Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score

Kansas City- The UW-Parkside Softball team was able to create opportunities but couldn't push across the extra runs as the Rangers dropped a doubleheader to Division I-UMKC on Monday. Parkside put up identical line scores falling 6-3 in game one and 7-3 in game two. The Rangers had three runs, seven hits, and two errors in each game. Parkside fell to 6-14 overall while the Kangaroos improved to 17-10.

"We just made too many mistakes defensively," said Head Coach Laura Fillipp. "We gave them too many bases and just were not sharp. We pitched well enough to win but defense lost both games for us."

Parkside jumped out immediately in the first game scoring two runs in the opening inning. Christine Holthus homered as the second batter of the game to make it 1-0. It was Holthus' 2nd home run a trip in which she went 7-for-14.

"(Holthus) had a good trip," said Fillipp. "She a true triple threat at the plate. She's the kind of hitter that coaches love to talk about."

Kirsten Luevano followed with a double and one out later Nicki Eckstrom did the same to knock in a second run.

UMKC answered with two of their own in the bottom half against Jill Vondrak. GLVC Player of the Week, Krista Kelly gave the Rangers the lead back in the third on an RBI-single but that would be the last run the offense could push across.

UMKC used four hits and an error to push across three runs in the fourth and added an insurance run against Vondrak in the sixth. Parkside was able to put a runner in scoring position in the fourth, sixth, and seventh but couldn't get the big hit to close the gap.

Vondrak fell to 6-6 with the loss allowing five earned runs in the complete game. Holthus and Levano each had two hits. The Rangers stole four bases in the game.

Game two got off to a rocky start with UMKC again scoring two, first inning runs off Kristin Kleinmeyer. The Rangers however responded in the fourth with three runs to take the lead.

Kelly led off with a double to left and Lani Grogan reached on a hit-by-pitch. Kleinmeyer followed that with a single to load the bases with one out. After a strike out, Ashley Sullivan, Colleen Cummings, and Holthus came up with three straight run-scoring singles to give Parkside a 3-2 lead.

Unfortunately that was it for the offense as they were able to muster just one more hit the rest of the way. From there UMKC recaptured the lead with three in the fourth and tacked on two more in the fifth to provide the final margin.

Kleinmeyer fell to 0-4 with loss, allowing five earned runs in six innings. Cummings and Sullivan led the way offensively with two hits and an RBI.

"We didn't come with the same intensity we had yesterday against Rockhurst," said Fillipp. "The key for them is to understand when they bring that they can play with anybody. As soon as they start believing that we can be pretty good."

Parkside will return home for a doubleheader Thursday afternoon against nationally-ranked, Winona State University.  First pitch for game one is set for 3:00 p.m.