Roos Win Series Over North Dakota, Clinch Third Seed at Championships

Saturday, May 4

Grand Forks, ND

1:00 PM

Kansas City

20-28, 7-9

North Dakota

13-40, 5-11

Kansas City

North Dakota

Photo by: Ryan Weaver Photography

Roos Win Series Over North Dakota, Clinch Third Seed at Championships

5/4/2024 6:44:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Kansas City Softball earns best conference finish since 2021

GRAND FORKS, ND — A strong game two helped Kansas City Softball (21-29, 8-10) lock down a series win over North Dakota (14-41, 6-12) and a three seed entering the conference championships. The Roos dropped the first matchup of the day to the Fighting Hawks but played a strong second game to secure the win.

Lauren Parker led the Blue and Gold at the plate today, notching three hits across the two games. Abby Husak was another driving force for Kansas City, earning two RBIs in the second matchup propelling the Roos to victory. Katie Noble threw her fourth complete game of the season in game two, allowing just five hits and earning two strikeouts. It was an all-around team effort to bring home the series, with the Roos out-hitting the Fighting Hawks in both games and 15-to-8 on the day. Today's win marks the highest finish for the Roos in the Kiki Stokes O'Connor era and a four-win improvement from last year's conference record.

KEY MOMENTS | GAME ONE

Bottom 2 / 0-0 | Stickel went three up, three down for the second consecutive inning. She closed the Fighting Hawks plate appearance with her first strikeout of the day.
Top 4 / 0-0 | Lexy Smith opened the inning with a single to center field, she was pushed into scoring position with a Briona Woods walk, but Kansas City could not find a scoring window. Smith was caught at third and North Dakota retired the next two batters to end KC's first scoring opportunity. The Fighting Hawks made their own scoring attempt in the bottom of the inning, bringing in two runs.
Top 6 / 1-2 | A walk to open the inning gave the Blue and Gold a chance to rally. Lexy Smith moved Taylor Kvale into scoring position with a ground out and a hit from Woods was enough to bring Kvale home. The Roos cut North Dakota's lead in half but could not tie the game.
Top 7 / 1-2 | With the game on the line, Derika Castillo singled down the right field line to open the inning. Gianna Lickel was placed on first as a pinch runner, but the Fighting Hawks retired the batter and caught Lickel at second. They notched out number three, stifling Kansas City's attempt to rally.

KEY MOMENTS | GAME TWO

Top 3 / 1-2 | North Dakota made it first on the scoreboard for the second straight matchup, but the Roos were not ready to back down without a fight. Kadin Vire got things going with a double to right field with just one out. She then stole third and was brought home by a Husak single sent to the shortstop. The Roos loaded the bases with a single from Taylor Kvale followed by a walk, but North Dakota earned out number three before KC could make a move.
Top 4 / 4-2 | Sydney Nichols kept the energy rolling, with a single to open the inning. Chloe Kohnhorst entered the matchup as a pinch hitter, launching one to right field and moving Nichols into scoring position. Parker then singled allowing Nichols to score. Parker then advanced to second on an error and Kohnhorst scored, to give Kansas City its first lead of the day.
Bottom 7 / 4-2 | Katie Noble went three up, three down for the third inning of the game, allowing Kansas City to lock down the win and the series victory.

STATS TO NOTE

Kansas City's win today secured their highest finish in the Summit League since 2021 when the Blue and Gold also finished fourth in the league. The Roos enter the conference championships as a three-seed due to St. Thomas' ineligibility this year, which is their highest seed in the Summit since 2011 when Kansas City was the number one seed.
Today's win marks Kansas City's third series victory of the year. The Roos also defeated South Dakota and North Dakota State.
As of Thursday, Camryn Stickel is tied for 12^th in the NCAA for innings pitched. She threw a complete game yesterday and another six innings today including four strikeouts.
Parker extended her reached-base streak to 12 with a single in the first game of the day and an RBI and two singles in the second game. She holds the longest current streak on the team and ranks fourth overall. Briona Woods holds first place from a 14-game reached base streak earlier this season.
Katie Noble threw her fourth complete game of the season and second complete game of conference play. Her win in game two moves her to an 8-7 record in the circle this season.

UP NEXT
The Roos are set to face No. 6 North Dakota State (17-36, 4-14) in the first round of the conference tournament. Kansas City and NDSU face off on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in Brookings, S.D.