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Kansas City
Missouri State
UMKC Falls to Missouri State in the Jayhawk Invitational, 5-2
3/10/2016 6:56:00 PM | Softball
Box Score
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The UMKC softball team was unable to come back from an initial three-run deficit to Missouri State in the Jayhawk Invitational at Arrocha Ballpark in Lawrence, Kansas, and fell to the Bears 5-2 on Thursday, March 10.
Missouri State (10-8) took the early lead, hitting a three-run home run off senior pitcher Katie Kelley (0-6) in the third inning. The home run marked the seventh Kelley has allowed this season.
The 'Roos (5-10) were able to answer back quickly with a two out rally of their own. Freshman Bri Sims (1-for-3) singled to the shortstop with two away to start the momentum, and sophomore Kendra Leach (2-for-3) followed with a bunt single. Sims was able to advance to third on the play because of a Missouri State throwing error to put runners at the corners.
Head coach Meredith Smith Neal sent freshman Kameron Fisher in to pinch-run for Leach, and the decision paid off, as Fisher stole second base and forced another throwing error, allowing Sims to score from third to make the score 3-1.
Freshman Morgan Byrn (1-for-3) kept the rally going and brought the 'Roos back within one with a single to right field to score Fisher, before junior Kelsey Volle (0-for-2) grounded out to end the inning.
UMKC threatened in the sixth, with sophomore Kelsey Goodwin (1-for-3) leading off the inning with a single, and working her way to third after a sacrifice bunt from redshirt freshman Rachel Pate (0-for-2) and a wild pitch, but was unable to take the final sprint home, as Leach struck out swinging to end the threat and keep the score 3-2 in favor of the Bears.
After getting out of the inning without giving up a run, the Bears were able to add to their lead with another two-out hit, this time scoring two runs on a double to left center to give Missouri State a three-run advantage heading into the last frame.
Byrn led off the final inning for UMKC, and squared a ball up, but as tough luck would have it, she lined back to the pitcher for the first out. To make things tougher, senior Brooke Parker (1-for-1) singled up the middle that would have likely put Byrn at third with no outs.
Parker, the UMKC all-time steals leader, did what she does best, and took her eighth bag of the year, to move into scoring position for junior Alex Gale (2-for-2).
Gale worked a walk to bring up junior Abby Warkentine (0-for-3) with two on. Warkentine struck out swinging, leaving the 'Roos with just one out for Kelley, who was unable to bring in the runners as she fouled out to left field to end the game.
The 'Roos resume the Jayhawk Invitational on Friday, March 11, with an 11:30 a.m. tilt against Northern Iowa, and a 7 p.m. matchup with Western Illinois.
