LAWRENCE, Kan.- The Leathernecks fell to Kansas, 8-0, and UMKC, 7-6, in the first day (March 15) of the Rock Chalk Challenge. Western Illinois took the Roos to nine innings, but were edged after a two-run homerun in the top of the ninth.
 
GAME ONE
 
After a scoreless first inning, Kansas took the lead in the second frame after the Jayhawks singled up the middle with two runners on base. The second Kansas run came in the same inning, after an obstruction call at the plate went against catcher Meghan Henson.
 
The Jayhawks were able to load the bases in the third inning, but only managed one run to extend the lead to 3-0.
 
With one out in the fifth inning, Halle Hollatz recorded her fourth double of the season on a ball she launched off the right field wall. The Leathernecks threatened in the fifth frame after Rachel Beatty beat out an infield single to advance the runner, but Western left two runners on.
 
The Leathernecks left a pair of base runners on base for the third time of the afternoon in the sixth inning. With one out, Kelsey Marlow walked, and was advanced by a Hailey Duwa single. Ashley Minyard hit the ball hard to first with two outs, but the Jayhawks made a diving play to end the inning.
 
Kansas scored four runs in the sixth inning to win, 8-0. Duwa finished as the only Leatherneck with two or more hits, as she recorded two singles.
 
GAME TWO
 
The Leathernecks' bats heated up in the second game of the day after the Leathernecks recorded two hits, plus two hard hit outs, in the first frame. Western Illinois scored the first run of the game when the UMKC catcher overthrew the second baseman trying to throw out Marlow. The Purple and Gold plated a second run in the inning after Minyard lined a ball between the first and second baseman.
 
UMKC tied the game in the third inning after a Leatherneck wild pitch with a runner on third base. During the ensuing at-bat, the Roos lined a ball through the left side to score become even with WIU.
 
With two outs and the bases loaded for the Leathernecks in the fourth inning, Jasmine Lara broke the tie with her fifth double of the season, which scored all three base runners to give WIU the 5-2 advantage.
 
In the top of the sixth with two outs, the bases loaded for the Roos, and down 3-1 in the count, Abby Carlin threw two strikes to end the inning.
 
The Roos did not go away easy in the contest, plating three runs in the seventh inning to tie the game. UMKC were close to scoring in the eighth inning by putting two runners on base, but the Leathernecks got out of the jam without surrendering any runs.
 
With two outs in the ninth inning, UMKC's hit a two-run homerun to go up 7-5. The Leathernecks proved to be pesky, loading the bases in the ninth inning. Lara led off the inning with a single, while Abbott reached on an error and Duwa walked. A UMKC wild pitch allowed the Leathernecks to score a run, but Hollatz flied out to end the contest.
 
Western Illinois continues play against University of Northern Colorado at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow (March 15) and at 2 p.m. against Saint Louis.