Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern softball program will play host to Northeastern State and #22 Rogers State, Friday and Saturday April 9
th and 10
th at the Pat Lipira Softball Complex.
Southern (15-11, 6-4 MIAA) is coming off a 5-1 week on the road sweeping William Jewell and Nebraska – Kearney before splitting against Fort Hays State.
As a team the Lions rank first in the MIAA in stolen bases per game (1.92), stolen bases (51) and triples (8). On the defensive side of things, Southern ranks second in double plays turned with 11 and are fifth in scoring average per game 5.12 in the MIAA, while having five batters hitting at least .300. Nationally ranked seventh in double plays turned and are 19
th for stolen bases.
Josie Tofpi leads the team with a .405 batting average (5
th in MIAA), 32 hits (7
th in MIAA), 21 runs (9
th in MIAA), .646 slugging percentage, .472 on base percentage (8
thin MIAA) and 21 RBIs (9
th in MIAA) while hitting three home runs.
Yazmin Vargas leads the MIAA and is 21
st nationally in stolen bases (16) and leads the MIAA in stolen bases per game (0.64) and leads Lion outfielders with 58 putouts and two assists.
Ashlynn Williams has four home runs to lead the Lions and has 20 RBIs.
Makaila Leonhart and
Adrianna Young each have seven stolen bases and are tied for 12
th in the MIAA.
In the circle,
Abby Atkin leads the MIAA and ranks 15
th nationally with 18 appearances, going 7-5 with a 2.40 ERA (8
th in MIAA). Atkin in 67 innings of work this season has struck out 29 batters and limiting opposing batters to a .279 batting average.
Bailey Lacy is 4-1 with a 3.57 ERA in ten appearances, pitching 35.1 innings while striking out 29 and limiting opposing batters to a .281 batting average.
Kara Amos is 4-4 with a 3.55 ERA in 12 appearances pitching 45.1 innings and striking out 35 while limiting opposing batters to a .278 batting average.
Northeastern State (19-11, 7-5 MIAA) is led by Rhomie Bradshaw with a .391 batting average, 43 hits, to go with eight home runs and 24 RBIs and has 14 stolen bases. Alyssia Crick has a .351 batting average with ten home runs and 30 RBIs.
In the circle for the RiverHawks, Gail Young is 13-4 with a 3.09 ERA in 17 appearances pitching 108.2 innings striking out 92 batters limiting opposing batters to a .273 batting average. Jeanna Chassie is 4-5 with a 2.82 ERA in 14 appearances pitching 59.2 innings and striking out 48 batters while limiting them to a .244 batting average.
Rogers State (18-10, 7-5 MIAA) has six batters hitting .300 or better and are led by Abigal Taylor with a .357 batting average. Elexis Watson has a .342 batting average, .724 slugging percentage, eight home runs and 28 RBIs. Danelle Day with a .329 batting average, five home runs and 22 RBIs.
In the circle for the Hillcats, reigning MIAA Pitcher of the Week Andrea Morales is 10-4 with a 1.66 ERA in 14 appearances this season. Morales has 12 complete games and seven shutouts in 88.2 innings of work, striking out 113 and limiting opposing batters to a .202 batting average. M'Kayla Hillman is 6-3 with a 1.81 ERA in 13 appearances, 65.2 innings striking out 61 and limiting opposing batters to a .206 batting average.
First pitch against the RiverHawks is set for 2 pm Friday, and against the Hillcats first pitch is set for 12 pm Saturday with the second games set to begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.
