Roos Fall in Two Closely Contested Games Against the Fighting Hawks

Friday, May 7

Grand Forks, ND

12:00 PM

Kansas City

25-23, 9-12

University of North Dakota

15-29, 7-12

Kansas City

North Dakota

Roos Fall in Two Closely Contested Games Against the Fighting Hawks

5/7/2021 4:44:00 PM | Softball

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

Hilbrenner shines with 5 hits, 6 stolen bases, 2 RBIs, 1 run, and a homerun on the day

Grand Forks, ND – Kansas City (25-24, 9-13) lost two closely contested games to North Dakota (16-29, 8-12) in day one of their final regular season series. They day was highlighted by a standout performance from Kloe Hilbrenner who finished the day with half of Kansas City's hits and moved into second in the nation in stolen bases this season with 42 total.

The Roos will return to the diamond tomorrow for their final regular season games before heading to the conference tournament. First pitch is scheduled for noon on Saturday, May 8^th in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Game 1- Kansas City 2, North Dakota 3
The first game of the series came down to capitalizing on opportunities. North Dakota was the first to seize their opportunity, getting their first run in the bottom of the third. Kansas City's Delainey Fenoglio answered right back with a two RBI blooper to right field that scored Faith Willis and Sydney McQuinn.

North Dakota continued to add base runners and answered with a run in the fourth to tie it up and a run in the fifth to take the lead. Kansas City had a lot of innings with opportunities but couldn't string any hits together with runners in scoring position. Ashley Thorne attempted to start a seventh inning rally with a leadoff hit in the final inning, but KC was quickly shutdown by North Dakota's ace.

The Roos proved to be aggressive on the base path, including four stolen bases, that put them in position to strike back. Hilbrenner led the offense with two hits and two stolen bases. Those successful steals moved Hilbrenner into third in the NCAA in total stolen bases this season with 38. Katherine Karnatz and Willis also added a hit and stolen base apiece in the game.

Mia Hoveland had another incredible showing in the circle despite the loss. She finished the game striking out eight North Dakota batters and only giving up three earned runs.

Game 2- Kansas City 2, North Dakota 3
Game two started with defensive greatness and a bomb by Hilbrenner that put Kansas City on the board first. The two-run homerun that brought home Karnatz was Hilbrenner's fourth hit of the day and her fourth homerun of the season. The junior finished the day with five hits, six stolen bases, two RBIs, and one run scored.

The home team came swinging back and returned a run in each the fourth and fifth inning to tie up the game once again. Kansas City had a chance to regain the lead in the sixth but left two runners in scoring position.

The game came down to the final frame, where UND walked it off on a solo homerun to sweep the first day. Despite the timely hit for the Fighting Hawks, Camryn Stickel threw another great game, putting the Roos in position to be successful. She finished the day with four strikeouts, only giving up three earned runs.