CHADRON, Neb. -- March 7, 2016 -- Riding the momentum of an 8-3 run, the Chadron State College softball team (13-9-1, 8-4 RMAC) heads to the University of Nebraska at Kearney (6-12, 0-4 MIAA) on Tuesday hoping to take both games of a doubleheader from the Lopers.
The Eagles have not won more than a single game in Kearney since 2010, when they won in all three attempts in the midstate and went 2-1 at home against the instate rivals, then a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference foe.
Kinsley Mason and
Dallas Magnusson figure to see considerable action in the circle for CSC in these two games, as
Tayler Hall and
Cierra Cosslett each hurled a pair of games over the weekend. Cosslett and Hall, both of whom coach Stack refers to as "number ones", could see time in relief. He hopes to be able to shuffle several spots in the lineup and try some new looks in the infield against UNK.
Kearney took over the all-time series lead 16 to 15 last season, winning both contests in Chadron in just five innings apiece as Erin Dwyer and Kate Ruwe each pounded out a trio of homers in the two-game series. Both Dwyer and Ruwe return this year for their senior season. Ruwe leads the team with a .482 batting average so far this year, has seven home runs to date, and has collected 21 RBI. All are team-highs. Right next to her is Dwyer batting a stellar .410 on the season, with 6 of her 16 hits going for extra bases.
The Lopers return one of their winning pitchers from last years' wins over the Eagles. Meg Householder is 3-3 on the year with a 4.55 earned run average and 27 strikeouts in 40.0 innings pitched. Their No. 2, Kami Merrill, has fewer wins at 2-5 and a 6.15 ERA, but has struck out 51 in 46 and two-thirds innings.
The Lopers bat .295 as a team, while allowing opponents a .315 average. They opened up the season 3-2 in the Desert Stinger Classic in Las Vegas, Nevada, losing to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, but defeating New Mexico Highlands, both RMAC members. Since then they have gone 1-3 at a tournament in Bentonville, Arkansas, and 2-3 at an invitational in St. Cloud, Minnesota, before dropping four straight MIAA games at home.
The doubleheader in Kearney is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. MT/3 p.m. CT with a forecast currently showing light breeze, increasing clouds and temperatures around 60 degrees. Online video streaming for both games is listed available for purchase by following links available on the Eagles' schedule at ChadronEagles.com or by finding the 'Live Video' link at Lopers.com.
