NORMAN, Okla. – The Kansas City Roos scored five unanswered runs to beat the East Texas A&M University softball team on Sunday afternoon by a score of 5-4 at Marita Hynes Field.
 
The Lions have two more games before the start of conference play and are now 4-16 on the season, while Kansas City is 2-12.
 
Emma Rodrigues (Little Elm – John Paul II) drew a four-pitch walk to lead off the game and then stole second. Maddie Cason (Honey Grove) reached on a bunt single and stole second as well. Charli Anger (Lubbock – Cooper) brought everyone home on a three-run home run to straight center, her third of the season.  
 
With an out in the third, Anger drilled a double to left center and Tatum Wright (Frisco – Centennial) followed with an opposite field double to right center, plating Anger. The Lions had runners at the corners with one out in the inning, but the Roos escaped the inning with a double play.
 
Grace Batdorf singled through the right side to lead off the bottom of the third, followed by a walk from Taylor Kvale. After a flyout to center, Gianna Lickel reached on a bunt single to load the bases with one out. Briona Woods drew a bases loaded walk to bring home Batdorf, which was the first run in the game for the Roos.
 
Derika Castillo brought home Kvale on a sacrifice fly to center. With runners at second and third, a line out to deep right field on the warning track helped the Lions end the inning.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, Chloe Kohnhurst singled through the left side to lead off the inning. After a line out, Batdorf hammered a two-run home run to left center and tied the game.
 
Castillo singled to left center and advanced to second on a wild pitch in the fifth. After back-to-back walks from Elleana Navarro and Kohnhorst to load the bases, Batdorf plated Ava Martinez, who came in as a pinch runner for Castillo, with an RBI base hit to the pitcher and put Kansas City in front.
 
The Lions got out of the inning with an infield lineout and a fielder's choice groundout with the bases loaded. East Texas A&M left six runners on base in the game, including the game-tying run at second with an out in the seventh.
 
Julia Sanchez (The Kinkaid School) was charged with four earned runs in 3.2 innings, starting the game for the Lions, while Maddie Muller (Frisco – Memorial) allowed one earned run in 2.1 innings, but got the loss.
 
Kendyl Anderson started the game for the Roos and allowed four earned runs in 2.1 innings, while Maddie Parker got the win, tossing 3.2 shutout innings, and Riley Bebb came in for the save in the seventh.
 
Offensively for the Lions, Anger went 3 for 4 in the game with two runs scored and three RBIs. Lickel went 3 for 4 for the Roos and Batdorf went 3 for 3 with three RBIs.
 
UP NEXT
The Lions host Sam Houston for a doubleheader on Tuesday at 3 p.m. before beginning conference play next weekend. Tickets can be purchased at LionAthletics.com/tickets.