?Roos Open Conference Play Versus Grand Canyon
3/27/2014 11:50:00 PM | Softball
Date(s): March 28-29, 2014
Site: Stapleton-Pierson Stadium / Phoenix, Ariz.
Live Radio: GCULopes.com
Twitter: @KCRoos_Softball
(Kansas City, Mo.) – After a hard-fought three-game set in Los Angeles, Calif., to begin the week, Kansas City opens its inaugural season in the Western Athletic Conference at Grand Canyon this weekend.
The two teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Friday, followed by an additional contest on Saturday.
THE VENUEStapleton-Pierson Stadium is named after the two men, Dave Stapleton and John Pierson, who began and completed a dream come true for the Grand Canyon University softball program.
However, this was truly a community effort. A lengthy list consists of the people on this campus who literally put their body, mind, and soul into the completion of this facility. Contributors such as Dr. Dave Brazell, baseball coach Dave Stapleton, softball coach Ann Pierson (then Pedersen), the 2003-'04 baseball team, the 2003-'04 softball team, the 2003-'04 men's soccer team and many more will be remembered for their hard work and dedication.
The stadium was completed and ready for the inaugural season of the GCU softball team and dedicated in February of 2004. Two plaques, one on each dugout, honor those who contributed to this “dream come true.”
THE OPPONENTWith an RPI of 121, Grand Canyon enters the weekend as the highest-rated team in the Western Athletic Conference, with notable wins over Oregon State and San Diego in non-conference play.
The Antelopes (15-15) are led offensively by Kelsey Barak and Kayla Henry, each hitting .340 over 97 at bats. Barak provides the power, as well, with a team-leading four homeruns and 20 runs driven in.
Stephani Pesqueira paces the 'Lopes in the circle with a 3.34 ERA 42 strikeouts, and eight complete games over 88 innings. Pesqueira has also been a problem with the bat, hitting .406 with a homerun and nine RBI in 33 plate appearances.
THE COACHESNow in her eighth season as the head coach at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, head coach Meredith Smith Neal has transformed the UMKC softball program into a formidable contender in the Western Athletic Conference and beyond, becoming one of sport's up-and-comers in the process.
Under Smith Neal, Kansas City clinched its third consecutive postseason appearance in 2013, qualifying for The Summit League Tournament with a 6-7 conference record.
In 2008, UMKC finished with an 8-31 overall record, doubling its win total from 2007 despite fielding a team with nine freshmen. The .205 winning percentage was the program's best since 2003, and the modest improvement was the start of a four-year run of increased victory totals.
Smith Neal stands as the program's all-time winningest coach with an overall record of 137-210 (.395).
After 10 campaigns in Division II, Ann Pierson leads Grand Canyon softball into its first season at the NCAA Division I level in 2014.
Pierson, the only head coach in the program's history, has led GCU softball to great success on an off the field.
On the field, the program participated in post season three of the last four years, including back-to-back seasons in 2012 and 2013. In 2010, GCU went to the post season for the first time and had a school-record 42 wins. The program hit the 40-win mark for a second time in 2013.
Pierson has produced four NCAA Division II All-Americans. In 2013, outfielder Kayla Henry was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Second Team and Daktronics, Inc., Honorable Mention All-America, as voted on by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
A pair of key contributors to the 'Roos' offensive success had breakout performances in Los Angeles early in the week, as Katie Kelley and Marlee Maples combined to go 10-for-24 with two homeruns and eight RBI.
Not only were the hits plentiful, but timely, as well, as three of the pair's 10 hits allowed Kansas City to tie or take the lead.
LAST TIME OUT(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.
UP NEXTThe 'Roos will travel to Omaha, Neb., for a doubleheader versus Nebraska-Omaha on Tuesday, April 1. Start times are slated for 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
