Kansas City
South Dakota
Kangaroos Fall 6-5 to South Dakota Despite Late Rally
3/11/2012 6:00:00 PM | Softball
The Kangaroos got off to a good start, sparked by a Megan Ussary two-run homerun for her first of the year.
In the top of the fourth, same score, the Coyotes cut the deficit to one after a lead-off solo homer by infielder Alexa Rudeen. Later in the inning with two on and two outs, infielder Christine Broders singled to left as outfielder Morgan Hancock scored from second to tie the game.
Next batter, outfielder Stephanie Hall RBI-doubled to left as infielder Kassie Loe scored from second to give South Dakota a 3-2 lead.
One inning later with two on and one out for South Dakota, 'Roos pitcher Deanna Friese (3-5) gave up a three-run homer to catcher Allie Daly to make it a 6-2 ball game. Friese was then replaced with Cinda Ramos (7-2) as she allowed five hits and four earned runs along, while recording six strikeouts in 4.1 innings of work.
In its last gasp, UMKC outfielder Anna Sokolik led off the seventh inning with a double to right-center. Next up, infielder Marlee Maples doubled through the left side to bring home Sokolik, followed by a two-run homer by catcher Caitlin Christopher to make it a 6-5 contest.
The Coyotes then made a pitching change of their own as Erica Denney (1-8) replaced Missy Blackburn (3-5). Unfortunately for UMKC, Denney retired the next three batters to end the game for her first save of the year.
The Blue & Gold will be in action later this week (March 16-18) when it heads to Lexington, Ky. to take part in the Kentucky Invitational along with Kentucky, Alabama-Birmingham, and North Carolina State.
