Missouri blows out Kansas twice at Mo-Kan All-Star Softball Series
Missouri swept a doubleheader at the annual Mo-Kan All-Star Softball Series on Monday evening at Shawnee Mission School District Complex, as Lee’s Summit pitcher Emily Robinson set the tone in the top of the first inning.
After back-to-back singles from Olathe South’s Alyssa Bates and Blue Valley Northwest’s Alyvia Simmons. loading the bases with one out, Robinson struck out the next two batters to end the inning.
“I knew I had some players behind me,” said Robinson, who was selected MVP for the Missouri team. “They all had my back. I had to focus a little bit, but I knew they had my back.”
In the bottom of the first, Robinson proved she is also an all-star hitter, ripping a line-drive double to the left-center-field fence with two outs, knocking in the first run of the game.
Missouri went on to score 11 more runs in the first game, winning 12-3 in five innings.
The bats stayed hot for Missouri in the second game, as the team scored four runs in the first inning on the way to a 15-1 victory.
“That was awesome,” Robinson said after the first game. “I loved it. Those girls can hit. I am glad we were all together on the same team.”
Despite the loss in the series, Kansas still owns the series lead at 8-7.
In the first game, Missouri made sure Kansas knew it was the year of the “Show-Me State.”
Missouri put the first game away in the second inning, scoring six runs on five hits for a 7-0 lead. The big blow was a three-run double by Sydnie Harmon of Raymore-Peculiar. Robinson followed with an RBI single.
Kansas punched across two runs in the third, but Missouri quickly answered in the bottom of the inning with four runs. Lee’s Summit’s Bailey Baird socked a three-run triple in the inning as well.
Robinson was surprised the game was so one-sided.
“Kansas puts together some good plate appearances,” Robinson said. “I wasn’t expecting it to be like that.”
Missouri’s first four batters reached base in the second game, and a two-out, two-run triple by Reagen Osborn of Harrisonville gave Missouri a quick 4-0 lead.
And then Blue Springs’ Alexis Reid took the mound for Missouri, throwing heat, striking out the first two batters she faced.
Kansas did have one moment in the bottom of the second when Morgan Byrn of Lawrence homered over the center-field fence. The long ball seemed to upset Reid, who responded by striking out the next two hitters.
Reid didn’t give up another hit until a leadoff single by Kristina Jaderborg of Shawnee Mission Northwest in the fourth inning.
Reid finished the game in style. After Kansas loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth, Reid struck out the next three batters and ended the game. She finished with 11 strikeouts.
“It was a really great opportunity,” Reid said. “Most people don’t get to play in this game. It was great playing with girls who are going to other colleges for the last time.”
Bates was the last player to reach base against Reid with an infield single. Bates also made a great catch in center field in the top of the fifth. She was selected MVP of the Kansas team.
“I worked pretty hard to get here,” Bates said. “It is nice to be noticed for it. I appreciate it.”
Because of the outcome of the two games, Missouri players left the field all smiles.
“It is definitely a good memory to have,” Robinson said. “We get to come here one last time and play together.”
This story was originally published June 15, 2015 at 9:59 PM with the headline "Missouri blows out Kansas twice at Mo-Kan All-Star Softball Series."