Kansas City
Hawaii
Hawaii Rallies Late to Top ?Roos
3/26/2014 7:24:00 PM | Softball
(Los Angeles, Calif.) – Hawaii rallied for five runs in the sixth inning to defeat Kansas City 7-4 in the Kangaroos' final game of a three-game set on the campus of Loyola Marymount on Wednesday.
The 'Roos were first to the scoreboard after Bri Wyatt led off the game with a single and advanced to third base on back-to-back illegal pitches. Two batters later, Marlee Maples lined a frozen rope down the left field line to plate Wyatt and give UMKC a 1-0 lead.
Katie Kelley had it going in the circle for Kansas City through the game's first five innings, striking out two batters in the second inning, another in the third, and two in the fourth.
Hawaii broke through in the top of the fourth inning with a lead-off single followed by a two-run homerun, but Kelley rallied to retire the side in order, thereafter.
The 'Roos responded in the bottom of the fourth inning after Kelley led off the inning with a double to left-centerfield. Three batters later, Aly Zembruski drove in pinch runner Abby Warkentine and the game was tied 2-2.
Kansas City reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, as a surprise bunt by Marlee Maples caught the defense on its heels and allowed for a base runner with one away. After Caitilin Christopher reached on an error that moved Maples to second base, Kelley again roped a double beyond the centerfielder, plating Maples and an unyielding Christopher to give the 'Roos a 4-2 lead.
The flood gates opened in the sixth inning as Hawaii plated five runs on three hits and capitalized on a pair of errors. The Rainbow Wahine got a double and a three-run homerun to begin the frame, chasing Kelley from the circle. With Ramos pitching in relief, Hawaii added two more runs when strike three ricocheted off of the catcher, then off the foot of the hitter, forcing a rushed, wide throw that pulled Gale from the bag and provided an opportunity for the trail runner to score from second base.
The 'Roos were able to bring the tying run to the plate after a Kelley walk and an Alex Friloux single in the seventh inning, but Hawaii escaped the jam to preserve the victory.
Kelley pitched five innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits, and striking out five. Pitching in relief, Ramos went two innings and did not allow a run on two hits, while fanning four batters.
Kelley, with a 2-for-3, two RBI day at the plate, improved upon a stellar weekend at the plate, hitting .556 in nine official plate appearances. Marlee Maples and Bri Wyatt each went 5-for-12 over the three-game set, with Maples and Kelley combining for two homeruns, eight RBI, and 21 total bases.
Kansas City will begin WAC play on Friday in Phoenix, Ariz., with three games in two days versus fellow conference-newcomer Grand Canyon.
