Kansas City
Texas Tech
Red Raiders Zoom Past ?Roos to Open the Jeannie McHaney Memorial Classic
3/8/2013 3:58:00 PM | Softball
With this defeat, the Blue & Gold are now 0-3 against Texas Tech this season with the previous two games also ending in five innings.
In the first, no score, the Kangaroos found themselves in an early jam with Texas Tech loading the bases after two walks and an error by Kansas City. With one out, pitcher Deanna Friese (4-4) struck out outfielder Katelyn Williams, but a throw by catcher Alexandra Friloux down to third resulted in an error as the runner from third won the play at the plate to give the Red Raiders a 1-0 lead. In hopes of trying to get the call at the plate reversed, head coach Meredith Smith was tossed by the home plate umpire for arguing.
In the third, with the score now 2-0 after the Red Raiders capitalized on an UMKC error earlier in the inning, Texas Tech's Adriana Perez (11) hit a three-run homer to left to increase her squad's lead to five. Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, the Red Raiders made it a 6-0 ball game after the runner from third scored on a wild pitch.
The following inning, Kansas City had a chance to do some damage with runners at first and second, yet with two outs. Although, outfielder Kelsey Dean would put the ball in play, but not before designated player Katie Kelley was tagged out at third to end the inning.
As for Texas Tech in fourth, it led off with back-to-back singles, followed by a walk later in the inning to load the bases. After a pitching change, with infielder Taylor Powell at the plate, Kelley (1-1) allowed an RBI-single to make it a 7-0 contest. Next up, catcher Lexie Elkins grounded out to third, but not before the runner from third scored to increase Texas Tech's lead to eight.
In hopes of a rally in the fifth, the Kangaroos could not breakthrough as they were retired in order to end the game.
At game's end, the Kangaroos managed three hits with infielder Jenna Rangel, outfielder Brooke Parker and outfielder Emily Ott all singling.
Coming up, Kansas City will take on the Troy Trojans tomorrow at 11 a.m., followed by its second of three matchups with Texas Tech this weekend at 4 p.m.
