Softball Opens Season at Arkansas-Monticello Tournament

• All three starting pitchers from a year ago are back for the 2015 edition of UCM softball. Katie Shockley (22 starts), Jakki Prater (15) and Jessica Wilkes (13) made every start in 2014.
• This is the third straight season the Jennies have participated in the Arkansas-Monticello Tournament. They have gone 6-6 the prior two years.
• UCM returns seven student-athletes who made at least 20 starts from the 2014 squad including their top two home run and RBI leaders.
• In 2014, Prater picked up three wins at the Arkansas-Monticello Tournament. She also went 10-for-22 at the plate with six home-runs and 14 RBI.
• The Jennies scored 47 runs in six games last year at the UAM tournament, an average of almost eight runs per game. The team averaged 6.34 runs per game during the course of the season.
• The Jen's made the MIAA tournament in 2014 after a brief absence in 2013. They've made the postseason 20 of the past 21 years.

Last Time Out
    The Central Missouri Jennies softball team was eliminated from the MIAA Tournament, falling 6-5 to Fort Hays State and 6-2 to Emporia State at the Blue Valley Complex, to end their 2014 season.
    The Jennies (27-23) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first game against Fort Hays State, courtesy of a two-run homer by Jakki Prater. The homerun gave Prater 60 RBI on the season, tying Beth Savage for most in a single-season in UCM history.
    Fort Hays State got one run back in the bottom of the third on a leadoff homerun from Kellsi Olsen.
    Olsen came back in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game at 2-2 on an RBI double to right center.
    UCM regained the lead at 4-2 in the top of the fifth when Lindsey Dawson's two-run bomb left the yard. The Jennies tacked on a fifth run in the top of the sixth when Emily King reached on a fielder's choice, plating Alex Groeger from third base.
    The Jennies saw their three-run lead trim to a single run in the ensuing inning following a two-run homerun off the bat of Amanda Vaupel.
    With the Jennies ahead, 5-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh, Courtney Dobson cleared the center field fence with a leadoff homer to tie the game at 5-5.
    Following two straight walks and a sacrifice bunt to put a pair of runners in scoring position, Vaupel laced a double down the left field line to give Fort Hays State the 6-5 win.
    Bivens and Prater collected two hits apiece in the loss.
    In the second game against Emporia State, the Jennies fell behind early, 2-0 in the bottom of the first.
    Jill Lucas' RBI single in the top of the second pulled the Jennies to within, 2-1, but Fort Hays State answered with two runs in the bottom of the second to take a 4-1 lead.
    Emporia State's Stephanie Goodwin put the game in doubt in the bottom of the fourth inning with a two-run homerun, bumping the Lady Hornets' lead to 6-1.
    The Jennies scored once in the top of the sixth, but were unable to draw any closer to Emporia State in their final at-bat.
    Groeger went 2-for-4 to close out her career at UCM, while Lucas drove in both runs for the Jennies in the second game. Katie Shockley (11-5) was tagged with the loss to the Lady Hornets, yielding seven hits on six runs (all earned). She walked one and talled two punchouts.

Season Preview
    The 2014 Jennies softball team returned to the playoffs after a brief one-year absence. With 13 returners including three senior pitchers, one senior outfielder and four returning position players, the 2015 edition of Jens softball is looking to make an even bigger impact than 2014 and return to the top of the MIAA.
    So far the early returns on the 2015 season have been positive, with Head Coach Susan Anderson saying "This fall and spring they have worked extremely hard on the field and especially in the weight room to become stronger physically and mentally. We believe we will see that improvement carry onto the field."
    The answer to how far this team can go will only be decided on the field and coach Anderson knows where she can find those answers, "We need our upperclassmen to raise the standard because this team can definitely be a force to reckon with on game day. This team has the tools to be successful with their determination, leadership, aggressiveness, hitting power, and solid defense."
    With three senior pitchers and the all-time home run leader in the lineup, there is a lot to be excited about in Warrensburg. "This entire group seems to be so much more determined and confident. There is an energy and exciting presence about this team."
    The team has all the makings for an extended post-season run: senior leadership, impactful returners, an influx of new talent and a passion for winning.
The Pitching:
    The pitching staff will be anchored by three seniors Jakki Prater, Katie Shockley and Jessica Wilkes, each of whom made at least 20 appearances in 2014. Coach Anderson knows the success of the 2015 season rests on the shoulders of her three pitchers, "Our three senior pitchers will play a vital role in our success as a team. They are all very determined with this being their last season as a Jen. We need our senior pitchers to have their best seasons on the mound."
    Prater was the Jennies wins leader in 2014, pitching to a 15-12 record and stands just three wins shy of 30 for her career. Prater pitched a career-high 143.1 innings tossing seven complete games and one shutout, while boasting a team-best 3.17 ERA.
    Shockley is coming off of her best season as a Jennie. She started a team-best 22 games compiling an 11-5 record with a 3.23 ERA. She finished just three strikeouts shy of 100 for the season in 125.2 innings pitched, a strikeout per seven inning ratio of 5.4. Shockley hurled 11 complete games with three shutouts, limiting opposing batters to a .263 batting average.
    Wilkes is coming off of a season in which she made 21 appearances and 13 starts. She helps solidify the pitching staff as she's pitched to an 8-9 record and 4.34 ERA in her two years as a Jennie.
    Newcomers Allison Tonyan and Katie Giacone may also see time in the circle in 2015. Tonyan is a transfer from Crowder College where she was named NJCAA Division I First-Team All-Region 16 pitcher. Giacone is a freshman from Belton, Mo. where she was a three-time All-Conference and All-State honoree.
The Infield:
    The Jennies boast an impressive set of infielders, all of which are coming off of an All-MIAA season. "Our infield should be very solid with the experience at each position, said Anderson. Our expectation is for them to play smart and to make those great plays behind their pitchers."
    When she isn't in the circle, Prater will slide over to second base, where she has made 28 career starts. Prater was the Jennies only First Team All-MIAA honoree and was also named to the Daktronics All-Central Region Second Team. She hit a career-best .361 to go along with a UCM record 21 home runs and tied the single season record with 60 RBI.
    The Jennies have the benefit of depth when Prater is in the circle. Sophomores Lindsey Dawson and Alex Leonhart and Giacone could both see action at second base in 2015.
    The youngest of the starters, sophomore Lauren Mabe, will hold down first base where she started 47 games in 2014. Mabe slugged 10 home runs to go along with 11 doubles and accounted for 33 RBI, second most on the team.
    Last year's second baseman Ali Jo Rogers will slide over to fill the hole at shortstop. The junior started 40 games notching 37 hits and scoring 32 runs. Rogers brings an element of speed to the Jennies lineup, with 41 career stolen bases.
    Manning the hot corner will be junior Emily King. King has made at least 30 starts at third in her first two seasons with the Jens. In 2014, King hit to a .276 batting average with 34 hits, eight doubles, three home runs and 19 RBI.
The Outfield:
    The outfield will be led by senior Amanda Nally, the lone upperclassman of the group. Nally saw action in 36 games in 2014, making 20 starts in the outfield. She's penciled in as the opening day left fielder. Nally had a productive junior season, finishing a point shy of batting .300 while driving in 18 runs and scoring 16 more.
    Dawson returns and it appears she'll have a regular role in right field. Dawson was positioned all over the field in 2014, making starts in the outfield, second base, third base and shortstop. As a freshman, Dawson was named All-MIAA Honorable Mention after leading the team with a .365 batting average and .442 on-base percentage. Madison Hood and Austin Eickleberry provide depth in right field.
    In center field the Jennies have a number of viable options. They've brought in freshman Makayla Schoonover who can cover a lot of ground in the outfield and has quickness on the basepaths. UCM also returns Keelia Martin who hit .385 in limited playing time in 2014 and scored seven runs.
The Catching:
    The catching will be done by a pair of newcomers - junior transfer Carlie Rose and freshman Allie Dishinger. According to Anderson, "Both catchers are very solid defensively and have extremely strong arms." Rose transfers after spending two years at Missouri. Dishinger was All-State as a senior at Hickman High, where she set the career record in RBIs.

Henderson State:
SERIES HISTORY: The Reddies hold a slight 4-3 edge in the series history. The two teams met three times in 2014 with the Jennies picking up two wins. Their first meeting was in 2008. The Jennies are 2-1 against Henderson State in neutral site games and won a shootout, 11-10 in their only neutral site game in 2014.
SCOUTING REPORT: Henderson State is already eight games into their 2015 campaign, with a 5-3 record. Michelle Sorensen leads the Reddies pitching staff with a 3-2 record, 2.38 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 22.2 innings. At the plate, the Reddies have already cracked 11 home runs with Ashlyn White leading the team with three in 22 at-bats. She's collected 12 hits for a .545 batting average and leads the team with a .607 on-base percentage. Three Reddies have driven in double-digit RBI in the eight-games, Morgan South (13), White (12) and Sarah Gipson (11).

Northwest Oklahoma State:
SERIES HISTORY: The Rangers and Jennies have only met once in their history with the Jennies taking a 3-2 win back in 2007.
SCOUTING REPORT: Northwestern Oklahoma State's season commenced last weekend in Texas with five games in three days. The Rangers won their first two, sweeping a doubleheader with University of Texas Permian Basin. They then dropped the next three to Texas A&M International, Angelo State and Tarleton State. Shelby Anderson appeared in four of the five games in the circle with two starts. In 18 innings pitched, Anderson pitched to a 1-2 record and 3.11 ERA with three strikeouts. At the dish, Allora Miller led the Rangers with one homerun and four RBI. She collected six hits in 17 at-bats. Sharing the team-lead in hits is Peyton Garrett, who collected six hits in 13 at bats while also drawing four walks.

Illinois-Springfield:
SERIES HISTORY: The two teams met for the first time in 2014. The Prairie Stars took a 5-4 win in Bentonville, Ark. at the Arkansas-Monticello softball classic.
SCOUTING REPORT: Like the Jennies, this will be the first time Illinois Springfield takes the field in 2015. UIS collected their first winning season in 2014 since 2012, going 27-25. After going 17-17 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, the Prairie Stars went 1-2 in the GLVC Tournament. The Prairie Stars return star pitcher Alexandria Smith, who set the UIS single-season strikeout record with 130. Smith also led the team with a 17-10 record and pitched to a 2.75 ERA in 178 innings.

William Jewell:
SERIES HISTORY: The Jennies hold a distinct advantage over the Cardinals, having won 10 of 11 meetings since the two teams first met in 1992. In 2014, the Jennies scored two runs in the 8th inning to pick up a 13-11 win.
SCOUTING REPORT: The Cardinals take the field for the first time in 2015 this weekend. The Cardinals were selected fifth in the Great Lakes Valley preseason poll after finishing 2014 29-23 and 19-13 in the conference. William Jewell returns 2014 Frist Team All-Conference honoree Faith Song. Song hit 10 home runs with 38 RBI and a .308 batting average. She also pitched to an 11-12 record with a 3.87 ERA.

East Central:
SERIES HISTORY: The Jennies and Tigers will meet for the first time since the 2008 season. UCM has won both meets with East Central in their history, both at neutral sites.
SCOUTING REPORT: The Tigers opened up their season last weekend at the NFCA Division-II Leadoff Classic in Tucson, Ariz. ECU went 2-4 during the six games in the Copper State, including a 5-3 win over No. 23 California Baptist. The Tigers also claimed a 13-12 win in eight innings over Western Oregon.

Quincy:
SERIES HISTORY: UCM holds a slight edge in the series-series with Quincy, 6-5. The Hawks closed the gap last season with a 9-7 in this same tournament. The Jennies are 5-2 all-time against the Hawks in neutral site games. The two teams first met in 1989.
SCOUTING REPORT: The Hawks will also be opening their season at the Arkansas-Monticello Softball Classic. A year ago Quincy finished with a 21-31 record in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. They'll be returning top pitcher Murphi Armstrong who led the Hawks with a 13-15 record and 3.73 ERA. They'll also be bringing back their top power-hitters in Alanna Viken and Rachel Scrum. Viken led the team with 14 home-runs, 38 RBI and a .373 batting average. Scrum was second on the Hawks clubbing nine homers while driving in 23 more.