Kansas City
Seattle
UMKC Takes Two from Seattle
4/17/2015 5:58:00 PM | Softball
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The 'Roos turned in arguably their best series-opening performance of the season on Friday, knocking off Seattle 3-2 and 9-1, respectively, in a double-dip that saw the home team bang out three home runs and three extra base hits without committing an error in the process of moving back into the driver's seat with regards to contention for the second seed in the WAC Tournament.
Brooke Parker got things started for UMKC in the bottom of the first inning with a walk and a stolen base. The steal was Parker's 25th of the season – a new program single-season record. She advanced to third base on a Bri Wyatt single and scored a few pitches later on the back end of a successful double steal to give the 'Roos a 1-0 lead.
Cinda Ramos continued her march towards the single-season hits record with a double to lead off the fourth inning. One batter later, Marlee Maples crushed her ninth home run of the season to give UMKC starter Amber Grove some breathing room.
Grove, for her part, was sound in the circle – the lone hiccup a two-run shot for Seattle's Bubba Morrow to cut the 'Roos lead to one in the top of the sixth. The freshman delivered six innings of work, allowing two runs on five hits, while walking three and striking out one. Ramos entered in relief for the game's final frame and nailed down her first save of the season with a one-hit seventh.
Fans in attendance were treated to an even more aesthetically pleasing encore. The Redhawks were on the board first with a run in the top of the third, but UMKC hammered the visitors with nine unanswered over the ensuing two innings of action to bring things to a close earlier than expected.
Parker led off the third inning with a single to left field and – surprise, surprise – a stolen base. She scored from second one batter later when Kendra Leach, seeing her first action of 2015, dropped a RBI single into left field – advancing to second base on the throw. Katie Kelley moved Leach to third with a single and Ramos plated another run with a sacrifice fly to deep left field. After a Maples single, Caitlin Christopher blasted a three-run shot and the 'Roos were in control.
With one out in the fourth inning, Parker singled through the left side. Leach moved her up a bag with a base hit of her own and Kelley followed with a towering three-run home run down the left field line to all but put the game away. One batter later, Ramos doubled again and Maples chased her with the eventual game-shortening RBI single, providing UMKC with a 9-1 advantage and placing the onus on SU to plate a run of their own in order to stay alive.
If Kelley was good at the plate, she was great in the circle. The Coweta, Okla., native slammed the door in the fifth inning, retiring the Redhawks in order. Over five innings of work, she allowed just one earned run and struck out three, while walking one and scattering four hits.
With inclement weather imminent, Saturday's series finale is in jeopardy but is still currently slated for 12 p.m. (CST).
