Kansas City
Southern Utah
UMKC Takes Game One, But Falls in Game Two to Southern Utah on Friday
3/30/2012 7:43:00 PM | Softball
In game one in the fourth inning for UMKC with the bases loaded and nobody out, Southern Utah up 2-0, infielder Marlee Maples lined out to second, but an erred throw by the Thunderbirds towards first hit infielder Megan Ussary and landed in the outfield, which allowed outfielder's Anna Sokolik and Emily Ott to score. Later in the inning, Ussary scored from third on a wild pitch by Heather Black (12-9) to give UMKC a 3-2 lead.
In the sixth, same score, Ussary RBI-doubled to right-center as Ott came around from first to increase the Kangaroo lead to two. Later in the inning with one out and Ussary still at second, infielder Chelsea Hartwig reached first on a fielding error by Southern Utah and would later move to second as Ussary scored the final run of the game.
On the mound, pitcher Deanna Friese (5-9) struck out 12 batters on her way to becoming the program's all-time leader for most completed games (57) and most innings pitched (502.2).
At the plate, Ott extended her hitting streak to eight games with a 1-for-2 performance along with scoring two runs, while Ussary went 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI as infielder Kaelene Curry went 2-for-4.
In game two, the Kangaroos tied the game at one in the second inning when Maples grounded out the pitcher as Ussary scored from third. Later in the inning, Southern Utah regained the lead when designated player Haylee Hoch hit a leadoff home run to right off pitcher Cinda Ramos (8-7).
Next inning, Sokolik grounded out to short, but outfielder Megan Vicino scored from third to tie the game.
In the fourth with two on and one out for UMKC, catcher Caitlin Christopher singled to drive in pinch runner Bri Wyatt from second to make it a 3-2 ball game. But, Southern Utah would tie the game later in the inning when infielder Madison Resley RBI-singled to center as outfielder Terysa Dyer scored from third.
Next inning after a fielding error by UMKC, the Thunderbirds took a 5-3 lead when infielder Kelsey Bryant and Relsey both RBI-doubled to bring in one run.
In the sixth with two on and nobody out, UMKC had a chance to cut the lead to one when Christopher bunted and reached first. But, she was thrown out at second after infielder Danielle Bennefeld was thrown out at home coming from second, while Maples advanced to third. Next up, Vicino popped up to short to keep the game at 5-3.
In the seventh with one out and one on, Sokolik singled up the middle. Next up, Ott flew out left to end her eight-game hit streak, followed by Ussary striking out swinging to end the game.
The Blue & Gold will conclude its three-game series against Southern Utah tomorrow at 1 p.m.
