The UMKC softball team closed out the 2016 regular season with a 4-1 win over IUPUI on Senior Day at Missouri 3&2 Field in Kansas City on Saturday, May 7.
The ‘Roos (24-24) fired the opening salvo thanks to a throwing error from IUPUI (17-33) in the second inning, with senior Alexandra Friloux (2-for-3) crossing the plate for the first run of the ballgame. Sophomore Kendra Leach (1-for-3) followed the error up with an RBI on a groundout to give the ‘Roos a 2-0 lead.
The Jaguars answered back with a solo home run off senior Katie Kelley (9-13) in the top of the third, but an RBI single from sophomore Kelsey Goodwin (1-for-2) in the bottom half of the frame stretched the UMKC lead back to two runs, 3-1.
After the IUPUI home run, Kelley buckled down in the circle and allowed just five baserunners the remainder of the game, none of them making it past second base, and striking out seven total batters in the contest. Redshirt freshman Rachel Pate (2-for-3) gave Kelley and the ‘Roos an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning with a one-out RBI single up the middle, scoring Goodwin, who led off the inning with a walk. The ‘Roos would hold on to the 4-1 lead to finish the regular season with the series victory over the Jaguars.
UMKC opens the Western Athletic Conference tournament in Seattle, Washington on Thursday, May 12 against CSU Bakersfield. The matchup is scheduled for 1 p.m. PST, 3 p.m. CST, and will be broadcast live on the WAC Digital Network via WACSports.com.