Kansas City
South Dakota State
Kangaroos Win Big in Game One of Friday?s Doubleheader Against the Jackrabbits
4/6/2012 5:37:00 PM | Softball
Through three innings, the game remained scoreless as pitcher Deanna Friese (7-10) allowed no hits and struck out six, while her counterpart, Kori Seidlitz (3-8), also allowed no hits and struck out five.
In fourth for UMKC, outfielder Emily Ott led off the inning with a single to center. After infielder Megan Ussary was thrown out at first as Ott moved to second, catcher Caitlin Christopher doubled down the left field line to bring in Ott to make it a 1-0 ball game.
Next inning with two outs and nobody on for South Dakota State, same score, catcher Sammy Bingham tripled down the left field line, followed by outfielder Krista Honken reaching third on an error by UMKC as Bingham scored to tie the game.
In the sixth, the 'Roos regained the lead when infielder Chelsea Hartwig singled through the left side to bring in Ussary from third. Later, outfielder Megan Vicino doubled to left-center as Hartwig and Christopher scored to make it a 4-1 ball game.
Next inning for UMKC after a leadoff single by outfielder Anna Sokolik off new pitcher Alex Landon (1-1), same score, Ott doubled to left center as Sokolik scored to give the Kangaroos a 5-1 lead. After an Ussary walk, Christopher doubled and would advance to third on the throw as two runners scored to increase UMKC's lead to six. Next up, Hartwig grounded out to second, but Christopher scored to make the score 8-1.
Later in the inning after a double by infielder Marlee Maples, who later stole third, Vicino reached on an error by the Jackrabbits as Maples scored the game's final run.
For Friese, she allowed one hit and one run along with striking out 10 on her way to completing her 14th game of season.
Leading the way offensively, Christopher went 3-for-4, including three doubles along with three RBI and two runs, while Ott went 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Also, Vicino went 1-for-4 with three RBI as Hartwig chipped in with a 1-for-3 performance driving in two and scoring once.
Game two is set to begin around 4:45 p.m.
