Kansas City
St. John's
'Roos Fall to St. John's, Jackson State
2/14/2014 5:40:00 PM | Softball
Caitlin Christopher cleared the bases with a grand slam in the bottom of the fifth inning but it wasn't enough as St. John's defeated Kansas City 11-4 at the Arkansas Invitational.
The Red Storm wasted no time in getting to the 'Roos, starting 3-for-3 with a pair of singles, a double, and a sacrifice fly in their first four at bats to take a 2-0 lead after a half inning of play.
St. John's got three more in the third, setting the table via error and hit batsman. A fielder's choice and a single followed to plate a pair. Then, with the bases loaded and two away, the second batter of the inning was hit by a pitch to force in another run, and starting pitcher Cinda Ramos was lifted for Kenzie Flaws.
The Johnnies added three in the fourth, one in the fifth, and a two in the visiting half of the seventh, pounding out 13 hits and capitalizing on four UMKC errors.
The 'Roos were finally able to break through in the fifth inning, after Alex Gale, Brooke Parker, and Katie Kelley reached on walks. With the bases full, Christopher jumped on a 2-0 pitch, sending it well over the wall in right-centerfield for a grand slam that stood as the junior's second homerun of the season.
The 'Roos fell to Jackson State in the nightcap 9-5 despite out-hitting the Tigers 11-9.
Just as in the earlier game, the opponent was quick to jump on the scoreboard, plating three runs on two hits, two walks, and an error. Only one of Jackson State's first inning runs were earned.
Kansas City responded in the top of the third. Bri Wyatt reached with a single and advanced to second on a throwing error. Two batters later, Christopher singled up the middle, though the ball was corraled by a diving shortstop. No matter, Wyatt was hustling all the way and scored from second base on the play.
Miscues in the home half of the third allowed the Tigers to put a pair on with one away via error and hit batsman before Amy Lara singled and Chelsea Smith tripled to drive in both runners.
The 'Roos were back for more in the fifth. Wyatt singled to the left side, followed by a Katie Kelley single and a wild pitch, placing runners at second and third. Two batters later, Aly Zembruski singled past the shortstop to score Wyatt. The second wild pitch of the inning would ensue, allowing Abby Warkentine, running for Kelley, to score from third base.
UMKC would get another run in the sixth inning, with Brooke Parker doing the heavy manufacturing. Parker walked to lead off the frame, stole second and third base, and scored a few pitches later when Kelley followed a bunt single with an RBI single up the middle.
It wouldn't be enough to erase what seemed to be an immovable deficit, however, as Jackson State answered the 'Roos in the home half of every inning in which they scored. The Tigers got two in the bottoms of the fifth and sixth innings.
Kansas City did not go quietly, plating its fifth run of the game in the top of the seventh, Zembruski scoring on an RBI double by Marlee Maples. But the rally ended there -- too little, too late.
UMKC will be back on the diamond today at 2 p.m. to face the Butler Bulldogs in the team's third game of the Arkansas Invitational.
