Kansas City
Missouri State
?Roos Push Winning Streak to Four with Sweep Over Missouri State
3/19/2013 6:05:00 PM | Softball
(Springfield, Mo.) -- Tuesday evening, the Kansas City Kangaroos (11-12) concluded their 23-game road swing to start the season with a doubleheader sweep over the Missouri State Bears (10-14, 1-1 MVC), 2-1 and 7-2. With these victories, UMKC pushed its winning streak to four.
In game one, Missouri State took an early 1-0 lead in the opening inning by way of Heather Duckworth's (2) solo home run off starting pitcher Deanna Friese (7-5).
Although, Kansas City's offense came alive in the third, sparked by back-to-back singles from infielder's Jenna Rangel and Liz Broyles. Next up, infielder Marlee Maples drove in both runners with an infield single to second to make it a 2-1 ball game in favor of the Kangaroos.
Later in the inning, same score, the Bears led off with back-to-back singles of their own, yet UMKC's defense held steady by recording three consecutive outs to maintain its one-score lead.
As the game progressed, the Kangaroos had a chance to stretch their lead with runners in scoring position in both the fourth and fifth innings, but Missouri State's defense was able to keep the deficit at one.
In the seventh, with UMKC still maintaining its 2-1 lead, the Bears had the game tying run at second with one out. However, Kansas City halted Missouri State's comeback by retiring the final two batters, including Friese recording her sixth strikeout of the game to seal the win. Friese's outing also included only allowing four hits and surrendering two walks.
Offensively, despite only touching home plate twice, the Kangaroos connected on nine hits, led by Maples going 2-for-3 with two RBI and Rangel also going 2-for-3 with a run scored.
In game two, UMKC took an early 1-0 lead in the first when Broyles drove in outfielder Brooke Parker with a bunt-single, who led off the inning with a double down the left field line.
Next inning, the Bears had a chance to cut into Kansas City's lead when they led off with back-to-back singles, followed by a sacrifice bunt to move the runners over to second and third with one out. But, the Kangaroos answered by retiring the next two batters, including pitcher Cinda Ramos (3-6) striking out Missouri State's Kirstin Cutter to end the inning.
In the fourth, same score, designated player Caitlin Christopher (1) belted one deep to left field off pitcher Jessie Van Es (2-7) to make it a 2-0 ball game. Although, the Bears battled back and tied the game later in the inning when infielder Bethany Sullinger drove in two runs with a double to left center.
Despite Missouri State tying the contest, UMKC scored five runs in the final two innings to put the game out of reach, beginning with Christopher driving in Broyles from third to make it a 3-2 ball game. In the following inning, Kansas City took advantage of three Missouri State errors to score four runs, capped off by infielder Chelsea Hartwig driving in Maples with a single.
Even though the Bears out hit UMKC at game's end, 9-8, Broyles and Christopher both went 2-for-4 with two RBI, to go along with two runs scored for Broyles and a run scored for Christopher.
Pitching wise, Ramos tallied three strikeouts and two walks in five innings of work, whereas Friese (1) pitched two innings and recorded three strikeouts to pick up the save.
Coming up, the Blue & Gold will open up their home schedule as they will welcome the defending Summit League regular season and tournament champions, North Dakota State, on Friday (3 p.m. and 5 pm.) and Saturday (12 p.m.).
