By Jim Henry
jhenry@joplinglobe.com
Missouri Southern will continue its “pitching by committee” philosophy today as the Lions open their MIAA softball schedule today at home against Washburn.
First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Gene Wild Field.
The Lady Blues (16-15, 2-0) swept Fort Hays State 5-0 and 5-4 in their league opener on March 16.
Missouri Southern (3-15) went 2-3 in last weekend’s Missouri Western Invitational, averaging 5.2 runs per game. The Lions had scored more than five runs in just three of their first 13 games.
“It was a great two days for our kids,” Lions head coach Aron Potter said. “Angie (Turner) and Megan Roark and J.T. (Julie Taylor) are hitting really well. They are our 3-4-5 hitters, and they have only struck out 12 times all season.
“The weekend before (scoring three runs in two losses at the Pittsburg State Invitational) was such a bad week weather-wise. We took a few days off after the weekend ... it was spring break, then we worked on a few things when we got back. I think we were hungry and ready to hit the ball.”
Turner, junior catcher, ranks third in the conference with a .455 batting average. Roark, freshman first baseman from Seneca, is the conference hitter of the week after hitting .647 last weekend and raising her season average 143 points to .327.
The Lions will rely on their offense while their top pitchers remain sidelined with injuries. Freshman Tara Kuykendall is still out, and senior Tamika Barnes, who did not pitch in last Saturday’s cold temperatures, is available.
“We’ll start Kelli Bax in the first game, Lauryn Berger in the second game and have Tamika in relief both games,” Potter said. “We’re trying to figure out our pitching rotation so we can get the best out of all of them.”
Today’s two games launch an eight-game homestand for the Lions. They also have league twinbills on Friday against Fort Hays State, nonleague games Monday against Southwest Baptist and league games on April 2 against Pittsburg State.
The conference schedule consists of one doubleheader against each team. The top eight teams qualify for the MIAA Postseason Tournament on May 1-3 in Shawnee, Kan.
Sports
March 25, 2008
Lions open eight-game homestand
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Stanton’s homers fuel Marlins’ surge in May
- Five sign to join Missouri Southern women's track team
- Whisner ignites Joplin Miners past Webb City
- Venus Williams joins Serena on sideline in Paris
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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