Scene Setter...
After sweeping a pair of games last weekend in Joplin, Jennies Softball will host Missouri S & T in their home opener at the South Recreation Complex Wednesday in a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. The Jennies will then hit the road to St. Joseph to open MIAA play Friday with a doubleheader against Missouri Western at 5 p.m. and Platte City Saturday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader with Northwest Missouri State. The doubleheader against Northwest Missouri State has been moved to Platte City due to field conditions in Maryville.
The Jennies defeated Nebraska-Kearney 11-3 and Missouri Southern 8-2 in the Border Battle last weekend.
Jakki Prater led the Jennies in the first game, going a perfect 3-3 at the plate while
Jessica Wilkes pitched a complete game, striking out two to take the win in the circle and improved her overall record to 2-1.
In game two,
Medora West went 3-4 with a triple to lead the offense while Prater pitched a complete game, going seven innings with seven strikeouts, to improve her record to 5-1.
Scouting the Opponents:
Missouri S & T Lady Miners
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Overall Record entering the week: 2-6
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Key hitters: Kaylea Smith (.375, 10 RBIs, 3 HRs, 2 doubles, 9 hits in 24 at bats)
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Key pitcher(s): Becca Strope (4.80 ERA, 0-0 record, 11.2 IP, 9 K), Amber Duncan (5.35 ERA, 1-3 record, 1 CG, 17 IP, 12 K), Taylor Keal (5.43 ERA, 1-3 record, 1 CG, 19.1 IP, 11 K)
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Team stats: Batting average - .217, Opponents - .324
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Head Coach: Don Kennedy (7th season, 131-162 record)
Missouri Western Griffons
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Overall Record entering the week: 12-6
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Key hitters: Keri Lorbert (.283, 19 RBIs, 7 HRs, 15 hits in 53 at bats), Tiffany Gillaspy (.371, 15 RBIs, 5 HRs, 5 doubles, 23 hits in 62 at bats), Sarah Elliott (.490, 12 RBIs, 2 HRs, 5 doubles, 25 hits in 51 at bats)
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Key pitcher(s): Jackie Bishop (1.80 ERA, 6-2 record, 8 CG, 58.1 IP, 1 SV, 71 K)
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Team stats: Batting average - .309, Opponents - .235
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Head Coach: Jen Bagley (12th season, 377-241 record)
Northwest Missouri State Bearcats
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Overall Record entering the week: 10-4
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Key hitters: Hailee Hendricks (.500, 13 RBIs, 2 HRs, 1 triple, 3 doubles, 14 hits in 28 at bats), Stephanie Price (.302, 12 RBIs, 3 HRs, 1 triple, 2 doubles 13 hits in 43 at bats), Kristen Uthe (.372, 11 RBIs, 2 HRs, 3 doubles, 16 hits in 43 at bats)
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Key pitcher(s): Jenna Creger (0.68 ERA, 5-1 record, 5 CG, 3 SHO, 41 IP, 46 K)
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Team stats: Batting average - .331, Opponents - .231
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Head Coach: Ryan Anderson (7th season, 141-152 record)
Series History
Missouri S & T: This will be the 67th meeting for the Jennies and the Lady Miners. The Jennies lead the all-time series 45-21. Last season the Jennies split two games in Rolla, losing game one 4-3 while winning game two 6-1.
Missouri Western: This will be the 77th meeting between the Jennies and the Griffons. The Jennies lead the series 49-27. Last season the Jennies dropped a home doubleheader to the Griffons, 5-1 and 8-2, as well as an MIAA Softball Tournament contest, 8-5.
Northwest Missouri State: This will be the 108th meeting between the Jennies and the Bearcats. The Jennies trail in the all-time series 58-49. Last season the Jennies won a pair of games in Maryville, 6-4 and 11-8, and defeated the Bearcats in the MIAA Tournament 6-4.
Non-Conference Games
Central Missouri has been 780-571 in non-conference games since 1972, the beginning of softball at UCM. In the 'NCAA/MIAA Era' the Jennies have compiled a 636-448 non-conference mark. Anderson has a 108-100 record in non-conference contests
Conference Games
Central Missouri has posted a 224-123 MIAA mark since the inception of the conference in 1983. Under Anderson the Jennies are 63-33 in conference action.
Home Field Advantage
Since the 1977 season, Central Missouri is 342-149 at home. Under Anderson, the Jennies are 58-20 at home. UCM has gone undefeated in the 2007 (8-0), 1991 (13-0), 1989 (8-0), and 1979 (6-0). Last season the Jennies were 8-8 at home.
On the Road
Since 1977, UCM has posted a 213-194 mark on the road and a 421-314 record at neutral sites. Under Anderson the Jennies have gone 55-51 on the road and 76-73 at neutral sites.
Current Leaders
On the bases, Bivens continues to be a threat after leading the MIAA in stolen bases last season as she has successfully stolen 9-10 bases in the Jennies first 14 games of 2013.
In the Circle
Jennies pitcher
Jakki Prater is 5-1 in the circle to start out the 2013 season. She has a 2.42 ERA in 43.1 innings pitched and has thrown five complete games. The Nixa, Mo. native also has an impressive 36 strikeouts through her first seven appearances.
Jessica Wilkes boasts the teams lowest ERA at 1.93. She has made five appearances, pitching 25.1 innings, striking out 12.
Jennies Softball Online
For up-to-date live statistics for all home Jennies softball games visit
www.UCMathletics.com. Also, a student-run, pay-per-view webcast will be available for select Jennies home games via AmericaOneSports.com and the UCM Media Network.
Upcoming Schedule...
The Jennies will host Washburn in an MIAA doubleheader Tuesday, March 19 before traveling to St. Joseph March 22-24 to compete in the Central Region Invitational hosted by Missouri Western.
