Kansas City
Omaha
Stellar Pitching, Defense Headlines UMKC?s 3-0 Victory Over Mavs
4/7/2013 4:49:00 PM | Softball
(Kansas City, Mo.) – The Kansas City Kangaroos (12-16, 1-2 SL) did just enough offensively Sunday afternoon to hand the Omaha Mavericks (27-5, 5-1 SL) their first Summit League loss of the season, 3-0, behind the arm of senior Deanna Friese (8-8), along with the help of her teammates in the field.
With this win, it snapped a four-game skid for the Kangaroos.
To begin the game in the first, Friese got off to a fast start by recording back-to-back strikeouts, whereas infielder Liz Broyles RBI-doubled to right to bring in outfielder Brooke Parker from third, who doubled to lead off the inning.
Two innings later with runners in scoring position, same score, Omaha decided to intentionally walk Broyles to load the bases for UMKC's all-time RBI leader, outfielder Emily Ott. Fortunately for Kansas City, Ott took advantage of the opportunity and singled through the right side to drive in two runs to make it a 3-0 ball game. During the sequence, however, Ott was thrown out while sliding into second.
As the game continued, Friese and the UMKC defense continued to shutdown Omaha's offensive attack by allowing no hits until the sixth inning when Mavs catcher Campbell Ditto singled to left field with two outs. Regardless, the Kangaroos got out of the inning without any more damage done as the ensuing batter reached on a fielder's choice with Ditto getting tagged out at second.
In the seventh, the Kangaroos looked as if they were going to close out the Mavs without any trouble by forcing the first two batters to fly out. Although, Kansas City found themselves in a jam after Friese surrendered back-to-back walks. Yet, Friese ended Omaha's hopes of a comeback victory by freezing outfielder Allie Mathewson for her ninth strikeout of the afternoon.
Along with her nine K's, Friese finished the day allowing one hit and five walks at game's end. Leading the way offensively, Parker went 2-for-2 and scored twice, whereas Broyles went 1-for-2 with a double and a walk.
Coming up, UMKC will continue its eight-game homestand this Wednesday (3 p.m. and 5 p.m.) against No. 7 Mizzou.
