After a disappointing end to the Felsberg Invitational, ending 1-4, the Kansas City Roos looked to bounce back at the Evansville Tournament. 

  The Roos started the tournament losing 11-6 in an offensive showing against the hosts Evansville. They were hampered at the plate due to inconsistent batting, leaving nine players on base. Even though there wasn’t too much improvement from the Felsberg Tournament, Kansas City showed discipline, only striking out twice. 

  In a doubleheader against the University of Tennessee Martin, the Roos’ held on for their second and third wins of the young season. In the first game, they won 3-2 with a late score in the bottom of the sixth inning after a runner on-base advanced home when second baseman Katherine Karnatz was hit by a pitch. 

  The second game against the Skyhawks was just as close as their first faceoff. Sophomore catcher Amelia Fitzgerald sparked the Roos offense with a two-run double in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Roos went into the bottom of the seventh inning tied 7-7, but sophomore outfielder Kiki McCrea singled, sending freshman outfielder Lauren Parker to score and close out the game. 

  In the final match of the tournament, the Roos faced off against Evansville once again. Kansas City lost at the plate and on the field, only managing to get seven hits and leaving seven runners on base. Defensively, the Roos allowed nine hits and only struck out four. Evansville’s hot bats were too much for them to overcome and they lost 8-5. 

  Kansas City performed better this week, playing with poise and finding a groove late in the game. The top of the lineup continued to prove themselves, generating most of the offense. The pitching woes continue, with a lack of depth and a young pitching core.

  The Roos will travel to Arlington, Texas, to play in the 4th Boerner Invitational starting on March 3.

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