Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern softball program hits the road to resume MIAA play this weekend playing Northeastern State tomorrow and #4 Rogers State on Saturday.
Southern begins the week tomorrow against Northeastern State at 2:00pm and 4:00pm approximately at the RiverHawks Park before wrapping up the week with #4 Rogers State on Saturday at 12:00pm and 2:00pmapproximately at the Diamond Sports Complex.
The Lions (15-12, 3-1 MIAA) are led by Yazmin Vargas with a .403 batting average with 27 runs scores, 31 hits with three triples, has drawn nine walks and stolen 13 bases so far this season. Kara Amos owns a .378 batting average with 31 hits, 13 being doubles and has 17 RBIs. Ashlynn Williams hits .377 with 29 hits, 12 being extra base hits to slug .636 and has a team-high 150 putouts. Leighton Withers has a .352 batting average with 25 hits, eight doubles and a team-high four home runs and 26 RBIs, Josie Tofpi is hitting .348 with 24 hits with five being triples and has a team-high 48 assists. In the circle Bailey Lacy spots a 2.33 ERA in 16 appearances with a 7-4 record in 69 innings of work and has struck out 63 batters. Amos has a 3.30 ERA in 17 appearances with 76.1 innings while limiting opposing batters to a .260 batting average while striking out 53. Avery Tallman has made 10 appearances this season pitching in 25.2 innings where she has issued out only two walks and struck out 13 batters.
Northeastern State (12-15, 0-2 MIAA) was picked to finish seventh in the MIAA Coaches Preseason Poll and are led by Jaeden Rosenquist with a .358 batting average with 24 hits and has 32 putouts and assists. Sydney Balderrama is hitting .333 with 27 hits with four doubles and four home runs. Alyssia Crick sports a .321 average with 17 runs scored and 17 hits while drawing a team-high 19 walks for a .500 on base percentage. Addy Wolfe is hitting .312 with 24 hits with four home runs and a team-high 43 assists. Chloe Bohuslavicky is the power bat for the RiverHawks with eight home runs but sports a .205 batting average with 25 strikeouts. In the circle Savannah Evans has a 2.68 ERA with a 2-8 record in 52.1 innings of work with 35 strikeouts and limits opposing batters to a .237. Madison Heinle has a 3.69 ERA with a 3-2 record in 14 appearances with 24.2 innings and limits opposing batters to a .294 average. Jenna Chassie has a 4.33 ERA in 12 appearances with 32.1 innings and holds opposing hitters to a .303 average. Gail Young will be a starter for the RiverHawks while having a 4.64 ERA a 5-5 record in 12 starts with 63.1 innings of work to strikeout 53 batters and holds opposing teams to a .277 average.
#4 Rogers State (22-2, 2-0 MIAA) was picked to finish third one sport about the Lions in the MIAA Coaches Preseason Poll and are led by Andrea Morales in the circle, as she owns a 1.53 ERA with a 13-1 record in 15 appearances with nine complete games and six shutouts in 82.1 innings with 111 strikeouts to only 17 walks and limits opposing batters to a .190 batting average. At the plate the Hillcats are led by Bridgett Morales (no relation) with a .378 average with 17 hits and slugs .689. Elexis Watson has a .377 average with 20 hits with a team-high four home runs and 21 walks drawn but has struck out 11 times as well. Chelsea Spain has a .344 average with 22 hits and a team-high 19 runs scored. Makayla Bowman sports a .324 average with 23 hits and 16 runs scored with six doubles. Jaylan Gibson has a .311 average with 23 hits and 19 runs scored while leading the team with seven doubles hit. Nicole Price (.415), Abbey Rogers (.366) and Marissa Smith (.300) round out the above .300 average hitters with at least 17 games played. In the circle M'Kayla Hillman has a 2.11 ERA with a 6-1 record in 49.2 innings with 33 strikeouts and limits opposing hitters to a .254 average. Abbey Beasley has a 3.56 ERA with a 3-0 record and should figure to be the third pitcher this weekend while for the season has pitched 19.2 innings with 17 strikeouts and limits batters to a .236 average.
