Roos Bested by Dominant South Dakota State

Saturday, April 6

Brookings, SD

11:00 AM

Kansas City

14-24, 0

South Dakota State

24-18, 0

Kansas City

South Dakota State

Photo by: Francie Wilson

Roos Bested by Dominant South Dakota State

4/6/2024 2:27:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Highlights

Kansas City jumped ahead early but could not keep up with an explosive SDSU

BROOKINGS, SD— It was a blustery game three between Kansas City (14-24, 3-6) and South Dakota State (24-18, 8-0) with the Jackrabbits harnessing the wind power and defeating the Roos 11-1 in five innings. Kansas City jumped ahead early, with an Abby Husak single brought in by Lexy Smith to give the Roos a one-run lead in the top of the first. The Jackrabbits, however, were not ready to go down without a fight, putting up three multi-run innings in the first, second, and fourth, to amass a ten-run lead.

The Roos struggled to find their stride in the circle, no thanks to the 30 mph winds, going without a strikeout in the matchup. On the offensive end, four Roos notched singles in the five innings of play. Smith led Kansas City on the defensive end, putting up two assists and two putouts in the loss.

KEY MOMENTS | HIGHLIGHTS

Top 1 / 0-1 | The Roos got to work immediately with a single from Husak to open the game. A walk pushed her into scoring position and Lexy Smith brought her home with a fielder's choice. Later in the inning, the Roos advanced runners to second and third, but could not get them home, closing their plate appearance with one run. South Dakota State responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning.
Top 3 / 7-1 | Kadin Vire knocked a single with just one out and was advanced to scoring position by a single from Smith. Tori Kniesche logged back-to-back strikeouts, cutting the Kansas City scoring drive short.
Top 4 / 7-1 | Espy Daniels earned the Roos' fourth hit of the day with just one out. The following play, the Jackrabbits picked off Daniels at second on a fielder's choice and then logged out number three with a strikeout. SDSU put up four runs in the bottom of the inning to extend their lead to ten, forcing a five-inning victory in the top of the fifth.

STATS TO NOTE

The Roos' four hits today tie North Dakota for the most hits earned against Kniesche during conference play. The Roos notched seven hits against Kniesche this weekend, who before today averaged 3.2 hits per game.
Today's game was the first since Feb. 10, against Nevada that the Roos have gone without a strikeout. On average, Kansas City pitchers throw 3.7 strikeouts per game. Camryn Stickel earned the season-high 14 strikeouts on Feb. 23, in the 4-3 victory over Prairie View A&M.
Kansas City earned four runs across the three games this weekend, notching at least one run in every game. This weekend's series marks the first since 2021, in which SDSU has gone without a shutout win over Kansas City.

UP NEXT
Kansas City returns home for its final home matchup of the season. The Roos face Missouri State (9-23) in a midweek battle, Tuesday at 5 p.m.