FARGO, N.D. – The Mavericks escaped with a 2-1 win over No. 4 Kansas City to advance to the Summit League Championship set for Saturday, May 15 at 1 p.m.
Izzy Eltze singled in the top of the seventh to plate
Lexi Burkhardt for the winning run.
Omaha will play No. 1 South Dakota State for the Championship Saturday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. A second game will follow at approximately 3 p.m. if needed.
With the win, the Mavericks improve to 20-26 overall.
How It Happened
- Lexi Burkhardt didn't take long to give Omaha an early edge over Kansas City. In the top of the second, the junior outfielder hit a solo homer to center field to put Omaha up 1-0.
- The Roos sent a runner home in both the second and third, but Sydney Ross would land the tag both times to end the inning and hold UMKC scoreless.
- Kansas City broke its scoreless streak in the bottom of the fourth. Lombardini used a one-out single to left center to get on base for the Roos. She tied the game scoring on a single to right field from Fenoglio. UMKC had two in scoring position, but Thorne hit a grounder back to Kamryn Meyer in the circle to end the inning tied 1-1.
- Burkhardt led off the seventh with a double to right center giving Omaha an early base runner. Burkhardt went on to score the game winning run on a single through the left side from Izzy Eltze.
- The Mavericks retired three straight in the bottom to win 2-1 and advance to the Summit League Championship.
Inside the Box Score
- The win vs. UMKC advances Omaha to its first championship game appearance in program history.
- Burkhardt finished 2-for-2. Both hits were multi-base hits, and she scored both Omaha runs.
- Eltze went 2-for-4, while Lynsey Tucker added the final Omaha hit.
- Meyer made the start in the circle. She retired three batters over four innings of work.
- Sydney Hampton came in for relief and pitched the final three. She had one strikeout and improves to 6-11 on the year with the win.
On Deck
Omaha will play in the championship game Saturday, May 14. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. The Mavericks will play No. 1 South Dakota State for the Championship. A second game will be played following the conclusion of the first if needed for double elimination.