The Jennies (5-5) will dive into the conference portion of their schedule this weekend when they visit Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney for a pair of doubleheaders on Friday, March 7 and Monday, March 10.
First pitch for the Sunday doubleheader at No. 15 Fort Hays State is slated for noon. Central Missouri and Nebraska-Kearney will start their double-dip with a first-pitch at 1 p.m. on Monday.
The games at Fort Hays State will be played at Tiger Stadium, while the games at Nebraska-Kearney can be seen at Dryden Park.
Scouting the Opponents:
Fort Hays State Tigers
Overall Record entering the week: 10-5
Key hitters: Rilee Krier (.408, 4 RBIs, 3 HRs, 9 runs, 6 stolen bases in 49 at-bats), Kylie Strand (.386, 2 HRs, 7 RBI's, 6 runs, 4 doubles in 44 at-bats), Danie Brinkmann (.325, 10 RBI's, 4 doubles, 2 stolen bases in 40 at-bats).
Key pitcher(s): Katlyn Kern (0.51 ERA, 1-0 record, 13.2 IP, 8 K, 2 saves), Kelsey Kimminau (3.05 ERA, 4-1 record, 4 CG, 36.2 IP, 28 K), Paxton Duran (3.35 ERA, 5-3 record, 2 CG, 39.2 IP, 36 K)
Team stats: Batting average - .313, Opponents - .271
Head Coach: Erin Kinberger (3rd season, 88-36 record)
Nebraska-Kearney Lady Lopers
Overall Record entering the week: 2-8
Key hitters: Mallory Noakes (.355, 4 RBIs, 2 triples, 2 doubles, 4 runs, stolen base in 31 at-bats), Kaitlyn Hehnke (.320, HR, 3 RBI's, 6 runs, 3 doubles in 25 at-bats), Mackenzie Tomlin (.303, 6 runs, 3 stolen bases in 33 at-bats).
Key pitcher(s): Brittnie Kreiser (2.49 ERA, 1-2 record, 19.2 IP, 12 K's), Bailey Backhuus (3.40 ERA, 1-2 record, CG, 22.2 IP, 12 K).
Team stats: Batting average - .249, Opponents - .347
Head Coach: Holly Carnes (14th season, 274-314 record)
Series History
Fort Hays State: The Jennies lead the all-time series, 13-10. Last season, the two teams split a pair of games in Warrensburg (Jennies lost, 7-0 and won, 10-2). UCM has dropped three of the last four meetings with Fort Hays State.
Nebraska-Kearney: The Lady Lopers lead the all-time series, 5-4. The Jennies have won the past three meetings and swept the season series last year, winning, 9-4 and 9-2 in Warrensburg.
Non-Conference Games
Central Missouri has been 787-578 in non-conference games since 1972, the beginning of softball at UCM. In the 'NCAA/MIAA Era' the Jennies have compiled a 643-455 non-conference mark. Anderson has a 115-107 record in non-conference contests.
Conference Games
Central Missouri has posted a 237-136 MIAA mark since the inception of the conference in 1983. Under Anderson the Jennies are 76-44 in conference action.
Home Field Advantage
Since the 1977 season, Central Missouri is 351-156 at home. Under Anderson, the Jennies are 64-26 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 9-7 at home.
On the Road
Since 1977, UCM has posted a 220-204 mark on the road and a 426-318 record at neutral sites. Under Anderson the Jennies have gone 62-61 on the road and 81-77 at neutral sites. This season, the Jennies are 1-2 in road games and 4-3 in neutral site games.
Jennies Picked Seventh in MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
The Jennies softball team is predicted to finish seventh in the 2014 MIAA preseason poll as picked by the league coaches. The Jennies received 95 total points in the poll, which was released on January 31.
Central MIssouri finished the 2013 season with a 24-22 record, 14-14 in MIAA competition. The Jennies return 10 players, headlined by 2013 second-team All-MIAA infielder
Braylyn Bivens.
Central Oklahoma was a unanimous selection to repeat as regular season MIAA champions, receiving all 13 possible first-place votes. The Bronchos totaled 169 points in the preseason poll. Missouri Western received the other first-place vote, totaling 156 points to finish second. Fort Hays State (138 points), Emporia State (130) and Northeastern State (115) round out the top five.
A Tradition of Excellence in the Athletic Arena
• At the conclusion of the fall 2013 athletic season, Central Missouri has won a combined 193 MIAA regular-season conference championships in 14 league sports to lead all schools.
• During the 2012-13 school year UCM captured three MIAA regular season and one tournament championship.
• Since 1983, the tenure of Athletic Director
Jerry Hughes, UCM has won or shared 139 MIAA championships, more than any other league school.
• Central Missouri has won five national championships since 1980 (men's and women's basketball in 1984, baseball in 1994 and 2003, and women's bowling in 2003) and seven national championships overall.
A Tradition of Excellence in the Classroom
• The 550 Central Missouri student-athletes received 375 Academic Awards from the MIAA office for the 2012-13 academic year.
• 305 UCM student-athletes were named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
• 37 UCM student-athletes were named MIAA Scholar Athletes with at least a 3.5 GPA and having earned all-MIAA honors in their respective sport.
• 33 UCM student-athletes were named MIAA Academic Excellence Award winners with a 4.0 GPA.
• UCM had eight student-athletes earn Academic All-America honors in their respective sports, including Brent Vogel being named the Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year for Men's Track & Field.
Upcoming Schedule...
The Jennies will make their 2014 home debut on March 14-15 at the South Recreation Complex. UCM will welcome Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri to town for a pair of doubleheaders. On Friday, March 15, the Jennies and Griffons will play a double-dip beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday's action will culminate with a 1 p.m. first pitch against the Bearcats.
