Wildcats, Missouri Western square off to open softball regional
5/8/2009 1:00:00 PM | Softball
Tournament Web Page with live stats link
ACU Stats | MWU Stats
After the 2009 Lone Star Conference Softball Championships ended in a disappointing loss to Angelo State, there is new life for the No. 16-ranked Wildcat softball team heading into the first day of the NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament. Abilene Christian's first opponent is Missouri Western, and the two teams square off at Noon in Durant, Okla.
Much like the LSC Tournament, the South Central Region Tournament is divided into two sites with the winner from each site meeting for a best-of-three championship series next weekend. On the Durant, Okla. side, Southeastern Okla. (No. 2 seed), the hosts, are joined by ACU (No. 3 seed), MWU (No. 6 seed) and Central Missouri (No. 7 seed).
The other side of the South Central Region bracket is played in San Angelo this weekend where Angelo State (No. 1 seed), plays host to the four-team field along with Emporia State (No. 4 seed), Nebraska-Omaha (No. 5 seed), and St. Edward's the No.-8 seed.
First things first, for ACU, ranked 16th in Tuesday's NFCA Top 25 poll, the Griffons of MWU enter the tournament with a 45-10 record while the Wildcats are 42-13.
The Griffons are a defensive team to say the least; MWU carries a solid 1.94 team ERA as a pitching staff, but the hitters bat just .281 as a team. However, big offensive numbers aren't needed when a team can hold opponents to a .223 batting average like they have, and the Griffons have three pitchers with an under-three ERA.
In the first game, the Wildcats are likely to face ace Allison Jones who has a 1.38 ERA and a 25-4 record on the season. Jones has thrown 192.1 innings for head coach Jen Bagley walking just 35 batters and striking 130. Out of 26 games the sophomore Jones has started, she has finished 23.
The other possible starter on the pitcher's circle for MWU Friday could be the No. 2 starter Jonnelle Belger who carries a 15-5 record and a 2.86 ERA into the tournament. Belger has tossed 154 innings on the year, walking 62 and striking out 72, and she's thrown five shutouts on the season.
Offensively for the Griffons as a team they average just under five runs a game (4.74) and have four hitters above the .300 mark. Brittany Douglas leads the team with a .346 average, but Becky Diehl is the top power hitter for the team with a .327 average, seven homers and 35 RBI. Mandi Nocita and Samantha Buchanan hit .326 and .325 respectively. Shannon Pivovar leads the team with 42 RBI and has posted a .297 average so far.
On the other side, head coach Chantiel Wilson's Wildcats are a more offensive minded team. ACU averages 6.25 runs per game and carries a team ERA of 3.02. Senior catcher Jessica Shiery leads the offense with a .423 batting average and has 12 homers to accompany 48 RBI.
From there, six other Wildcat hitters average above the .300 mark. Nancy Sawyers (active 20-game hitting streak) hits .346, Melissa Rodriguez at .340, Katie Cornelison and Brooke Whittlesey each are hitting .335 and Caitlin Nabors and Jackie Gentile are each hitting .316 entering the tournament.
Jacque Gregoire is ACU's ace and the likely Friday starter, she carries a 2.73 ERA and a 21-5 record into Friday's game. The sophomore right hander has 182.1 innings pitched, just 27 walks and 125 strikeouts. ACU's No. 2 starter is Kim Partin who has an 11-2 record and a team-leading 1.88 ERA, however, it is likely that Britney Benedict and Kim White could each see time from the pitcher's circle as well; all four Wildcat hurlers threw in the LSC Tournament.
ACU fans can listen to the broadcast locally on the radio on KYYW 1470 AM. The pre-game show will begin at approximately 11:50 a.m. and first pitch is scheduled for Noon. Fans can also follow the tournament by clicking here.
