THIS WEEK
The University of Mary softball team will play on campus for the first time this season when they host Minnesota Crookston on Wednesday, April 10 at 2 PM and 4 PM. They will then hit the road for doubleheaders against Augustana and Wayne State over the weekend. They take on Augie on Saturday, April 13 at 1 PM and 3 PM followed by WSC on Sunday, April 14 at 12 PM and 2 PM.
 
THE RECORD
UMary comes into this weeks games with a 13-19 overall record, going 4-8 in NSIC play.
  
LAST TIME OUT
The last time the Marauders took to the field was for six conference games. The Marauders started the week out hot, taking two wins over Northern State in the sweep. The Marauders then dropped two games at both SCSU and UMD. Brieann Backes recorded a career high of 10 strikeouts in her start against SCSU. She also pitched a shutout in her win over NSU. Paige Matsuki has knocked in a homerun in each of the last three games.
 
OPPO RESEARCH – MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
The Golden Eagles come into the game against the Marauders with a 13-23 record, going 2-10 so far in conference play. UMC's two conference wins have come against Sioux Falls and Northern State. The Golden Eagles 13 wins is a school record. Malia Pula leads the way for UMC with a .317 batting average, recording a team high of 38 hits and nine doubles on the season. Paige Pitlick leads UMC from the mound with a 2.94 ERA and a 6-13 record. She has 81 strikeouts on the season.
 
 
OPPO RESEARCH – AUGUSTANA
Augie currently ranks twelfth in the nation. The Vikings boast a 32-6 record, going 12-1 in NSIC play. Their lone conference loss came against #21 Winona State. Eight of the Vikings usual starters have a batting average over .300 with Kara McDougall leading the way with a .500 batting average. Augie has three talented pitchers at their disposal as well.
 
 
OPPO RESEARCH – WAYNE STATE
The Wildcats come into this week with a 9-22 record, going 0-14 in NSIC play. Abbie Hix leads the team with a .371 batting average and 23 hits. Makenna Adkinson leads the team from the mound with a 4.84 ERA and a 6-8 record.
 
 
STRIKE THREE YOU'RE OUT
The Marauders have struck out 115 batters so far this season. Brieann Backes leads the team with 68 strikeouts. The Marauders senior recorded a career high of 10 strikeouts against St. Cloud State.
 
BUH-BYE
Four different Marauders have three or more homers so far this season. Kylie Alto leads the way with six. Right behind her is Paige Matsuki and Haley Berube, each with four. Emma Noble adds three 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 four. Rebekkah Keller adds three of her own.
 
SEND EM HOME
Six Marauders have double-digit RBIs on the season. Haley Berube leads the team with 24. Emma Noble (20), Kasidy Chileen (20), Kylie Alto (20), Paige Matsuki (17), and Kaitlyn Alvarado (13) all join Berube in the double figures.
 
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 43 hits on the season. Kasidy Chileen (35) and Paige Matsuki (34) join Keller in recording 30 or more hits so far this season.
 
DOUBLE THE FUN
UMary has recorded 47 doubles this year. Noble leads the way with ten. Berube (9) and Alvarado (8) are right behind her.
 
THEIVERY
Rebekkah Keller is a thief on the bases, recording a team high of thirteen stolen bases.
 
NSIC RANKINGS

• Kaitlyn Alvarado is fifth in the NSIC in on base percentage (.495)
• Rebekkah Keller is seventh in the NSIC in hits (43)
• Mariah Sanchez is second in the NSIC in triples (4)
• Rebekkah Keller is tied for fifth in the NSIC in triples (3)
• Kylie Alto is eighth in the NSIC in homeruns (6)
• Emma Noble is seventh in the NSIC in doubles (10)
• Brieann Backes is eighth in the NSIC in strikeouts (68)
• Brieann Backes is seventh in the NSIC in wins (9)
• Kasidy Chileen is fourth in the NSIC in putouts (195)
• Paige Matsuki is third in the NSIC in assists (79)
• Paige Matsuki is fifth in the NSIC in fielding double plays (7)
• Rachael Laetsch leads the NSIC in catching runners stealing (12)

 
BEK TELEVISION
BEK will be televising the Marauders doubleheader against Minnesota Crookston on Wednesday, April 10 at 2 PM and 4 PM. Game coverage will also be provided at goumary.com/coverage
 
 
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#