?Roos Open Conference Play at Grand Canyon
3/31/2016 11:21:00 AM | Softball
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The UMKC softball team is set to open Western Athletic Conference play with a three-game series against Grand Canyon in Phoenix, Arizona April 1 and 2.
The 'Roos and Lopes will play a doubleheader on Friday with the first game scheduled for 8 p.m. CST with the second game to follow. The series will conclude on Saturday, with first pitch slated for 8 p.m. CST.
Fan Information
All three of the weekend's contests will have live stats available via GCU.Statbroadcast.com for pitch-by-pitch updates of the action.
Friday's doubleheader will have live audio available through Grand Canyon's website at GCULopes.com, and Saturday's series finale will be available to stream live on the WAC Digital Network via WACSports.com/Live.
Links for all live stats and live broadcasts are available on the UMKC Softball schedule page next to the associated game.
Base Hits
- UMKC holds an all-time record of 390-837.
- Head coach Meredith Smith Neal is the winningest coach in UMKC softball history with an all-time record of 190-290.
- The 'Roos hold a record of 1-5 all-time against Grand Canyon.
- UMKC is 1-2 against Grand Canyon in Phoenix in the all-time series.
- Senior pitcher/utility player Katie Kelley has pitched seven-straight appearances (29.2 innings) without allowing an earned run, striking out 22 batters along the way.
- Senior outfielder Brooke Parker has reached base safely in 11 straight games, tallying a hit in 10 of the 11.
Already a Regular
Freshman Morgan Byrn has made herself a regular in the lineup this season, as she is the only player on the team to start every game at the same position. The shortstop role is all for Byrn, who has proved her worth by playing solid defense and posting a .937 fielding percentage.
SE7EN
Senior pitcher Katie Kelley has went seven-straight appearances in the circle without allowing an earned run. The streak, which started against Northern Iowa (March 11), has included a 2-2 record and a save from Kelley. The Coweta, Oklahoma native has pitched 29.2 innings across the span of the seven appearances, striking out 22 batters.
Welcome Back, Welcome Back, Friloux's Back
After missing nearly a month due to a nagging injury, senior catcher Alexandra Friloux made her presence known at the ASA Hall of Fame Complex against No. 13 Oklahoma. The Ama, Louisiana native drive in a pair of runs in a crucial spot in the game. With two outs in the fourth inning, down four runs, Friloux took advantage of two 'Roos in scoring position and ripped a single to right center to drive in both runs and cut the Sooner lead in half.
Turn Two!
The 'Roos have been put in numerous situations this year where they have needed big plays from the defense to get them out of a jam, and the defense has stepped up in major ways, turning 14 double plays, four more than UMKC turned in all of 2015. In recent history, the 'Roos turned 25 doubles plays in 2009 and 20 in 2011, both numbers that could be surpassed if the defense keeps up the pace. The 14 double plays ranks seventh in the nation in double plays per game (0.58). Freshman Bri Sims has been a major part of the double plays, as she has been involved in seven of the 14 turned this year.
Up Next
The 'Roos host CSU Bakersfield for the 2016 home opener at the Missouri 3&2 Complex. UMKC and CSUB will square off in a doubleheader on April 8 with the first game scheduled for 2 p.m. and will conclude the series on Saturday, April 9 with first pitch scheduled for noon.
