EMPORIA, KS - The University of Mary softball team travels down to Emporia, KS, to compete in five games over three days. Pushed back a full day and with additional adjustments already made for the first morning, UMary (2-2) now opens on Saturday, February 17, against Maryville University at 12:15 pm before taking on Rockhurst University at 2:30 pm.

The Marauders compete in back-to-back games on Sunday, February 18, against Rockhurst University at 12:15 pm and host Emporia State University at 2:30 pm. UMary's final competition is on Monday, February 19, as the Marauders take on Emporia State University at 10:30 am.
 
HOW TO WATCH
Fans can watch the games against Emporia State here (PPV)
Fans can follow live stats against Emporia State here
 
LAST WEEK
The Marauders went 2-2 in their four games at Jamestown, ND. UMary defeated Dickinson State University 8-0 and Mayville State University 4-3. The Marauders dropped both of their games against the University of Jamestown, losing 9-1 and 1-0.
 
Hannah Chambers and Arria Johnson shined on the mound for the Marauders. Johnson pitched five shutout innings and struck out six batters in the Marauders victory over DSU. Chambers allowed only one unearned run over seven innings in UMary's 1-0 defeat to Jamestown.
 
Janelle Bergman went 7-for-13, giving her a .538 batting average and a 1.263 OPS. Bergman posted two doubles and five RBIs. Sariah Perez posted a .462 batting average after she went 6-for-13 with one triple. Perez has a 1.115 OPS and recorded four runs scored. Jenel Mallari went 5-for-12 with two walks, giving her a .500 on-base percentage and a 1.083 OPS.
 
THE STAFF
Amy Schmeckpeper enters her first year as the Marauders head softball coach. A Coach of the Year recipient, Schmeckpeper brings three seasons of collegiate head coaching experience to the Marauders plus a decade of coaching on collegiate diamonds.
 
Schmeckpeper joins UMary after three seasons as the head coach at Garden City (KS) Community College (GCCC), where she led the Broncbusters to a division title while earning league coaching honors in her first season. Schmeckpeper coached 17 All-Region athletes at GCCC, including an All-American. Additionally, she coached 13 All-Region players in five seasons as the associate head coach at Lamar (CO) Community College.
 
Kaitlyn Alvarado returns to UMary this season in her second year as an assistant coach. Alvarado was a standout player for the Marauders from 2019-2021, both in the circle and at the plate. She batted a career average of .288 and had a career slugging percentage of .413.
 
JANELLE BERGMAN NSIC Player to Watch
Bergman is the Marauders NSIC Player to Watch. A sophomore utility player from Tracy, CA, she had a strong first season at UMary in 2023. Primarily used as a shortstop, Bergmann was second on the team in hitting with a .306 batting average. She finished her freshman season with a .349 on-base percentage and a .355 slugging percentage while starting a team-high 41 games out of the 44 she played. Bergmann had six doubles, scored 14 times and drove in 11 runs.
 
"Nelly is one of our most athletic returners who will provide experience in key positions on the field," said Marauders head coach Amy Schmeckpeper. "She has grown both physically and mentally this fall as a result of her hard work and determination. I am excited to see how she performs this spring."
 
EMARI EVANS NSIC PITCHER TO WATCH
Evans enters her third season at UMary and is the Marauders NSIC Pitcher to Watch in 2024. A senior from Surprise, AZ, pitched 85.2 innings last season over the course of 30 appearances, including 14 starts. She finished 2-13 with two complete games.
 
"Emari will be one of our strongest pitchers this year," said Schmeckpeper. "She had an exceptional fall and worked hard to improve her skill set, while providing composure and experience on the mound. A leader for our program, Emari is a compassionate teammate and dedicated student-athlete. I am excited to see what this season has in store for her."
 
NOTABLE RETURNERS
Mckenzie Reinhardt returns to the Marauders as a senior middle infielder. Reinhardt made 35 starts in 2023 and produced a solid batting average of .292, while driving in 13 runs.
 
Nicole Eckhardt returns for her senior year. Eckhardt pitched 111.0 innings in 2023 and recorded a team-best 5.68 ERA. Finished the season with four wins and one save inside the circle. Led the team with 74 strikeouts.
 
Sariah Perez heads back for her junior season. Perez started 31 games in 2023. Recorded 27 hits to help produce a .284 batting average. Perez also finished with 3 home runs, 6 doubles, 2 triples, 21 RBIs, and 15 runs scored.
 
Francesca Villaneda returns for her sophomore season. Villaneda made 34 starts and 40 appearances as a true freshman. Villaneda finished as the Marauders top hitter in her rookie season with a .316 batting average.
 
Other returners include Natasha Stubbs, Janine Warne, Emily Schommer, Arria Johnson, Ariana Retuta, Jamison Ness, Kelsey Mischel and Hannah Chambers.
 
NEW FACES
Schmeckpeper brings in five new freshmen to the UMary softball program. Janel Mallari, Karadyn Fuller, Ariane Sims, Emma Kimberling, and Katelyn Falk look to make an impact in their true freshman season.
 
The Marauders are also bringing in three new transfers to the program. Keely Porter (Garden City Community College), Jaraya Diaz (Garden City Community College) and Whitney Carnes (Shasta College) look to make great contributions in their first seasons at UMary. 
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