UMKC Returns Home for a Doubleheader Against Missouri State on Tuesday

(Kansas City, Mo.) - After a seven-game road trip in the state of Utah last week, the UMKC softball team (14-18, 3-6 SL) returns home for a doubleheader matchup (3 p.m. and 5 p.m.) against the Missouri State Bears (15-13, 4-5 MVC) on Tuesday at the Missouri 3&2 Field.

Earlier in the season, UMKC defeated the Bears, 7-0, in the sixth game of the Missouri Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament on March 3 here in Kansas City. With that victory, head coach Meredith Smith became the first coach in the program's history to reach the century mark in wins.

THE OPPONENT

» Missouri State Bears (15-13, 4-5 Missouri Valley Conference as of April 2)

Coming in, the Bears have dropped four out of their last six games with losses to Evansville, Kansas, and Drake (twice).

For the season, pitcher/outfielder Chelsea Jones leads the squad in hitting (.304) and slugging (.446), while second in RBI (10) behind catcher Caitlin Chapin (11), who also is the team leader in home runs (4).

On the mound, Natalie Rose (11-5) holds a team-best 1.68 ERA to go along with 109 strikeouts and two saves in 22 appearances. On Feb. 20, Rose was named the Missouri Valley Pitcher of the Week as she struck out 19 batters in 15 innings of work in three appearances in the Mean Green Classic in Denton, Texas.

As for Jones (3-7), she has made 15 appearances for a 4.03 ERA while striking out 27.

» The Head Coach: In 24 seasons, head coach Holly Hesse is the winningest coach in Missouri State history with a 604-596-2 (.504) record. Under her leadership, she has led the Bears to two regular-season conference titles, five conference tournament crowns, and five NCAA Tournament appearances.

» The Series: The 'Roos are 7-30 all-time against Missouri State. Before their matchup earlier this season, the two squads met twice on April 12, 2011 in Springfield, Mo. as the Bears won both meetings, 9-1 (five innings) and 5-4.

LAST TIME OUT...

The Kangaroos went 1-2 in a three-game set on the road against Southern Utah. On March 30, the teams split a doubleheader as the Kangaroos took game one, 5-2, but dropped game two, 5-3.

The next day, UMKC fell 9-6 to close out its seven-game road trip in the state of Utah.

OTT STAYING HOT

In the last 10 games, pitcher/outfielder Emily Ott is hitting .412 with 14 hits, eight RBI, and three walks. Before going 0-for-4 in the second game of a doubleheader against Southern Utah, the Des Plaines, Ill. native held an eight-game hit streak.

Earlier in the week, Ott (1-0) picked up her first win when she pitched two innings striking out one and allowing two earned runs in the first game of a doubleheader against Utah Valley in a relief appearance.

For the season, Ott leads UMKC in hitting (.362), slugging (.436), on-base percentage (.444), and RBI (19), while tied with infielder Kaelene Curry for the team leader in hits (34).

MOVING UP THE CAREER LIST

This past weekend, five Kangaroo student-athletes moved up the all-time UMKC career list in nine different categories.

Outfielder Anna Sokolik moved into the sixth slot for most runs scored (68) and is now ninth in hits (124), while Ott is now in fifth for most stolen bases (30) as infielder Megan Ussary tied Julie Harding (1992-95) for the 10th most RBI (49).

As for Curry, she is now eighth in RBI (51), third in assists (317), and tied for fifth in triples (7) with Amy Barnard (2000-02). The Downers Grove, Ill. native is also six away from tying Amanda Rice (1999-02) for most hits (201).

On the mound, pitcher Deanna Friese (5-10) moved into first for most completed games (57) and most innings pitched (505.1), while moving into second for most appearances (96).

WHERE THEY STAND IN THE RPI

Monday, the NCAA released its second RPI rankings of 2012 as the Kangaroos sit at the 140th spot. Last season, UMKC finished with its highest ranking in team history at 117.

THROUGH 32 GAMES IN 2011...

The 'Roos were 7-5 in the Summit League and 20-12 overall coming off a 5-0 win over Western Illinois in the last game of a three-game set on April 3.

Currently, the Blue & Gold are 14-18 (3-6 SL) heading into a doubleheader against Missouri State on Tuesday.

NEXT UP FOR THE KANGAROOS...

Will be a three-game set on the road against South Dakota State (6-17, 2-7 SL) this week on Friday (2 p.m. and 4 p.m.) and Saturday (1 p.m.).