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UMKC Heads North on I-29 for Pair of Doubleheaders in Mount Rushmore State
4/11/2016 3:17:00 PM | Softball
Game Notes
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The UMKC softball team, riding a five-game win-streak, takes a break from conference play as they head to the Mount Rushmore State to take on South Dakota and South Dakota State for two games apiece.
The 'Roos (13-17) face South Dakota (12-26) on Tuesday, April 12, with a doubleheader at 2 and 4 p.m. in Vermillion, South Dakota, before heading north on I-29 to Brookings to face South Dakota State (14-24) on Wednesday at 1 and 3 p.m.
Fan Information
Tuesday's doubleheader between UMKC and South Dakota will be played at Nygaard Field in Vermillion, South Dakota. The first game is scheduled for 2 p.m., with live stats available via SidearmStats.com/USD/softball. No audio or video stream will be available.
UMKC's games on Wednesday will be in Brookings, South Dakota at the Jackrabbit Softball Stadium. First pitch of game one is slated for 1 p.m., and a live audio broadcast will be available via ksdjradio.com. Fans can follow live stats at SouthDakotaState.Statbroadcast.com.
Base Hits
- UMKC holds an all-time record of 395-838.
- Head coach Meredith Smith Neal is the winningest coach in UMKC softball history with an all-time record of 195-291.
- UMKC is currently on a five-game win-streak.
- The 'Roos hold a 10-8 advantage over South Dakota in the all-time series history.
- UMKC is 0-4 against South Dakota in Vermillion.
- The 'Roos are 15-8 in the all-time series against South Dakota State, including winning the last three contests.
- UMKC is 5-3 in Brookings against SDSU.
- Senior Brooke Parker tallied a career-high four hits against CSU Bakersfield, twice, going 4-for-4 in game two of the series, and 4-for-5 in the finale.
Parker Earns First-Career WAC Weekly Award
Senior outfielder Brooke Parker tabbed her first WAC Player of the Week honor, being named Hitter of the Week for April 4-10, after tallying 10 hits in the series sweep of CSU Bakersfield. Among her 10 hits, Parker had a 4-for-4 effort in game two of the series. The four hits marked a career-best performance, and she would go on to match the four-hit effort in the series finale with a 4-for-5 outing. Parker also scored five runs and drove in another two in the series.
Yep, That'll Play
The 'Roos are off to a 5-1 start in conference play, which is the best since 2002 at UMKC, where the 'Roos started conference (Mid-Continent Conference) 14-1, before finishing 16-3 in league play. In the first six conference games, the 'Roos are batting .329 with nine doubles and are averaging 7.67 runs per game.
#Plunklist
Junior Alex Gale has made her way on UMKC opponents' plunk list, as she has been hit by a pitch 11 times this season. On three separate occasions, Gale has been hit by a pitch twice in a game, including both games of the doubleheader against CSU Bakersfield. Her season total leads the WAC, and ranks 15th in the nation in hit by pitch per game (0.38).
Clutch Gene
Senior Katie Kelley is batting .471 with runners in scoring position (16-for-34), leading the 'Roos in the category this season. What's more, Kelley has stepped to the plate seven times this season with the bases loaded, and has came through with a hit six times. She is 9-for-11 with a runner on third base with less than two outs, and 7-for-20 with two outs.
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.
Double Down
With seven doubles this season, senior Katie Kelley's career total is 44, three shy of the UMKC record of 47, set by Amanda Rice (1999-2002).
On the Chase for the Record
Katie Kelley has recorded 35 hits this season, averaging 1.167 hits per game. With a total of 188 in her career, she currently ranks fourth on UMKC's all-time list. If she continues her pace, she would end with 209 career hits at the end of the regular season, 14 shy of the UMKC record of 223 (Kaelene Curry, 2009-12).
Up Next
The 'Roos will get a day of rest before they're back on the diamond. Following the SDSU doubleheader, UMKC has Thursday off, and will pick up conference play action with a three-game set against Utah Valley in Kansas City on April 15 and 16. UMKC is currently on a five-game conference win streak and is 3-0 at home this year.
