Kansas City
Santa Clara
Kelley, Grove Pitch ?Roos to Doubleheader Sweep
3/25/2015 12:23:00 AM | Softball
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Spring break is off to a successful start for UMKC after the 'Roos (17-14) swept Santa Clara on Tuesday, knocking off the Broncos (10-23) 7-2 and 2-1, respectively.
Cinda Ramos led off game one with a double down the left field line and eventually scored on a RBI double by Katie Kelley to give UMKC an early 1-0 lead.
Santa Clara responded with a pair in the home half, but the 'Roos were far from done offensively. Kelsey Goodwin led off the second inning with a walk and moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt and a ground out. After a Kelsey Leach walk, Ramos hammered her second double in as many at-bats into left field, plating both runners and putting Kansas City back in front.
Marlee Maples began the visitor's half of the third inning with a base hit and eventually scored on a fielder's choice to pad the advantage. One inning later, Katie Kelley deposited Bri Wyatt with a RBI double and it was 5-2, 'Roos.
UMKC capped the scoring in the fifth inning courtesy of a pair of RBI singles by Ramos and Wyatt, respectively, plating Maples and Bevan to set the final tally.
Kelley earned her sixth victory of the season in the circle with a complete game effort. She allowed two runs, scattered seven hits, and struck out nine batters.
If Santa Clara was hoping for a dip in the degree of difficulty associated with the opposing pitcher, they were sorely disappointed, as freshman Amber Grove picked up where Kelley left off.
UMKC grabbed the lead in the top of the first inning after singles by Ramos and Kelley set the table for Caitlin Christopher, who drove in Ramos with a sacrifice fly.
The 'Roos would add insurance in the fifth inning thanks to Ramos' fourth RBI of the evening, a single to right field to score Leach.
Grove, for her part, was outstanding, scattering six hits and striking out without allowing an earned run for her fifth victory of the season.
UMKC will head down the road to Moraga, Calif., tomorrow for a doubleheader versus St. Mary's, before beginning WAC play in Bakersfield, Calif., on Friday.
