Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern softball program travels to Kansas again to take on Washburn and Emporia State this weekend.
On Friday the Lions will take on Washburn from Gahnstrom Field with first pitch happening at 4:00 and 6:00pm approximately and on Saturday the Lions will be at Trusler Sports Complex to take on Emporia State with first pitch slated for 1:00 and 3:00pm approximately.
The Lions (22-15, 10-4 MIAA) as a team are hitting .304 (5th in MIAA) and as a pitching staff have a 3.16 ERA (3rd in MIAA). Leads the MIAA with 24 triples for 0.65 triples per game which ranks third in Division-II for both categories. Is second in double plays turned with 17 which ranks 12th in Division-II.
Individually the Lions are led by
Yazmin Vargas with a .389 batting average with 42 hits scoring 39 runs while drawing a team-high 15 walks as well and has stolen 20 bases this season to rank third in the MIAA.
Ashlynn Williams is hitting .368 with 39 hits to go with 37 RBIs (8th in MIAA) with a .623 slugging percentage and 206 putouts.
Josie Tofpi has a .360 average with 36 hits with 25 runs scored and a team-high 71 assists.
Leighton Withers has a .356 average with 37 hits with 11 doubles and a team-high seven home runs with 38 RBIs (4th in MIAA) and has 164 putouts as well.
Kara Amos is hitting .327 with 14 doubles to rank fourth in the MIAA and 23rd in Division-II.
Adrianna Young, Vargas, Williams and Tofpi all rank in the top-35 in Division-II in triples as well.
In the circle
Bailey Lacy has a 2.40 ERA the fifth best in the MIAA with a 10-6 record with eight complete games and five shutouts pitching in 99 innings with 90 strikeouts the ninth best in the MIAA and opposing batters hit .262. Amos owns a 2.90 ERA with a 10-7 record with 11 complete games in 106.1 innings of work with 72 strikeouts and opposing batters are hitting .260 against her.
Washburn (32-11, 14-2 MIAA) as a team are hitting .333 (3rd in MIAA) and as a pitching staff have a 3.38 ERA (5th in MIAA). The Ichabods' are tied with Pittsburg State atop the doubles list with 81 as a team so far and are second in RBIs with 254 while also striking out 338 batters so far to lead the MIAA.
Individually Washburn is led by Marrit Mead with a .423 average with 63 hits scoring 46 runs with 19 doubles and drawing 18 walks while swiping 20 bases as well. Jaycee Ginter is hitting .391 with 45 hits, 13 being doubles and eight home runs while driving in a team-high 46 RBIs with a .765 slugging percentage. Paige Robbins is hitting .434, Ashton Friend is hitting .339 with 33 runs scored and 12 home runs. Autymn Schreiner, Hadley Kerschen and Kimi Peterson round out the batters hitting above .300.
In the circle Ginter has a 1.73 ERA with a 21-3 record to go with 16 complete games and two saves in 149.2 innings of work while striking out 217 batters and holds them to a .201 average. Raegen Hamm would figure to get a start as well for the Ichabods with a 5.39 ERA to go with a 8-6 record in 63.2 innings with 79 strikeouts while opposing batters hit .275 against her. Ashlie Thissen should be the first option out of the bullpen if either starter gets in trouble with 14 appearances in relief this season while owning a 5.08 ERA in 51 innings and opposing batters hit .317 off her.
Emporia State (20-22, 9-7 MIAA) as a team is hitting .283 (7th in MIAA) and as a pitching staff have a 3.42 ERA (6th in MIAA). Are far and away the leading team in stolen bases going 112-for-128 in attempts while being tied atop the rankings in sacrifice hits with Central Missouri with 24 and is second in sacrifice flys with 13 so far.
Individually the Hornets are led by Brittanie Shepherd with a .366 average with 48 hits while scoring 34 runs and having 15 doubles. Lexi Williams is hitting .313 while leading the team in stolen bases going 26-of-29 in attempts. Alexis Dial is hitting .305 with 32 hits, 10 of which have been doubles while scoring 28 times and is 20-of-25 in stolen bases. Emma Furnish has a .302 average while going 10-of-10 on stolen bases. Maddy Broxterman is hitting .378 with 34 hits and has 24 RBIs as well.
In the circle Sydney Righi is one of four Hornets that could get the start this weekend and owns a 2.68 ERA with a 6-7 record while pitching 75.2 innings with 33 walks and 40 strikeouts while opposing batters hit .255 against her. Gracie Rabe has a 2.90 ERA to go with a 3-4 record in 62.2 innings and opposing batters are hitting .270 against her. Jayda VanAckeren has a 4.92 ERA with a 3-2 record in 37 innings with 26 walks and 27 strikeouts and opposing batters are hitting .306 against her. Josie Harrison has a 3.07 ERA with a 1-1 record in 41 innings and opposing batters hit .229 off her. Brylie Bassett and Harley Sturm round out the pitching staff and should if any of the four possible starters run into trouble be available to come in as each pitcher has over 10 appearances this season.
