Softball wins in comeback fashion Friday

Friday, March 23

Kansas City, MO

5 p.m.

South Dakota State University

17-9

UMKC

7-19

South Dakota State

UMKC

Photo by: Laura Mullen

3/23/2018 7:03:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

KANSAS CITY – South Dakota State softball shook off a slow start and rallied in the seventh to pull out a 6-4 win in its series-opener at UMKC Friday.

The Jackrabbits improved to 17-9 on the season and have won three straight.

Madison Hope (10-3) earned the win, scattering seven hits and three walks while allowing four runs. Hope struck out four in the game.

Abbie Murphy and Julia Andersen each went 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Jackrabbits, while Megan Rushing blasted her first home run of the season as Ali Herdliska and Erin Mullen drove in runs of their own.

SDSU fell behind 2-0 through the opening two frames after UMKC scored a run in each before Rushing's solo shot cut the deficit in half (2-1) in the third.

The Jackrabbits tied it in the fourth but saw the 'Roos answer with a run of their own in the inning. The top of the third started with a Andersen single before she stole second in the ensuing at-bat. Later in the inning, Andersen took third on a one-out ground ball and dashed home when Mullen followed with a single to right.

UMKC added another in the sixth to go up 4-2, and down to their last chance the Jackrabbits struck back with a four-spot to set up the comeback win.

Lyndsey Crist started the inning with a single, and after Janssen reached on an error both runners moved up 60 feet as Rushing laid down a sacrifice bunt. Another UMKC error allowed Crist to come home as Yanney Ponce reached safely before Abbey Murphy and Andersen followed with back-to-back singles to put SDSU on top for the first time, 5-4.

Ali Herdliska pushed the final run across with a ground ball to put the Jacks ahead 6-4, and holding the momentum for the first time on the day State finished off the 'Roos without further damage.

Up Next
The series at UMKC continues with a Saturday doubleheader at 2 p.m. Game two will follow at approximately 4 p.m.

-GoJacks.com-