Quick Turnaround for UMKC as it Heads South to Face the Razorbacks
4/16/2012 4:17:00 PM | Softball
THE OPPONENT
» Arkansas Razorbacks (22-19, 4-15 Southeastern Conference as of April 16)
Heading into Tuesday, Arkansas has won four out of its last five games, including a two-game sweep over Tennessee-Martin on Saturday.
Offensively, infielder Clarisa Navarro leads the Razorbacks in batting (.361) and hits (48), while tied for second in RBI with infielder Devon Wallace (23) and home runs with utility player's Amanda Geile and Jennifer Rambo (7). Also, Navarro is second in stolen bases with four behind outfielder Ashley Martindale (5).
In the circle, Chelsea Cohen (12-12) holds a team-best 3.03 ERA with a team-high 83 strikeouts, 15 completed games, and one save in 33 appearances. As for Kimmy Beasley (8-5), she has tallied 73 strikeouts while holding a 3.49 ERA in 22 appearances.
» The Head Coach: Mike Larabee is in his third season at the helm and currently holds a 35-58 overall record. Last season, the Razorbacks finished 13-39 and 3-23 in the SEC, including a win over No. 1 UCLA (Feb. 18) at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic in Las Vegas, Nev.
» The Series: The Kangaroos are 1-6 all-time against Arkansas. Last season, UMKC traveled to Fayetteville, Ark. to beat the Razorbacks for the first time in team history, 2-1.
LAST TIME OUT...
The Kangaroos went 1-2 in a series at home last weekend against the IUPUI Jaguars (13-27, 5-10 SL) on April 14-15.
In the doubleheader on April 14, UMKC was shutout in both games as IUPUI won, 1-0 and 3-0, despite infielder Kaelene Curry passing Amanda Rice (1999-02) to become the program's all-time leader in career hits.
The next day, UMKC avoided the sweep with a 2-0 victory behind pitcher Deanna Friese (9-11) allowing two hits and striking out eight on her way to pitching her second shutout and 17th completed game of the season. Offensively, Curry led the way with a 2-for-2 performance along with a run, while infielder Kelly Fischer went 1-for-3 with a run.
THE KANGAROO AND RAZORBACK CONNECTION
Currently, two members of the Kangaroo softball coaching staff have ties with Arkansas in assistant coach Shana Easley and graduate assistant Brandy Baze.
Throughout her career (2003-06), Easley was a four-year letterwinner for the Razorbacks and started 213 of the 217 games, while being charged with just 21 errors for a .985 fielding percentage, the second best all-time in team history.
At the plate, Easley finished second on the team in RBI in both 2005 (23) and 2006 (21), including a team-high in home runs (5) and total bases (64) during her senior campaign.
As for Baze, she appeared in 89 games in four years (2006-09) as an infielder before becoming a student coach with the Razorbacks where she worked in all aspects of the team's training as well as assisting with the softball summer camps.
MOVING UP THE CAREER LIST
Along with Curry, three Kangaroo student-athletes moved up the all-time UMKC career list in four different categories this past weekend.
Fischer moved into third for most hits (183), while infielder Chelsea Hartwig now sits in fifth for most putouts (571). Also, Curry moved into the second slot for most walks (67).
As for Friese, she has now started the second most games (80).
THROUGH 40 GAMES IN 2011...
The 'Roos were 10-5 in the Summit League and 26-14 overall coming off a 4-0 win over North Dakota on April 17 in their third game of the Dakota's Round Robin Tournament.
Currently, the Blue & Gold are 18-22 (6-9 SL) heading into Tuesday night's matchup with Arkansas.
NEXT UP FOR THE KANGAROOS...
They will continue their six-game road trip this weekend with a three-game series against league foe North Dakota State (28-14, 12-3 SL) on Saturday (12 p.m. and 2 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m.).
