KANSAS CITY, Mo. – CSU Bakersfield's softball team fell in both games of a Western Athletic Conference doubleheader on Friday. The Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroos claimed the pair of games by scores of 6-1 and 10-3 at the Missouri 3&2 Softball Complex.

Game 1

UMKC loaded the bases in the top of the third inning with just one out. Kendra Leach hit a two-run double to left field to put the Kangaroos ahead 2-0. A two-out error helped the 'Roos put three unearned runs on the board as UMKC pulled ahead 5-0 thanks to the big inning.

Briana Pontecorvo walked with one out in the top of the fourth and a heady play helped the senior first baseman advance two bases on a wild pitch. Kaylynn Burt's two-out, RBI single plated Pontecorvo and cut the score to 5-1.

Freshman Alyssa Stockton came on to relieve CSUB's starter, Amber Mills, to start the fourth inning. A bases-loaded walk by Leach plated another run for UMKC as the 'Roos took a 6-1 lead. After her first inning in relief, Stockton pitched well, allowing just one baserunner in each of the final two innings of the game.

The Roadrunners started a two-out rally in the top of the seventh when Alex Simmons drew a walk. Sydney Raeber and Chris Hipa recorded back-to-back singles, but CSUB was unable to convert on the opportunity and fell by a final score of 6-1.

Hipa went 2-for-4 in the game while Burt was one of five 'Runners to record a base hit in the game and had CSUB's only RBI. Pontecorvo scored the only run while going 0-for-1 with two walks in the game. Simmons stole her 11th base of the season, bringing the senior shortstop within one steal of tying the CSUB Division I single-season record.

Mills took the loss as CSUB fell to 10-23 (2-2 WAC) on the season. Stockton and Mills both pitched 3.0 innings while the freshman was more effective, allowing one run off of two hits and two walks. UMKC's Amber Groves fought off trouble while allowing six hits and five walks in the complete-game victory. The Kangaroos improved to 11-17 (3-1 WAC) on the year with the win.

Game 2

UMKC used its second big inning of the day to take an early lead on the 'Runners in the bottom of the first. The 'Roos used four hits and two walks to plate six runs while knocking starter Lyndsay Klimenko out of the game. Stockton came on to relieve for the second straight game and got the 'Runners out of trouble in the first.

CSUB put two runs on the board in the top of the fourth inning. With Amber Mills on base, Pontecorvo's first collegiate triple gave CSUB its first run of the game. Freshman Nadia Amezcua followed that up with an RBI double to cut the score to 6-2.

UMKC starting pitcher Katie Kelley helped her own cause with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth. The base hit scored Alex Gale and helped the Kangaroos take a 7-2 lead. An error allowed UMKC to score two more runs, but the 'Runners kept the deficit to just seven runs after the bases were loaded again.

Raeber's second double of the game plated Simmons in the top of the fifth as CSUB made the score 9-3. A solo home run by Bri Sims in the bottom of the sixth would put the 'Roos up 10-3 and UMKC held on for the win.

Raeber went 2-for-3 in the game with a walk to go along with her pair of doubles while Simmons added a pair of hits as well. Klimenko took the loss after pitching just two thirds of an inning. Stockton relieved well for the second straight game, allowing just two earned runs over 5.1 innings while striking out three 'Roos. UMKC's Kelley earned the complete-game victory to help her squad improve to 12-17 (4-1 WAC).

The Roadrunners (10-24, 2-3 WAC) will return to the Missouri 3&2 Softball Complex on Saturday for the final game of the WAC series. First pitch on Saturday is set for 12 p.m. (CT) in Kansas City.

~GoRunners.com~