UMKC Heads to the Bluegrass State for the Kentucky Invitational
3/14/2012 6:09:00 PM | Softball
The 'Roos will face North Carolina State (10 a.m.) and UAB (12 p.m.) on Friday, followed by a matchup against Kentucky (12 p.m.) and a bracket play contest at either 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. on Saturday.
The tournament will conclude on Sunday with the consolation game at 11 a.m. and the championship game at 1 p.m.
THE OPPONENTS
» North Carolina State Wolfpack (12-13, 0-3 ACC as of March 14)
Coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2011, the Wolfpack enters the Kentucky Invitational on a four-game skid. This past weekend on the road against No. 21 Florida State, NC State was outscored 21-1 in three games to open up conference play.
For the season, infielder Renada Davis leads NC State in hitting (.333) and on-base percentage (.446). On March 6, Davis was named the conference player of the week when she hit .473 with nine RBI on nine hits, two homeruns, and stole two bases over six games.
Also in the infield, Katie Mansilla is the team leader in at-bats (82), hits (27), and stolen bases (4), while outfielder Bethaney Wells leads the Wolfpack in RBI (22), homeruns (4), and slugging percentage (.559).
On the mound, Emily Weiman (7-9) holds a team-best 2.15 ERA to go along with a team-high 112 strikeouts in 18 appearances this season. As for Morgan Peeler (4-4) in 13 appearances, she has an ERA of 2.52 and 31 strikeouts.
In her ninth season at NC State, Lisa Navas holds a 273-196 record, including an ACC Coach of the Year honor in 2006 and two NCAA Tournament appearances along with one ACC regular-season and tournament title.
» The Series: First meeting.
» Alabama-Birmingham Blazers (11-9, 3-0 C-USA as of March 14)
In 2011, the Blazers had its most successful season in school history totaling 39 wins, including 17 in conference play on their way to a second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
Heading into this weekend's games, UAB opened up conference action with a three-game sweep over Memphis.
For the season, catcher Mandy Lowman leads the Blazers in hitting (.451), hits (23), RBI (15), and slugging (.804), while tied with infielder Kristen McGrath for the team leader in homeruns (5).
On the mound, Lannah Campbell (5-3) owns a team-best 1.52 ERA along with a team-high 55 strikeouts in 10 appearances this season. Also in the bullpen, Leigh Streetman (3-3) has recorded 46 strikeouts along with a 3.21 ERA and one save in 11 appearances, while Amber Torres (1-2) has struck out 20 and recorded two saves.
In her 14th season, head coach Maria Townsend is the only coach in the program's history to man the dugout. During her tenure, Townsend has coached 40 all-conference athletes and has guided the Blazers to an all-time record of 354-364 (.493) and Conference USA mark of 131-148 (.470).
» The Series: First meeting.
» Kentucky Wildcats (10-12, 0-3 SEC as of March 14)
Last season, the Wildcats earned a 40-16 overall record to set a new single-season standard for wins in a season. Kentucky also appeared in the national rankings for a school-record 14 consecutive weeks, defeated 12 top-25 ranked opponents, captured a school-best five Southeastern Conference series and became one of just 31 teams in the country to advance to the NCAA Tournament for three straight seasons.
Coming into this weekend, similar to NC State, Kentucky is riding a four-game skid, including a 5-4 loss at home to Summit League foe Western Ill. earlier in the week.
At the plate for the Wildcats, infielder Kara Dill is first in hits (32), second in hitting (.432), and tied for second in doubles (5) with catcher/infielder Brittany Cervantes. As for catcher Griffin Joiner and pitcher/infielder Rachel Riley, they're tied for the team lead in homeruns (3), while Riley is first in RBI (16) and Joiner is second (11).
Pitching wise, Lauren Cumbess (2-3) holds a team-best 2.42 ERA to go along with 30 strikeouts in five appearances, while Chanda Bell (5-4) in 11 appearances has a 2.91 ERA with a team-high 49 strikeouts. Also, Ellen Weaver (1-3) and Riley (2-2) have seen extensive time this season combining for 17 appearances, including 11 starts.
At the helm, Rachel Lawson is in her fifth season as the head coach of the Kentucky softball program and has led the Wildcats to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances along with three straight winning seasons for the first time in school history.
» The Series: The Kangaroos are 0-1 all-time against the Wildcats. Their lone matchup came on Feb. 14, 2004 in the first game of the UTSA Fastpitch Express Classic in San Antonio, Texas as the Wildcats came away with a 5-4 victory.
USSARY LOOKING TO CONTINUE RECENT HOT STREAK
In three games against South Dakota, infielder Megan Ussary went 4-for-8 with two runs, a triple, and five RBI, including her first homer of the year.
For the season, the Agency, Mo. native is hitting .286 with 14 hits, seven runs, 11 RBI, and one homerun along with a .429 slugging percentage.
MOVING UP THE CAREER LIST
This past week, six Kangaroo student-athletes moved up the all-time UMKC career list in nine different categories.
Kelly Fischer moved into an eighth place tie for most played games (169) with Jennifer Heavener (1997-00) and tied Kerri Miller (1992-95) for the fourth most sacrifice hits (29).
As for Kaelene Curry, she is now tied with Becky Burger (1999-03) for the second most hits (182) and in a four-way tie for the most triples (6).
Also, Anna Sokolik moved into eighth all-time for most runs scored (65) and is now tied for the 10th most doubles (10) and fourth most RBI (62), while Emily Ott moved into eighth for most doubles (21) and Megan Ussary moved into 10th for most RBI (45).
On the mound, Deanna Friese (3-5) is now fourth in most appearances (86) and innings pitched (452.2).
THROUGH 17 GAMES IN 2011...
The 'Roos were 1-0 in the Summit League and 11-6 overall coming off a 1-0 victory over North Dakota State in the first game of a doubleheader on March 12.
Currently, the Blue & Gold are 10-7 (1-2 SL) through 17 games heading into the Kentucky Invitational.
