Roos Fall to Ole Miss, Hawaii

Friday, February 9

Manoa, HI

7:30 PM

Kansas City

0-2

Ole Miss

2-1

Ole Miss

Kansas City

Photo by: Francie Wilson

Roos Fall to Ole Miss, Hawaii

2/10/2024 2:06:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Katie Noble and Lexy Smith led the team in hits with two each

Manoa, Hawaii - Kansas City Softball (0-4) made it to the scoreboard first for its third-consecutive game, but aggressive hitting from Ole Miss (2-1) proved too much, as the Roos fell 9-1. The Blue and Gold had a few chances to rally in the bottom of the second and fifth innings, but the Rebels were able to keep the momentum on their side. Three, three-run innings pushed Ole Miss to victory over Kansas City in six innings.

In their second matchup of the day, the Roos faced Hawaii (1-1) and struggled to get on the scoreboard, falling 5-0. Kadin Vire notched the first hit for Kansas City in the first inning. She advanced all the way to third base, but Hawaii forced three outs before she could cross home plate. The Rainbows launched themselves to an early lead earning two runs in the bottom of the third and a solo home run in the fourth. Kansas City struggled to get something going, earning just two hits in the game.

KEY MOMENTS | OLE MISS

Bottom 1 / 0-1| Abby Husak was at the top of the lineup for the Roos. She knocked a single to left field to open Kansas City's at bat. Ole Miss then struck out one Roo, but a single from Katie Noble pushed Husak into scoring position. Lexy Smith knocked the ball to right field for an out, but Husak made it to third and ran home on an error to give Kansas City a one-run lead.
Top 2 / 3-1| The Rebels loaded the bases with two outs and a double allowed them to bat in three runs. The Roos made a ground out to close the Ole Miss at-bat.
Bottom 2 / 3-1| At the bottom of the second inning, Kansas City looked to respond and loaded the bases. Singles from Sydney Nichols, Briona Woods and Chloe Kohnhorst —with just one out — gave the Roos a scoring opportunity. However, Ole Miss was able to force two outs, one at home plate and another at third base to close the inning. The Rebels responded in the top of the third hitting three home runs to extend their lead to five.
Top 4 / 6-1| From the circle, Sheridon Wilber forced a fly out followed by a ground out. The third batter for Ole Miss reached first after being hit by a pitch, but Wilber closed the Rebels' at-bat with a strikeout, forcing them to go without a hit in the fourth.
Bottom 5 / 6-1| Noble and Smith looked to create a rallying opportunity for the Roos with two outs in the fifth. Noble singled the ball to the right and on the next at-bat Smith singled one left, bumping the Blue and Gold into scoring position. Ole Miss once again got the out to close down KC's scoring chances.

KEY MOMENTS | HAWAII

Top 1 / 0-0 | Vire earned the Roos' first hit of the game to get things going. She singled one toward third base then found a window to make it to second on a passed ball putting the Roos in scoring position. Vire then stole third, but Hawaii closed the Kansas City at-bat with a ground out, consequently ending the scoring opportunity.
Top 3 / 0-0 | Kansas City saw its second scoring chance as Amelia Fitzgerald was walked to open the inning. Husak hit a fielder's choice and Fitzgerald was called out at second. On the next play, Vire reached first on a muffed throw and Husak advanced to third. However, Hawaii got the ground out and closed the Kansas City at-bat, once again the Roos scoreless.
Bottom 3 / 2-0 | The Rainbows came out firing in the bottom of the third. They notched three singles, scoring one earned run and another unearned. They kept energy up in the following innings bringing in three more runs.

STATS TO NOTE

During the first game, Husak notched her fourth hit of the tournament in just her seventh at-bat. From her hit, Husak earned the Roos' lone run of the day.
Kansas City opened the season on a three-game scoring streak, their longest scoring streak since April of 2023 in which the Roos made it to the scoreboard in six consecutive games.
Of the three pitchers who made appearances today, Stickel led the team in strikeouts, earning five strikeouts in six innings.
In opening weekend so far, two freshmen have earned their first collegiate hit. Vire notched hers yesterday against Nevada and picked up her second in the game against Hawaii. Kohnhorst earned her first collegiate hit in the first against Ole Miss. Last season Noble was the first freshman to earn a hit, notching her first collegiate hit Feb. 10, in the 6-1 win over Georgia State.

UP NEXT
Kansas City wraps up the tournament with two rematches against Nevada (2-2) and BYU (3-0). The Roos face the Wolf Pack at 2:30 p.m. and the Cougars at 5 p.m.