Roos Qualify for Summit Quarterfinals with Win Over NDSU

Wednesday, May 8

Brookings, SD

1:30 PM

Kansas City

22-29

North Dakota State

17-37

North Dakota St.

Kansas City

Photo by: Dave Eggen/Inertia

Roos Qualify for Summit Quarterfinals with Win Over NDSU

5/8/2024 8:06:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Highlights

Kansas City Softball claims its first postseason win since 2021

BROOKINGS, SD — Kansas City Softball (22-29, 8-10) showed up ready to get the job done against North Dakota State (17-37, 4-14), making it first to the scoreboard and defeating the Bison 5-2. It was all hands on deck for the Roos with six players earning hits and Camryn Stickel notching five strikeouts from the circle. Elleana Navarro went 2-for-2 at the plate with two RBIs, she hit two singles and an RBI sacrifice fly. Katie Noble and Briona Woods brought in one run a piece, assisting the Blue and Gold in their three-run victory.

Today marked Stickel's 18^th complete game of the season. The Roos made it on the board early, documenting four runs in the first four innings of play and holding NDSU scoreless through the fourth. Summit League Freshman of the Year, Kadin Vire came up with a clutch play in the sixth to prevent another Bison scoring opportunity. Vire caught the runner looking to tag home on a throw from Lexy Smith and earned out number three to put Kansas City within three outs of a victory. The win over NDSU, marks Kansas City's first Summit League Conference Championship win since 2021 and the first post-season win over NDSU in program history.

KEY MOMENTS | HIGHLIGHTS

Bottom 2 / 1-0 | Kansas City loaded the bases with one out, thanks to two walks followed by a single from Navarro. Katie Noble once again showed off her discipline at the plate, earning an RBI and a walk from NDSU.
Bottom 3/ 4-0 | The Roos woke up the bats in the third. Smith and Woods recorded back-to-back doubles with one out. The double from Woods allowed Smith to score, adding a run for the Blue and Gold. Vire was then hit by a pitch, joining Woods on base. Navarro brought Woods home with a single and Vire scored on an error, putting the Roos up by four.
Bottom 5/ 5-2 | NDSU cut the Kansas City lead to two in the top of the fifth, but the Roos weren't looking to back down. A walk, bunt single and sacrifice from Vire moved two runners into scoring position. Navarro then launched a sacrifice fly to right field to bring in a run and made it to first on the error.
Top 6 / 5-2 | The Bison looked to get something going with two outs. They hit a double to put themselves in scoring position, and a single down the left field line gave them a rallying opportunity. Quick work from Lauren Parker and Smith allowed Vire to make a play at home. Vire caught the throw from Smith and tagged the NDSU runner in one fluid motion, closing the NSDU plate appearance and their rally attempt.

STATS TO NOTE

As of Tuesday, Stickel was tied for seventh in the nation for pitching appearances and ranked ninth in the nation for innings pitched. Her complete game today brings her to 194.0 innings this season and another complete game would put her over 200 innings this year. The Kansas City record for innings pitched in a single season is currently held by Deanna Friese who threw 242.1 innings during the 2011 season.
Navarro's two RBIs today bring her to 11 on the season. The win today was just her second multi-RBI performance of the year. She earned the first in the 10-5 victory over NDSU on April 28, bringing in two runs.
The Roos rank sixth in the Summit League for doubles, with 46 on the season after today. The back-to-back doubles in the fourth inning mark the tenth game this year where the Roos have hit multiple doubles. The Roos have a 7-3 record when they hit two or more doubles.
Noble's RBI walk to open scoring was her fourth of the season. She earned two RBI walks in the win over SIUE on March 13 and her third came in the 7-3 victory over Iowa State on March 20.

UP NEXT
The Roos take on #2 Omaha tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. in game four of the Summit League Conference Championship.