'Roos Head To Western Illinois For Three Game Series With The Leathernecks
3/25/2010 8:17:00 AM | Softball
This Week
The UMKC softball team (8-17, 3-3) will continue Summit League play this week when it hits the road for a three-game series at Western Illinois (14-7, 3-0). The series between the 'Roos and the Leathernecks will kick-off with a doubleheader at Mary Ellen McKee Stadium on Friday starting at 3 p.m. with the second game to follow. The two squads will then wrap-up the series on Saturday with a 12 p.m. contest.
Opponent Preview
» UMKC vs. Western Illinois » March 26 & 27, 2010 » 3 p.m., 5 p.m. & 12 p.m.
Western Illinois enters the weekend series with the 'Roos with a 14-7 record overall and a 3-0 mark in Summit League play, with wins over Minnesota, Arkansas and Iowa State. The Leathernecks are led by Lauren Furgala, as the senior is tops in The Summit League with a .423 average. Julie DePolo leads the team with three home runs, while Beth Golitko has chipped in two home runs and a team-leading 14 RBIs. On the mound, WIU has The Summit League's top two pitchers, as Kamren Ferguson (1.24) and Lori Pankratz (1.43) are first and second in ERA, while Kelsey Michelini has posted a 1.40 ERA in only 15 innings pitched. Western Illinois leads the all-time series between the two schools, 43-14, including a sweep of the 'Roos last season in Kansas City.
LAST WEEK
The 'Roos battled IUPUI last week in Summit League play, taking the series from the Jaguars, 2-1. In game one of the series, UMKC beat IUPUI, 12-4, in five innings at Loyola Park behind an eight run second inning. Taylor Hill led the 'Roos in the contest, as the freshman finished 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored. Deanna Friese (4-9) picked up the win on the mound, while Taya Upkes pitched 2.1 innings, allowing no runs and three hits.
On Friday, the teams split a doubleheader, with the 'Roos taking game one, 8-2, behind a three-run home run from Betsy Hanley, but fell 7-0 in game two. Sokolik registered the win in the first game, tossing seven innings, while allowing four hits and an earned run with three strikeouts.
'ROOS NOTCH SCHOOL'S 250TH WIN
With its 9-4 win over IPFW on March 12, the UMKC softball teamed recorded the 250th win in school history. Overall the 'Roos are 252-637 for a .284 winning percentage, while sitting 111-159 in Summit League play. Head Coach Meredith Smith holds a 40-128 record in over three seasons at the helm of the squad.
LEADING THE 'ROOS
Kaelene Curry is off to a monster start in her sophomore campaign, as the Downer's Grove, Ill., native currently leads the 'Roos in batting average (.409), OBP (.530), runs (23), hits (27), doubles (5), total bases (32), walks (12), HBPs (5), steals (8) and is second on the team in slugging percentage (.485). Other category leaders for the 'Roos include Betsy Hanley in slugging (.500) and home runs (2), Kelly Fischer in doubles (5) and steals (8), Taylor Hill in home runs (2), Emily Ott in RBIs (16) and Anna Sokolik in triples (3).
MASHING IT IN LEAGUE PLAY
Through its first six league games of the season, the UMKC lineup has been crushing the ball. Combined, the team is hitting .344 with six home runs and 35 RBIs with a .903 OPS. Betsy Hanley has led the way for the squad, as the third baseman is hitting .500 with nine RBIs, three doubles, two home runs and three runs scored, while Kelly Fischer is hitting .421 with seven runs and six RBIs. Total, the team has nine players with averages over .333 in league play, led by Anna Sokolik (.538) and Kaelene Curry (.529).
CHICAGOLAND GIRLS
The UMKC softball features a quartet of girls from the Chicagoland area, including sophomores Kaelene Curry (Downer's Grove, Ill.), Betsy Hanley (Minooka, Ill.) and Megan Vicino (Oak Brook, Ill.) and freshman Emily Ott (Des Plaines, Ill.). Combined, the foursome is hitting .312 with 42 RBIs, 39 runs scored, 15 doubles, three home runs and includes four of the top six RBI women on the team.
SUMMIT LEAGUE LEADERS
Several 'Roos sit on top of The Summit League statistical standings, led by Kaelene Curry and Anna Sokolik. Curry leads the league's in OBP at .530, while sitting second in runs (25), third in batting average (.409), fourth in walks (12), fifth in hits (27) and sixth in stolen bases (8). Sokolik is tied for the league lead with three triples, while Chelsea Hartwig is tied for ninth in walks with 10. Fischer's eight steals and 26 hits are sixth in the league, while Emily Ott's 16 RBIs are fifth. As a team, the 'Roos are third in batting average with a .259 mark.
Freshman Deanna Friese, meanwhile, is second in the league in strikeouts (81), while sitting fourth in appearances (18), fifth in games started (13) and sixth in innings pitched (72.1) and complete games (7). Sokolik is ninth in ERA (2.92) and opponent batting average (.257).
GAME 1 OF A DOUBLEHEADER
In its three doubleheaders this season against Wichita State, IPFW and IUPUI, UMKC has posted an overall 4-2 record, including picking up victories in the opening game of all three. In game one, the 'Roos beat Wichita State, 4-0, while downing the Mastodons, 11-9 and the Jaguars 8-2.
FIRST 100 INNINGS PITCHED
Sophomore pitcher Anna Sokolik recently eclipsed the 100 innings pitched mark in her career at UMKC in her complete game victory over IUPUI. In her two years in the Blue and Gold, the Bettendorf, Iowa, native has amassed six wins and a 6.17 ERA, with 60 strikeouts. This season, Sokolik has posted a 4-3 record with team-leading 2.92 ERA and 37 strikeouts, while being named The Summit League Pitcher of the Week on March 8.
HALFWAY POINT
After its games last week against IUPUI, the UMKC softball team had completed its first 25 games, reaching the halfway point of its season. In the first half, the squad posted an 8-17 overall record and a 3-3 mark in Summit League play. At this pace, the 'Roos would earn the second most wins for the team in the last seven years, while posting the most league wins since winning 16 Mid-Con games in 2002.
COMING OUT SWINGING
The UMKC line-up currently features four hitters with a batting average above .300, including sophomores Kaelene Curry's .409 average, Betsy Hanley's .345 average, Kelly Fischer's .338 average and Anna Sokolik's .309 average. Combined, the four players are hitting .352 with 49 runs scored, 15 doubles, three triples, two home runs, 34 RBIs and a .412 on-base percentage.
OUT-HITTING=WINNING
When the UMKC bats are going, they are tough to beat. The 'Roos have a 7-1 record when they out hit their opponents, while holding a 1-15 mark when they are out hit. The squad's lone loss came in the first game of the season when they out hit SEMO, 10-7.
CAREER RECORD BOOKS
Several 'Roos have put themselves solidly in the UMKC career record books, led by sophomore infielders Kaelene Curry, Betsy Hanley and Kelly Fischer. Curry is currently second all-time at UMKC in on-base percentage (.427), trailing only Tracey Poste .448 mark, and fifth in batting average (.341), while Hanley (.342) and Fischer (.320), are fourth and seventh in batting average all-time. Meanwhile, Carli Slagle (9) and Chelsea Hartwig (8) rank second and third, respectively, on the UMKC career home run list.
On the mound, Taya Upkes sits fifth in strikeouts per seven innings (4.62), sixth in games pitched (65), seventh in ERA (3.92) and strikeouts (120) and eighth in innings pitched (182). Meanwhile, Deanna Friese sits atop the UMKC record books with 7.8 strikeouts per seven innings, while Anna Sokolik is sixth (4.16).
SINGLE SEASON RECORD BOOKS
Last season several 'Roos found their way into the UMKC single season record books, including Betsy Hanley in batting average (9th-.342) and hits (t6th-55), Kelly Fischer in hits (4th-57), at-bats (3rd-182) and runs (3rd-28), Chelsea Hartwig in home runs (1st-8), slugging (8th-.486) and RBIs (6th-25) and Carli Slagle in home runs (t5h-4) and RBIs (t8th-23).
This season, with half the season completed, several 'Roos are again on pace to put their names in the records. Kaelene Curry's .409 batting average would place her second all-time, while Hanley's .345 average would place her 10th. Curry is also on pace to sit in the top 10 in hits, slugging, runs, walks, stolen bases and on-base percentage, while Fischer would crack the top 1-n in hits, runs and stolen bases. Other 'Roos that are on pace to rank in the top 10 all-time in a single season include Anna Sokolik (triples), Hanley (slugging) and Emily Ott (RBIs). Meanwhile, Deanna Friese's 81 strikeouts rank seventh in a single season, while her 7.8 strikeouts per seven innings pitched would be second.
'ROOS ON THE MOUND
This season, the UMKC softball team will count on one first-year player and one second-year player to handle the bulk of the duties on the mound, as freshmen Deanna Friese and sophomore Anna Sokolik will be the 'Roos one and two pitchers. Friese has compiled a 4-9 record this season with a 5.13 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 72.1 innings of work. Sokolik, meanwhile, has emerged as the 'Roos most consistent pitcher in the early part of the season. Thus far, the Bettendorf, Iowa, native has compiled a team-low 2.92 ERA in 52.2 innings, while striking out 37.
Rounding out the pitching staff for the 'Roos are junior Taya Upkes and freshman Emily Ott. On the season, Upkes has thrown 15.2 innings, while Ott has gone 16.2 innings in her debut campaign.
POWER SURGE
The Summit League opening series with IPFW on March 12-13 featured a total of 10 home runs between the two teams, including seven in the second game of Friday's doubleheader. For the 'Roos, Betsy Hanley, Emily Ott, Taylor Hill and Amanda Kinn all went yard, while IPFW's Kristina Karpun hit four home runs in the series.
RICE INDUCTED INTO UMKC HALL OF FAME
Three-time First Team all-Mid-Con selection (1999-01) Amanda Rice was inducted into the UMKC Hall of Fame on Jan. 22. Rice, who was a Mid-Con all-Tournament team honoree in 1999, is the UMKC career record holder in hits (201), doubles (47) runs batted in (97) and home runs (14). She also finished her career ranked second in putouts (219), fourth in games played (218), sixth in batting average (.309) and fifth in walks (40).
WHITESIDE ON THE MEND
Starting center fielder Ashley Whiteside will miss significant action for the 'Roos, as the junior injured her ankle against Eastern Illinois in a collision at first base. On the season, Whiteside had amassed a .286 batting average with seven runs, and four stolen bases, while providing the squad with a strong defensive presence in center field.
SOKOLIK NAMED SUMMIT LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE WEEK
UMKC's Anna Sokolik was named The Summit League Pitcher of the Week on March 8 after posting a 1-1 record with a 1.38 ERA and 10 strikeouts in the Missouri Breast Cancer Awareness Tournament. The Bettendorf, Iowa, native began the tournament by picking up her first win of the season over Southeast Missouri State on Friday, tossing a complete game, allowing one earned run and eight hits, while striking out four. Against Missouri State, Sokolik threw all six innings, giving up one earned run on eight hits with a career-high six strikeouts.
SOKOLIK, FRIESE NAMED TO ULM MARDI GRAS CLASSIC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Sophomore Anna Sokolik and freshman Deanna Friese were named to the ULM Mardi Gras all-Tournament team. Sokolik finished the tournament with an .833 batting average, as the sophomore collected five hits, including two triples, scored two runs, drove in one run and slugged 1.667 in three games. On the mound, the Bettendorf, Iowa, native pitched two hitless innings. Friese, meanwhile, finished the tournament with a 1-1 record and a 3.46 ERA in 13 innings of work, while striking out 17 in two complete game efforts.
THE LONE SENIOR
Carli Slagle returns to the 'Roos for her fourth season in the Blue and Gold, making her the only senior on this year's team. Slagle, who is second all-time in UMKC history with nine career home runs, will be counted on to by Head Coach Meredith Smith to provide leadership to a team that features five freshmen, 10 sophomores and six juniors. Last season, the outfielder finished with a .267 batting average, while finishing second on the team with 23 RBI's and third in home runs with four. This season, Slagle has mashed one of the team's eight home runs.
'ROOS PICKED FIFTH IN PRESEASON POLL
The UMKC softball team was picked to finish fifth in The Summit League Preseason Poll in a vote of the league's nine head coaches. The 'Roos received 30 points in the polls, trailing fourth place Oakland by only four points. Western Illinois was picked as the preseason favorite, finishing with 5 first place votes for a total of 61 points.
RETURNEES GALORE
UMKC returns eight starters, including a pair of Second Team all-Summit League honorees in Kelly Fischer and Chelsea Hartwig, from a squad that finished 20-34 and 10-14 in The Summit League last season.
HEAD COACH MEREDITH SMITH
Meredith Smith is entering her fourth season at the helm of the UMKC softball program with a 40-128 overall record and a 20-47 mark in Summit League play through her first three years. After inheriting a program that had finished with a winning season once in the previous 18 years of existence, Coach Smith has at least doubled her win total in each of her three seasons. Last season, Smith led the squad to 20 wins, the most since the 2002 season.
LAST SEASON
The UMKC softball team finished the 2009 campaign with a 20-34 overall record, while going 10-14 in Summit League play to finish sixth. The 20 wins mark only the fourth time in school history that the team has reached the total. The squad was led on the year by Second Team all-Summit League selections Kelly Fischer and Chelsea Hartwig. Fischer finished with a .313 average, while notching a team-high 28 runs and 57 hits. Hartwig, meanwhile, recorded team-highs of eight home runs, 25 RBIs, 15 walks and a .486 slugging percentage in 2009. The eight home runs for Hartwig were a UMKC single season record.
The UMKC softball team (8-17, 3-3) will continue Summit League play this week when it hits the road for a three-game series at Western Illinois (14-7, 3-0). The series between the 'Roos and the Leathernecks will kick-off with a doubleheader at Mary Ellen McKee Stadium on Friday starting at 3 p.m. with the second game to follow. The two squads will then wrap-up the series on Saturday with a 12 p.m. contest.
Opponent Preview
» UMKC vs. Western Illinois » March 26 & 27, 2010 » 3 p.m., 5 p.m. & 12 p.m.
Western Illinois enters the weekend series with the 'Roos with a 14-7 record overall and a 3-0 mark in Summit League play, with wins over Minnesota, Arkansas and Iowa State. The Leathernecks are led by Lauren Furgala, as the senior is tops in The Summit League with a .423 average. Julie DePolo leads the team with three home runs, while Beth Golitko has chipped in two home runs and a team-leading 14 RBIs. On the mound, WIU has The Summit League's top two pitchers, as Kamren Ferguson (1.24) and Lori Pankratz (1.43) are first and second in ERA, while Kelsey Michelini has posted a 1.40 ERA in only 15 innings pitched. Western Illinois leads the all-time series between the two schools, 43-14, including a sweep of the 'Roos last season in Kansas City.
LAST WEEK
The 'Roos battled IUPUI last week in Summit League play, taking the series from the Jaguars, 2-1. In game one of the series, UMKC beat IUPUI, 12-4, in five innings at Loyola Park behind an eight run second inning. Taylor Hill led the 'Roos in the contest, as the freshman finished 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored. Deanna Friese (4-9) picked up the win on the mound, while Taya Upkes pitched 2.1 innings, allowing no runs and three hits.
On Friday, the teams split a doubleheader, with the 'Roos taking game one, 8-2, behind a three-run home run from Betsy Hanley, but fell 7-0 in game two. Sokolik registered the win in the first game, tossing seven innings, while allowing four hits and an earned run with three strikeouts.
'ROOS NOTCH SCHOOL'S 250TH WIN
With its 9-4 win over IPFW on March 12, the UMKC softball teamed recorded the 250th win in school history. Overall the 'Roos are 252-637 for a .284 winning percentage, while sitting 111-159 in Summit League play. Head Coach Meredith Smith holds a 40-128 record in over three seasons at the helm of the squad.
LEADING THE 'ROOS
Kaelene Curry is off to a monster start in her sophomore campaign, as the Downer's Grove, Ill., native currently leads the 'Roos in batting average (.409), OBP (.530), runs (23), hits (27), doubles (5), total bases (32), walks (12), HBPs (5), steals (8) and is second on the team in slugging percentage (.485). Other category leaders for the 'Roos include Betsy Hanley in slugging (.500) and home runs (2), Kelly Fischer in doubles (5) and steals (8), Taylor Hill in home runs (2), Emily Ott in RBIs (16) and Anna Sokolik in triples (3).
MASHING IT IN LEAGUE PLAY
Through its first six league games of the season, the UMKC lineup has been crushing the ball. Combined, the team is hitting .344 with six home runs and 35 RBIs with a .903 OPS. Betsy Hanley has led the way for the squad, as the third baseman is hitting .500 with nine RBIs, three doubles, two home runs and three runs scored, while Kelly Fischer is hitting .421 with seven runs and six RBIs. Total, the team has nine players with averages over .333 in league play, led by Anna Sokolik (.538) and Kaelene Curry (.529).
CHICAGOLAND GIRLS
The UMKC softball features a quartet of girls from the Chicagoland area, including sophomores Kaelene Curry (Downer's Grove, Ill.), Betsy Hanley (Minooka, Ill.) and Megan Vicino (Oak Brook, Ill.) and freshman Emily Ott (Des Plaines, Ill.). Combined, the foursome is hitting .312 with 42 RBIs, 39 runs scored, 15 doubles, three home runs and includes four of the top six RBI women on the team.
SUMMIT LEAGUE LEADERS
Several 'Roos sit on top of The Summit League statistical standings, led by Kaelene Curry and Anna Sokolik. Curry leads the league's in OBP at .530, while sitting second in runs (25), third in batting average (.409), fourth in walks (12), fifth in hits (27) and sixth in stolen bases (8). Sokolik is tied for the league lead with three triples, while Chelsea Hartwig is tied for ninth in walks with 10. Fischer's eight steals and 26 hits are sixth in the league, while Emily Ott's 16 RBIs are fifth. As a team, the 'Roos are third in batting average with a .259 mark.
Freshman Deanna Friese, meanwhile, is second in the league in strikeouts (81), while sitting fourth in appearances (18), fifth in games started (13) and sixth in innings pitched (72.1) and complete games (7). Sokolik is ninth in ERA (2.92) and opponent batting average (.257).
GAME 1 OF A DOUBLEHEADER
In its three doubleheaders this season against Wichita State, IPFW and IUPUI, UMKC has posted an overall 4-2 record, including picking up victories in the opening game of all three. In game one, the 'Roos beat Wichita State, 4-0, while downing the Mastodons, 11-9 and the Jaguars 8-2.
FIRST 100 INNINGS PITCHED
Sophomore pitcher Anna Sokolik recently eclipsed the 100 innings pitched mark in her career at UMKC in her complete game victory over IUPUI. In her two years in the Blue and Gold, the Bettendorf, Iowa, native has amassed six wins and a 6.17 ERA, with 60 strikeouts. This season, Sokolik has posted a 4-3 record with team-leading 2.92 ERA and 37 strikeouts, while being named The Summit League Pitcher of the Week on March 8.
HALFWAY POINT
After its games last week against IUPUI, the UMKC softball team had completed its first 25 games, reaching the halfway point of its season. In the first half, the squad posted an 8-17 overall record and a 3-3 mark in Summit League play. At this pace, the 'Roos would earn the second most wins for the team in the last seven years, while posting the most league wins since winning 16 Mid-Con games in 2002.
COMING OUT SWINGING
The UMKC line-up currently features four hitters with a batting average above .300, including sophomores Kaelene Curry's .409 average, Betsy Hanley's .345 average, Kelly Fischer's .338 average and Anna Sokolik's .309 average. Combined, the four players are hitting .352 with 49 runs scored, 15 doubles, three triples, two home runs, 34 RBIs and a .412 on-base percentage.
OUT-HITTING=WINNING
When the UMKC bats are going, they are tough to beat. The 'Roos have a 7-1 record when they out hit their opponents, while holding a 1-15 mark when they are out hit. The squad's lone loss came in the first game of the season when they out hit SEMO, 10-7.
CAREER RECORD BOOKS
Several 'Roos have put themselves solidly in the UMKC career record books, led by sophomore infielders Kaelene Curry, Betsy Hanley and Kelly Fischer. Curry is currently second all-time at UMKC in on-base percentage (.427), trailing only Tracey Poste .448 mark, and fifth in batting average (.341), while Hanley (.342) and Fischer (.320), are fourth and seventh in batting average all-time. Meanwhile, Carli Slagle (9) and Chelsea Hartwig (8) rank second and third, respectively, on the UMKC career home run list.
On the mound, Taya Upkes sits fifth in strikeouts per seven innings (4.62), sixth in games pitched (65), seventh in ERA (3.92) and strikeouts (120) and eighth in innings pitched (182). Meanwhile, Deanna Friese sits atop the UMKC record books with 7.8 strikeouts per seven innings, while Anna Sokolik is sixth (4.16).
SINGLE SEASON RECORD BOOKS
Last season several 'Roos found their way into the UMKC single season record books, including Betsy Hanley in batting average (9th-.342) and hits (t6th-55), Kelly Fischer in hits (4th-57), at-bats (3rd-182) and runs (3rd-28), Chelsea Hartwig in home runs (1st-8), slugging (8th-.486) and RBIs (6th-25) and Carli Slagle in home runs (t5h-4) and RBIs (t8th-23).
This season, with half the season completed, several 'Roos are again on pace to put their names in the records. Kaelene Curry's .409 batting average would place her second all-time, while Hanley's .345 average would place her 10th. Curry is also on pace to sit in the top 10 in hits, slugging, runs, walks, stolen bases and on-base percentage, while Fischer would crack the top 1-n in hits, runs and stolen bases. Other 'Roos that are on pace to rank in the top 10 all-time in a single season include Anna Sokolik (triples), Hanley (slugging) and Emily Ott (RBIs). Meanwhile, Deanna Friese's 81 strikeouts rank seventh in a single season, while her 7.8 strikeouts per seven innings pitched would be second.
'ROOS ON THE MOUND
This season, the UMKC softball team will count on one first-year player and one second-year player to handle the bulk of the duties on the mound, as freshmen Deanna Friese and sophomore Anna Sokolik will be the 'Roos one and two pitchers. Friese has compiled a 4-9 record this season with a 5.13 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 72.1 innings of work. Sokolik, meanwhile, has emerged as the 'Roos most consistent pitcher in the early part of the season. Thus far, the Bettendorf, Iowa, native has compiled a team-low 2.92 ERA in 52.2 innings, while striking out 37.
Rounding out the pitching staff for the 'Roos are junior Taya Upkes and freshman Emily Ott. On the season, Upkes has thrown 15.2 innings, while Ott has gone 16.2 innings in her debut campaign.
POWER SURGE
The Summit League opening series with IPFW on March 12-13 featured a total of 10 home runs between the two teams, including seven in the second game of Friday's doubleheader. For the 'Roos, Betsy Hanley, Emily Ott, Taylor Hill and Amanda Kinn all went yard, while IPFW's Kristina Karpun hit four home runs in the series.
RICE INDUCTED INTO UMKC HALL OF FAME
Three-time First Team all-Mid-Con selection (1999-01) Amanda Rice was inducted into the UMKC Hall of Fame on Jan. 22. Rice, who was a Mid-Con all-Tournament team honoree in 1999, is the UMKC career record holder in hits (201), doubles (47) runs batted in (97) and home runs (14). She also finished her career ranked second in putouts (219), fourth in games played (218), sixth in batting average (.309) and fifth in walks (40).
WHITESIDE ON THE MEND
Starting center fielder Ashley Whiteside will miss significant action for the 'Roos, as the junior injured her ankle against Eastern Illinois in a collision at first base. On the season, Whiteside had amassed a .286 batting average with seven runs, and four stolen bases, while providing the squad with a strong defensive presence in center field.
SOKOLIK NAMED SUMMIT LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE WEEK
UMKC's Anna Sokolik was named The Summit League Pitcher of the Week on March 8 after posting a 1-1 record with a 1.38 ERA and 10 strikeouts in the Missouri Breast Cancer Awareness Tournament. The Bettendorf, Iowa, native began the tournament by picking up her first win of the season over Southeast Missouri State on Friday, tossing a complete game, allowing one earned run and eight hits, while striking out four. Against Missouri State, Sokolik threw all six innings, giving up one earned run on eight hits with a career-high six strikeouts.
SOKOLIK, FRIESE NAMED TO ULM MARDI GRAS CLASSIC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Sophomore Anna Sokolik and freshman Deanna Friese were named to the ULM Mardi Gras all-Tournament team. Sokolik finished the tournament with an .833 batting average, as the sophomore collected five hits, including two triples, scored two runs, drove in one run and slugged 1.667 in three games. On the mound, the Bettendorf, Iowa, native pitched two hitless innings. Friese, meanwhile, finished the tournament with a 1-1 record and a 3.46 ERA in 13 innings of work, while striking out 17 in two complete game efforts.
THE LONE SENIOR
Carli Slagle returns to the 'Roos for her fourth season in the Blue and Gold, making her the only senior on this year's team. Slagle, who is second all-time in UMKC history with nine career home runs, will be counted on to by Head Coach Meredith Smith to provide leadership to a team that features five freshmen, 10 sophomores and six juniors. Last season, the outfielder finished with a .267 batting average, while finishing second on the team with 23 RBI's and third in home runs with four. This season, Slagle has mashed one of the team's eight home runs.
'ROOS PICKED FIFTH IN PRESEASON POLL
The UMKC softball team was picked to finish fifth in The Summit League Preseason Poll in a vote of the league's nine head coaches. The 'Roos received 30 points in the polls, trailing fourth place Oakland by only four points. Western Illinois was picked as the preseason favorite, finishing with 5 first place votes for a total of 61 points.
RETURNEES GALORE
UMKC returns eight starters, including a pair of Second Team all-Summit League honorees in Kelly Fischer and Chelsea Hartwig, from a squad that finished 20-34 and 10-14 in The Summit League last season.
HEAD COACH MEREDITH SMITH
Meredith Smith is entering her fourth season at the helm of the UMKC softball program with a 40-128 overall record and a 20-47 mark in Summit League play through her first three years. After inheriting a program that had finished with a winning season once in the previous 18 years of existence, Coach Smith has at least doubled her win total in each of her three seasons. Last season, Smith led the squad to 20 wins, the most since the 2002 season.
LAST SEASON
The UMKC softball team finished the 2009 campaign with a 20-34 overall record, while going 10-14 in Summit League play to finish sixth. The 20 wins mark only the fourth time in school history that the team has reached the total. The squad was led on the year by Second Team all-Summit League selections Kelly Fischer and Chelsea Hartwig. Fischer finished with a .313 average, while notching a team-high 28 runs and 57 hits. Hartwig, meanwhile, recorded team-highs of eight home runs, 25 RBIs, 15 walks and a .486 slugging percentage in 2009. The eight home runs for Hartwig were a UMKC single season record.
Players Mentioned
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/ SoftballSB Highlights vs. #3 South Dakota
Wednesday, May 07
SB Highlights @ South Dakota (Game Three)
Saturday, May 03
SB Highlights @ South Dakota (Game Two)
Friday, May 02
SB Highlights @ South Dakota (Game One)
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