emily Ott, meanwhile, sits fourth in RBIs (64), batting (.357)and on-base percentage (.420) and tied for ninth in doubles (19), while junior Kelly Fischer holds the top spot on the stolen base list (45), is third in runs scored (83), seventh in hits (148), eighth in batting (.329), tied for ninth in doubles (19) and 10th in RBIs (46), junior Anna Sokolik is fifth in batting (.348), tied for sixth in triples (6) and RBIs (50), junior Danielle Bennefeld is tied for second in home runs (10) and ninth in runs (61) and Ashley Whiteside is eighth in stolen bases (27).
INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL RANKS
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 21 wins and 233 strikeouts rank 15th and 20th, respectively, while the sophomore sits 17th in hits allowed per seven innings (4.35), 20th in strikeouts per seven innings (8.7), 64th in shutouts (5) and 60th in ERA (1.84). Emily Ott, meanwhile, is 157th in triples (2), 104th in doubles per game (.25) and 198th in batting average (.369), while Katie Franks is 199th in shutouts (2), Kaelene Curry is 64th toughest to strikeout (17.4), 84th in runs per game (.86), 161st in on-base percentage (.465), 157th in triples per game and 120th in batting average (.384), Anna Sokolik is 220th in batting average (.365) and Megan Ussary is 63rd in triples (3) and 104th in doubles per game (.25).
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.
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.
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.
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