Kansas City Softball Opens Season 2-0 in Day One of the DePaul Dome Tournament

Friday, February 12

Rosemont, Ill.

11:00 AM

Kansas City

1-0

Loyola University Chicago

0-1

Loyola

Missouri Kansas City

Kansas City Softball Opens Season 2-0 in Day One of the DePaul Dome Tournament

2/12/2021 9:42:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Final Box- Game 1 Final Box- Game 2

Strong pitching performances and hot bats leave the Roos victorious

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Kansas City Softball opened their 2021 season in the DePaul Dome Tournament. The Roos return a veteran squad after a shortened 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With unfinished business, seniors Lia Lombardini, Faith Willis, and Macy Hornosky returned to the diamond with a bang. Returners also feature the dynamic pitching-catching duo of Mia Hoveland and Alexis D'Ambrosio, as well as hot-hitter Delainey Fenoglio.

Game No. One v. Loyola-Chicago [Final 3-2 in 8 innings]

In the first game of the DePaul Dome Tournament, the Roos (1-0) took on the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers (0-1). It was a slow start for the offense, but Hoveland took care of business on the mound to keep Kansas City in the game. Junior transfer Ally Vonfeldt tried to break it open in the bottom of the second by nearly crushing a two-run homerun but instead it bounced off the 235-yard centerfield fence, scoring the hit as a double. Nine Roos were left on base in regulation before taking care of business in extra innings.

"We have a good offensive team. We had to get out of our own way, be prepared to swing and be confident in our pitch selection," Head Coach Kerry Shaw said.

In a picture-perfect finish, Lombardini was the first to step to the plate in the bottom of the eighth with a runner on second in international tie-breaker fashion. The coaches let Lombardini swing away for a walk-off two run homerun and the Roos first victory of the season.

"Going into the bottom of the eighth of an international tiebreak situation and down one, I know they were expecting us to bunt and I didn't want to play for a tie," Coach Shaw explained. "Lombardini and Vonfeldt had both been squaring the ball up well. I told Lia it's your senior season, go out and have fun."

That wasn't the only crucial homerun of the game for the Roos. Kansas City's last shot to extend the game came in the bottom of the seventh, two outs, and down by one. A moment none too big for D'Ambrosio as she stepped up and pulled one long past the left field fence.

"Credit to Lex, she didn't try to do too much, just met the ball low and in and drove it down the left field line. It was just a matter of time before something went our way," the second-year head coach said.

The homeruns weren't the only highlights for Kansas City in their battle against Loyola-Chicago. Mia Hoveland had herself a career-day in the circle ending with 13 strikeouts, zero walks, and only gave up four hits to the Ramblers. Hoveland struck out every hitter in the Ramblers starting lineup at least once. A very impressive performance against a lethal Loyola team who led the Missouri Valley Conference in many offensive categories last season.

"Mia pitched her heart out. We couldn't break the seal through the first six innings, a lot of two-out opportunities we lost with runners left on base," Coach Shaw said. "She deserved to win that game. She was lights out."

The Roos defense also finished the game in perfection with zero errors. Second baseman, Abby Sciara was huge for the Roos on the defensive side with many diving plays and put outs at second base.

Game No. Two v. Western Michigan [Final 8-0 in 5 innings]

Kansas City (2-0) dominated a short second game against the Western Michigan Broncos (1-1). A hit train in the top of the third gave the Roos a huge lead and they never looked back. The Roos had thirteen at-bats in the top of the third, ending with seven runs on seven hits and two errors. The additional run in the fourth inning came off a single from Lombardini who was later driven in on a sacrifice fly from Sciara. Five players finished with two hits or more; Katherine Karnatz, D'Ambrosio, Fenoglio, Lombardini, and Thorne.

"Cam Stickel threw a gem in her college debut," Coach Shaw said. "She was masterful in mixing and locating her pitches."

Freshman pitcher Camryn Stickel finished her first career start by giving up zero runs, zero walks, and just four hits. Cam and the defense were able to secure the run spread victory after the Roos' offense exploded in the third inning.

Kansas City is back in action tomorrow Feb. 13 with two more games in the DePaul Dome Tournament. The Roos take on DePaul at 9 a.m. and Valpo at 11:30 a.m.