KANSAS CITY, Mo — Take a look around the University of Missouri - Kansas City dugout and you will see one of the closest groups in college softball.
"I can't be more proud of the sense of family with this group," Roos head coach Meredith Smith said. "We just spent seven days together on Spring break, and it's that closeness that has allowed me to be honest and open and coach in a real passionate way."
Smith's passion for coaching these talented young ladies has UMKC sporting a 21-15 record this season, celebrating a victory over Omaha this week.
The Roos made it 5-0 when Catherine Friloux came around to score on Sydney Garcia’s single, before Chyanne Onstad smacked the Roos’ second home run to score Garcia and push the lead to seven.
Finally, with one out in the fifth, Faith Willis put the game away when she drilled the final home run of the day to center to send the Roos to the 8-0 victory.
On the mound, Mia Hoveland started and tossed a hitless first two innings with three strikeouts, while D.J. Cannon (7-5) came on in relief and picked up the victory after going three innings, allowing one hit and three strikeouts.
The Blue and Gold return to Western Athletic Conference play on Friday when they open up a three-game series against California Baptist at 5 p.m. CT on April 5 at UYA. It's also a brand new challenge for the Roos.
With this being the first time the two programs have met, Smith sees it as a way to get ahead.
"I honestly always use it as an advantage," Smith said. "I think once we play each other over and over, we will start to recognize each others tendencies - right now, Cal Baptist has a clean slate. They are moving to a new division."
