The Missouri Southern softball team will open up the 2020 season this weekend as the Lions travel to Oklahoma to partake in the Edmond Regional Festival I.
They will open the season Friday when they take on East Central at 12 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 8) in Oklahoma City before traveling to Edmond, Oklahoma to take on Southeastern Oklahoma State at 4 p.m. On Sunday (Feb. 9), the Lions will take on Cameron at 10 a.m. in Edmond, Okla. before their 2 p.m. game against the host, Oklahoma Christian, in Oklahoma City.
The Lions were picked ninth in the MIAA preseason softball coaches' poll. Southern is coming off a season that saw the Lions finish 19-25 overall and 10-16 in the MIAA.
The team returns a total of five starters from last year's team including two honorable mention MIAA players in senior second baseman Makaila Leonhart and sophomore shortstop Josie Tofpi.
Leonhart upon transferring from Crowder became one of the most consistent hitters for the Lions in the two spot of the lineup. She closed out her first season in the green and gold leading the team in slugging percentage (.522) in a starting role, total bases (70) and tied for first in walks (9), second in batting average (.343), on-base percentage (396), hits (46), runs scored (29), triples (3), and tied in at-bats (134) and doubles (9) as one of four players to start in every game.
Tofpi registered an outstanding freshman season, starting every single contest at shortstop for the Lions and finishing first on the team in batting average (.367), on-base percentage (.407), at-bats (139), hits (51), runs scored (31), triples (4), tied for walks (9), and in fielding assists (110) while taking second in total bases (68) and tied for doubles (9) while also end the year as one of four players to start in every game.
In total, the Lions return 11 position players, as well as four pitchers from last year's team. A group of five newcomers also return to the fold.
Scouting The Opposition
Saturday's game with East Central of the Great American Conference will be the third game of the season and weekend for the Tigers who finished last season 26-25 and made it to the GAC Tournament.
The Lions game with Southeast Oklahoma will also be the third of the weekend as the Savage Storm enter the weekend with a 2-2 record after their four games at the Arkansas Tech Invitational last weekend.
Lile SEOSU, Cameron State participated in the Arkansas Tech Invitational and came out with a 1-4 record. Their game against MSSU on Sunday will be the ninth game of their campaign.
Oklahoma Christian enters the weekend 4-1 after the participated in the Desert Stinger. They outscored their opponents 57-23 including a 12-0 win over Regis (Colo.).
Weather Outlook
Despite the winter weather that overtook a majority of the United States, it appears the weather will be good in Oklahoma and Edmond this weekend. Saturday is expected to be sunny with a high of 51 degrees while Sunday it is slated to be 60 degrees and partly cloudy. Wind will be an issue both days as gusts of wind will range from 8-18 miles per hour. Both days carry a 10 percent chance of rain.
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