FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. -- Paced by the strong performance of pitcher Katie Kelley, UMKC powered past Butler, 9-3, at the 2014 Arkansas Invitational on Sunday, Feb. 16.  It was Butler's second consecutive loss to the Kangaroos and dropped the Bulldogs to 2-6 on the season.

Kelley pitched a complete game, allowing three runs on six hits through six innings.  The game was called after six innings to accommodate Butler's travel from Fayetteville, Ark.

The sophomore right-hander also paced the UMKC offense with a pair of home runs and four runs batted in.  She slugged a three-run home run in the top of the third inning to put the Kangaroos in front for good, 5-2, and then she added a solo home run to lead off  the fifth inning.

Butler grabbed a 2-1 lead in the first inning on a bases-loaded single by junior Maria Leichty.  Sophomore Alex Kotter provided Butler's final run with a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning.  Chelsea Norwood, Allie Tarrant, Kristen Boros and Cassie Rupel each added a single to Butler's attack in the game.

The Kangaroos (5-4) tagged three Butler pitchers for 10 hits in the contest.  Butler starter Kristin Gutierrez suffered the loss and fell to 1-2 on the season.

The Bulldogs will continue early season tournament play at the Frost Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn., Feb. 21-23.