Kansas City
Grand Canyon
?Roos Drop WAC Opener to Grand Canyon
3/29/2014 1:51:00 AM | Softball
(Phoenix, Ariz.) – Cinda Ramos and Katie Kelley combined to allow just three earned runs over 13 innings, but it wasn't enough to overcome fielding miscues and stranded baserunners, as Kansas City dropped the first two games of the conference slate, 3-2 and 6-1, respectively, at Grand Canyon on Friday.
In game one, Katie Kelley scattered eight hits over 5.2 innings of relief work, allowing only a two-run homerun versus the first batter she faced before slamming the door on the Antelopes into the eighth inning.
Trailing 2-0 in the top of the seventh inning, Alex Gale reached base with a one-out single to centerfield to set the table for Alex Friloux. Friloux delivered a few pitches later, blasting a two-run shot into right field for her first collegiate homerun.
The celebration was short-lived for the 'Roos, however, as a pair of errors doomed UMKC in the home half of the eighth. The lead-off runner reached base via error, followed by a bunt single, but it appeared as though Kelley would escape danger after back-to-back outs. Unfortunately for the visitors, a ground ball to the right side was mishandled, allowing the game-winning run to score from second base.
“Really, it just goes back to what we've been saying,” said head coach Meredith Smith Neal. “We have got to close out ball games. We have got to make the plays that are there to be made.”
Friloux went 2-for-3 in game one, with two RBI and a run scored, while Marlee Maples also went 2-for-3 with a double.
In game two, Kansas City ran into trouble early and never fully recovered. Grand Canyon managed a five spot in the bottom of the first, chasing starter Kenzie Flaws from the circle after six batters.
From there, GCU starter Taylor Nowlin cruised with the comfortable lead, tossing a complete game five-hitter, allowing just one earned run.
As for the single run, Kelley made it count, destroying a solo shot over the 100-foot high netting beyond the left field wall to cut into the Antelope advantage and set the eventual final margin at 6-1.
“Cinda (Ramos) and Katie (Kelley) pitched well enough for us to win today,” said Smith Neal. “We just didn't get it done behind them. We've got several players swinging the bat well for us right now, as well. We've just got to make a few adjustments and start doing the little things, and we will be fine.”
The 'Roos are back at it on Saturday, meeting Grand Canyon for the teams' final regular season matchup at 3 p.m. (CST).
