MACOMB, Ill. - Back in Mary Ellen McKee stadium less than 48 hours after its previous appearance, Western Illinois softball (16-27, 6-12) welcomed Kansas City (22-18, 6-8) on Saturday (April 24) for a continuation of Summit League play. The Roos finished day one of the weekend series with a doubleheader sweep.
 

Game One

Kansas City 2, WIU 1

Heavy defensive play from both squads early on eventually led to WIU striking blood first late in the third inning. With Meghan Henson on second base, Sydney Hollings ran in her fellow fifth-year on an RBI double to left field. Hollings' hit was Western's first of the day.

Zero score changes carried on until the top of the sixth. Kansas City first reached third base on a double and wild pitch. The Roos then homered past the left-field wall for two runs and their first lead of the contest.

Trying its hardest to regain the advantage, Western gave a notable seventh inning push - highlighted by its underclassmen. Abrianna Gracia completed a leadoff single to start. Pinch-runner Torince Muczynski advanced to second not long afterward on Gabriela Drager's infield single. Jorja Hudson also reached first on a fielder's choice. However, she and Drager would be left stranded, as KC caused two more punch-outs and wrapped up game one.

Abby Carlin (7-13) again spent all seven innings in the circle, striking out four batters. Hollings' produced WIU's sole RBI.
 

Game Two

Kansas City 6, WIU 2

The Roos found a quick rhythm in part two of the doubleheader, tallying three runs in two innings. Three insurance runs were added during the third, along with four hits.

Down 6-0, Western kept its head to find a better rhythm in its batting game. In her second at-bat, Savannah Rodriguez sent home a solo homer in the third's bottom half. It was her eighth of the season, and she maintains her spot at second-highest on the team in dingers.

Not allowing any further runs for KC, WIU made things interesting when it shifted from defense to offense in the seventh. A walk and two singles loaded up the bases. Bella Alvarez ran to home plate on Rodriguez's two-out RBI, cutting the lead to 6-2. Nonetheless, that would be the closest the Leathernecks would get before a final ground out secured a finish on Saturday.

Gracia, Piper Foote, and Ami Ill all contributed two hits. Rodriguez's two RBI tied for a game-high.

Senior day is tomorrow for the Leathernecks. A group of four - Hollings, Henson, Alyssa Ealy, and Ashley Minyard - will be celebrated ahead of game one's 11 a.m. start time.