THIS WEEK
The University of Mary softball team is ready to host Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls this Friday and Saturday. UMary battles SMSU on Friday, April 19 at 1 PM and 3 PM. They follow that up with a doubleheader against Sioux Falls on Saturday, April 20 at 11 AM and 1 PM. UMary Softball will host a Pediatric Cancer Awareness Game against SMSU. The Marauders will then honor their three seniors on Saturday for Senior Day!
 
THE RECORD
UMary comes into this weeks games with a 17-23 overall record, going 8-12 in NSIC play.
  
LAST TIME OUT
The last time the Marauders took to the field was for six conference games. The Marauders went 4-4 on the week, sweeping UMC and splitting the series with WSC and MSUM. The Marauders dropped two games at #11 Augie. Kaitlyn Alvarado and Emma Noble each hit two homeruns and two doubles on the week. Brieann Backes, Madison Jahner, and Kaitlyn Alvarado all picked up wins on the week.  
 
SENIOR TRIBUTE
The University of Mary softball team has three very talented seniors on their team that will be honored on Saturday for Senior Day. The seniors that will be honored are: 
 
#1 | Paige Matsuki | Shortstop | Waimanalo, Hawaii
Matsuki has had a tremendous two year career with UMary. In her two years with the Marauders she ranks eighth all time in slugging percentage (.502) and ninth all time in double plays turned (15)
 
#8 | Kylie Alto | Second Base | Beaverton, Oregon
Alto has had a great career for the Marauders both at the plate and in the field. She is the Marauders all time leader in assists (372) and is seventh in homeruns (19)
 
#11 | Brieann Backes | Pitcher | Minot, ND
Backes has been a force on the mound her whole career for the Marauders. She ranks first all time in appearances and innings pitched. She sits in third in wins (34), fourth in strikeouts (257) and sixth in shutouts (5). With ten games remaining in the regular season, Backes has a chance to climb even higher on the all time record board. 
 
OPPO RESEARCH – SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE
SMSU comes into the game against the Marauders with a 15-17 record and a 10-10 record in NSIC play. The Mustangs are led by Emma Grote who has a slash line of .418/.459/.519. Athena Golling leads the team from the mound with a 2.67 era and a 9-8 record. The Mustangs are a streaky team, starting conference play on a six game winning streak before losing ten straight. The Mustangs are currently on a four game winning streak. 
 
 
OPPO RESEARCH – SIOUX FALLS
 Sioux Falls comes into the weekend with a 20-21 record going 10-10 in NSIC play. The Cougars are led by Emily Hove who has 46 hits, eight doubles, and nine homeruns. USF is led by Courtney Mathews on the mound. Matthews has a 7-7 record and a 4.26 era
 
 
STRIKE THREE YOU'RE OUT
The Marauders have struck out 129 batters so far this season. Brieann Backes leads the team with 74 strikeouts. The Marauders senior recorded a career high of 10 strikeouts against St. Cloud State.
 
BUH-BYE
Four different Marauders have four or more homers so far this season. Kylie Alto leads the way with seven. Right behind her is Emma Noble and Haley Berube, each with five. Paige Matsuki adds four of her own.
 
WHEELS
Triples are hard to come by, it takes great ball placement and speed to get all the way to third. Mariah Sanchez has proven to be an expert when it comes to triples, recording a team high of five. Rebekkah Keller adds three of her own.
 
SEND EM HOME
Four Marauders have over 20 RBIs on the season. Haley Berube leads the team with 31. Emma Noble (24), Kasidy Chileen (26), Kylie Alto (20) all join Berube in the 20 plus RBIs.
 
PUTTING THE BALL IN PLAY
Putting the ball into play is of the utmost importance and the Marauders excel at it. The Marauders average over eight hits per game as a team. Keller leads the way with 52 hits on the season. Kasidy Chileen (42), Paige Matsuki (38), Haley Berube (37), Kaitlyn Alvarado (37) join Keller in recording 30 or more hits so far this season.
 
DOUBLE THE FUN
UMary has recorded 58 doubles this year. Noble leads the way with 12. Berube (11) and Alvarado (10) are right behind her.
 
THEIVERY
Rebekkah Keller is a thief on the bases, recording a team high of 17 stolen bases.
 
NSIC RANKINGS
•   Rebekkah Keller is eighth in the NSIC in hits (52)
•   Mariah Sanchez is third in the NSIC in triples (5)
•   Rebekkah Keller is tied for fifth in the NSIC in triples (3)
•   Emma Noble is seventh in the NSIC in doubles (12)
•   Brieann Backes is tenth in the NSIC in wins (10)
•   Kasidy Chileen is second in the NSIC in putouts (257)
•   Paige Matsuki is second in the NSIC in assists (99)
•   Paige Matsuki is eighth in the NSIC in fielding double plays (8)
•   Rachael Laetsch leads the NSIC in catching runners stealing (14)
 
 
 
NSIC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kasidy Chileen earned NSIC player of the week honors for her performance at the Minot Dome Tournament. Chileen posted a .571 batting average after going 8-of-14 with six RBIs and two runs scored over the four games. The Brooklyn Center, Minnesota native also had a double and a walk on the week as well.
  

#Marauders#