MSSU softball to open MIAA play against Central Missouri

(From Missouri Southern Sports)

The Missouri Southern softball program is set to begin MIAA play against Central Missouri and Lincoln this weekend.

The Lions (14-5) will begin the weekend with the Jennies (12-5) at the South Recreation Complex at 2:00pm and 4:00pm on Friday in Warrensburg, Mo. before wrapping up the weekend in Jefferson City on Sunday at 2:00pm and 4:00pm at Vogel Field against Lincoln (3-11). The double header against the Blue Tigers were originally scheduled for Saturday but due to rain accumulation at Vogel field it has been pushed back a day.

As a team Southern is hitting .315 with 32 doubles and 22 home runs while averaging 8.7 hits and 6.9 runs per game, as a pitching staff has a 3.24 ERA with opponents hitting .266 against them and 5.0 strikeouts per game. Individually the Lions have five hitters that meet the requirements of two plate appearances a game and playing in 75% of total games this season with Leighton Withers leading the way with a .517 average, 31 hits, seven home runs, 30 RBIs with a .983 slugging percentage and .605 on-base percentage. Emily Perry is hitting .392 with 20 hits, 18 runs scored, five doubles, two home runs, 11 RBIs for a .608 slugging and .492 on-base percentage. Abby DeSanto is hitting .314 with three home runs for 14 RBIs, to slug .600 with a .442 on-base percentage, Ashlynn Williams is hitting .313 with 20 hits, 12 runs scored, six doubles, two home runs, 12 RBIs while slugging .500. Kate Thurman rounds out the hitters meeting requirements batting .308 with 12 hits and 12 RBIs. Yazmin Vargas is hitting .471 with 19 runs scored from 16 hits, seven walks, and is 14-for-14 in stolen bases.

In the circle Avery Tallman is 9-1 with a 1.80 ERA from 12 appearances for 54.1 innings, 33 strikeouts and opponents hitting .228 against her. Bailey Lacy is 3-0 with a 3.84 ERA in 11 appearances with 27.1 innings, 21 strikeouts and opponents hitting .271 against her. Natalie Bates is 1-2 with a 4.09 ERA in eight appearances with 25.2 innings and has struck out 26 with only nine walks issued. Kara Amos is 1-2 in nine appearances with 18.0 innings, 15 strikeouts and opponents hitting .296 against her.

UCM as a team is hitting .307 with 23 doubles and eight home runs while averaging 8.4 hits and 5.9 runs per game, as a pitching staff has a 2.86 ERA with opponents hitting .246 against them and throwing 6.2 strikeouts per game. Individually the Jennies have five hitters that meet the requirements of two plate appearances a game and playing in 75% of total games this season with Makenzie McAtee leading the way with a .419 average, 14 runs scored, 18 hits, Abbey Fischer is hitting .382 with 16 runs from 21 hits, four triples, Abby Allnutt is hitting .364 with 12 hits, Ashlyn Cook is hitting .360 with 11 runs, 18 hits, six doubles, 17 RBIs and is 5-for-6 for stolen bases, MaKenzie Cooper is hitting .346 with nine hits. Lexi Blackmon is hitting .265 and is 10-for-14 for stolen bases.

In the circle Paige Petefish has a 3-1 record from seven appearances with a 3.21 ERA in 32.2 innings for 37 strikeouts and only three walks with hitters averaging .242 against her. Andi Siebeneck is 3-2 with a 1.86 ERA in seven appearances 26.1 innings for 27 strikeouts to only three walks and opponents hitting .210 against her. Kaylee Diggs is 3-1 with a 2.17 ERA in six appearances for 19.1 innings and nine strikeouts with opponents hitting .240 against her.

The Blue Tigers as a team are hitting .232 with 11 doubles and three home runs while averaging 5.7 hits and 2.7 runs per game, as a pitching staff they have a 6.75 ERA with opponents hitting .311 against them and throwing 2.9 strikeouts per game. 

Individually Lincoln has four hitters that meet the requirements of two plate appearances a game and playing in 75% of total games this season with Leah Wagner leading the way with a .333 average from nine hits with five RBIs, Emma Rakes is hitting .321 with nine hits, Qwynn Marques is hitting .321 with nine hits and Leslie Callahan is hitting .303 with 10 hits and a home runs while swiping six bags.

In the circle Ashton Stalling has a 8.14 ERA and 1-4 record from six appearances for 26.2 innings and 10 strikeouts to 15 walks. Jordan Galliher has a 3.16 ERA and 1-2 record from four appearances for 24.1 innings and 13 strikeouts with opponents hitting .227 against her. Joss Marriott has a 8.17 ERA and 1-1 record from five appearances for 18.0 innings with nine strikeouts and 12 walks.