April 28, 2005

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The UMKC softball team found itself on the short end of a 4-0 shutout at the hands of Southwest Missouri State at the SMS Softball Field Thursday (April 28).

The Kangaroos, now 8-41, got only three hits off two SMS pitchers in suffering their fourth straight whitewash.

SMS (19-22-1) got the only run it would need in the second inning as pinch runner Patricia Holiway scored on an error by freshman shortstop Kim Hoiting. The Bears would add three more runs in the fifth inning, with the big hit coming off the bat of Samantha Fleeman, who pounded out a two-run double.

Those runs were enough for SMS's Shannon Buslepp, who allowed just one hit in four innings to earn the victory. Melissa Porche came on in relief and allowed two hits in three innings to gain a save. Freshman Jessica Heimann went the distance for the Kangaroos, allowing 10 hits and striking out five batters in absorbing her 13th loss of the campaign.

Hoiting and junior catcher Eryn Knecht each had a double for UMKC, while designated player Liz Stohs collected the other UMKC hit.

The Kangaroos return to Adair Park for their regular season home finale on Saturday (April 30), a non-conference doubleheader against North Dakota State. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. CDT. It will be Senior Day as third baseman Jaime McGrath and first baseman/pitcher Veronica Weaver will be honored.