Kansas City
Southern Utah
UMKC Drops Summit League Tourney Opener 1-0 To Southern Utah
5/12/2011 3:16:00 PM | Softball
Macomb, Ill. -- The UMKC softball team (36-15) had its winning streak snapped at 13 games after falling 1-0 in the opening game of the 2011 Summit League Championships to Southern Utah (25-32) on Thursday afternoon at McKee Stadium. Summit League Pitcher of the Year Deanna Friese limited the Thunderbirds to just three hits in the contest, while striking out 11 Southern Utah batters.
Offensively, three 'Roos recorded a hit, including Summit League Player of the Year Kaelene Curry, who also reached base on a walk.
Friese opened the game by striking out the first two Thunderbird hitters, while retiring 10 of the first 11 batters she faced.
In the bottom of the first, Curry led-off with a single before moving to second on junior Kelly Fischer's sacrifice bunt, but the 'Roos could not push the run across.
The 'Roos would then go down in order in each of the next two innings, with the score remaining 0-0 heading into the fourth.
In the inning, Friese retired the lead-off batter, before surrendering the game's only run on a solo home run by Haylee Hoch.
In the bottom of the fourth, Fischer led-off with a single to left and two batters later junior Megan Ussary walked to put runners on first and second with one out. The 'Roos could not convert though, as back-to-back strikeouts ended the rally and left them with just two at-bats to tie the score.
Southern Utah would sit down the next five Kangaroos hitters, placing the game in pinch hitter Lindsey Davis' hands. Davis would work a walk to put the tying run on first with two outs. The 'Roos though could not capitalize and Southern Utah would claim the victory.
The Blue & Gold will now look to stave off elimination on Friday when they face the loser of the North Dakota State/IPFW game at 11 a.m.
