BISMARCK, ND – The home opener for the University of Mary softball team has been pushed back a day and moved to a new location. Originally scheduled for March 28, the Marauders first home game of the season is now set for Wednesday, March 29, against Minot State University. The Northern Sun doubleheader will start at 2 pm at Clem Kelly Diamond #2.
The Clem Kelly softball complex is located at 517 W Arbor Ave, Bismarck, ND, 58504.
The Marauders doubleheader against the Beavers is also the NSIC opener for both schools. Mary enters the game with a record of 6-19. Minot State checks in at 8-5.
Senior
Taylor Mendez leads the Marauders efforts. The 2-time All-NSIC performer is hitting .329 and leads Mary in home runs (5), doubles (7), runs scored (12), runs batted in (14) and slugging percentage (.618). The utility player is program's NCAA-era career leader in home runs with 44.
A pair of freshmen are also among the team's leaders in hitting. Center fielder
Rebekkah Keller is hitting .380 with an on-base percentage of .425, both team highs. She has scored 11 runs and driven in seven. Shortstop
Hannah Holtz checks in with a .308 batting average and has scored eight runs.
Madison McGonigal, another newcomer, is hitting .297. The junior transfer has scored nine times this season.
Junior
Colleen Crutchfield is second on the Marauders with 10 runs batted in. She is also tied for the team lead with seven walks and has been hit by a pitch three times to help build her .355 on base percentage.
Brieann Backes and
Taylor Lara, both sophomore right handers, have split time starting in the circle. Both share the team lead in wins with three and each has thrown 63 innings this year. Lara started finding her groove at the Hy-Vee classic two weeks ago, at one point stringing together 13 straight scoreless innings.
After hosting Minot State, Mary plays eight of its next ten games on the road. The Marauders host Bemidji State on April 4. Following another midweek home game on April 12, the first weekend home series is April 14-15.
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