Softball: Offensive Explosion Leads Roos past SF Austin

Sunday, February 16

Arlington, Texas

11:00 AM

Kansas City

2-3

Stephen F. Austin

6-3

Kansas City

Stephen F. Austin

Photo by: Ellman Photography

Softball: Offensive Explosion Leads Roos past SF Austin

2/16/2020 2:42:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score

ARLINGTON, Texas -- In the final game of the Maverick Classic, the Roos found its stride on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Kansas City softball (2-3) dominated Stephen F Austin by a final score of 9-2. This was the Roos second matchup in the tournament with the preseason favorite in the Southland Conference, defeating the Lumberjacks both times and wrapping up the Classic with a 2-3 record.

Sophomore Kailyn Packard got the nod in the circle and was solid all game. She went five innings, giving up just four hits and two earned runs. She also racked up four strikeouts. Last season, Packard led the team in appearances (39), starts (22), ERA (2.76), strikeouts (143) and complete games (13). She was nothing short of fantastic this morning, earning win number two on the young season.

"KP pitched much better," said head coach Kerry Shaw. "She wasn't overthinking or overthrowing and she attacked the zone with her natural free and easy movement."

In addition to the great performance in the circle, the offense for Kansas City was on fire. The Roos totaled nine hits, two of those being extra bases (doubles). A total of six Roos found the hit column. The team saw the ball well also, earning eight walks.

The Roos struck first in the top of the first inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, freshman Abby Sciara stepped into the box. Most freshman would be timid in the box in clutch situations. However, Sciara stepped up to the plate and delivered, driving in Onstad and Garcia for her first RBI's of her collegiate career. That hit would set the tone for the team the rest of the game.

"We did a good job of putting the pressure on them early and Abby came up clutch with a 2 out single with the bases loaded in the first," said Shaw.

The fourth inning proved to be the difference in this one. With a 2-1 lead, Kansas City poured onto the lead. After Faith Willis walked and Maggie Klover was HBP, Sydney Garcia picked up an RBI, driving in Willis. The throw in went astray, and Klover scored as well. Then, catcher Ashlynn Williams drove one up the middle, scoring Garcia. The Roos would add one more run in the inning, putting up four runs to take a 6-1 lead.

Garcia added two more RBI's to her name in the top of the sixth inning, all but sealing up the game. She ended the game 3-4 with three RBI's and a double.

Sophomore pitcher Mia Hoveland came into the game in the sixth inning and stifled the Lumberjacks late run, allowing no runs in two innings of work.

"Mia came in and did a wonderful job of limiting the damage and holding them at the end," said Shaw.

Up Next
Kansas City will be in the Aloha State next weekend, as they head to the Hawaii Invitational Feb. 21-23 for five games. While there, the Roos will face Iowa, Hawaii, and Portland State.