Kansas City
Idaho State
Kelley Tosses Shutout, Leads ?Roos to Split
3/14/2015 11:49:00 PM | Softball
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Katie Kelley threw a complete game shutout and homered to break a scoreless tie, leading UMKC to a 5-0 victory over Omaha and a Saturday split.
Kelley was dynamic in the circle, striking out five batters and walking none while allowing just four hits over seven innings of work.
In the home half of the third inning, she provided all of the run support she'd need, as well, crushing a two-run shot to centerfield to give UMKC a lead it would never relinquish.
One inning later, the 'Roos would add insurance. Caitlin Christopher led off the frame with a single and scored one batter later on a Kelsey Goodwin RBI double. Later in the inning, it was Emily Bevan providing the power with a two-run home run of her own – her second homer of the afternoon – to give UMKC a 5-0 advantage that would eventually prove decisive.
In game one, the 'Roos jumped ahead of Idaho State 4-0 early. Kelley drove in Brooke Parker for the game's first run after Parker stole a pair of bases to get into scoring position. Marlee Maples led off the top of the second inning with her sixth home run of the season – a new career-best. Two batters later, Bevan lifted a two-run shot to centerfield and UMKC led 3-0 after two full innings.
The 'Roos would add a run in the third inning by virtue of a Cinda Ramos RBI groundout after Parker again stole her way into scoring position, but the good news would end there, as Idaho State stormed back with three runs in the fourth and four runs in the sixth to seize control of the game.
UMKC will conclude play at the Jayhawk Invitational tomorrow morning with its second and final matchup versus Northern Colorado. The 'Roos handled UNC 5-4 in eight innings yesterday.
