Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney softball team, currently with 6,600 miles traveled, hits the road again this weekend, beginning a stretch of six games in a four-day span.
UNK is at Washburn Friday, Emporia State Saturday and hosts Central Oklahoma in a makeup double dip on Monday. Check the
Loper schedule page for first pitch times, possible changes and media links.
The Ichabods (18-23, 5-7) are 5-3 in Topeka this spring and are coming off a road double header split at rival Emporia last Saturday.
An offense averaging four runs per game features senior outfielder and ESU transfer Erica Harper (.365, nine doubles, seven HR's and 23 RBI's) and sophomore infielder Savannah Moore (.331, 10 doubles, six HR's and 23 RBI's). Junior outfielder Jordan Erickson also has some power (11 doubles and five HR's).
Five 'Bods have been in the circle, led by junior Kelsee Henry (8-11, 3.26 ERA, 12 CG's) and sophomore southpaw Ashley Wills (8-5, 3.82 ERA, 13 starts). Last year at Dryden, UNK swept WU by scores of 7-6 and 7-0.
The Hornets (23-17, 8-4), which face Fort Hays State Friday, will have "Senior Day" on Saturday. They enter the weekend with an 8-2 home record and currently are in fourth place in the MIAA.
E-State is led by senior pitcher Erin Stockman (15-7, 1.75 ERA, seven shut outs) and senior infielder Sarah Glass (.348, 13 doubles, four HR's and 21 RBI's). Emporia also has swiped 75 bases with four players having between 10 and 17.
A day after beating the 'Bods, UNK swept the Hornets, 11-3 and 3-2, last April at home. The Lopers tagged Stockman with a game one loss by having 13 hits in just 3.1 innings.
In 2017, Kearney has one true road win, a 12-2 decision last week at Lindenwood. The Lopers also had one road victory in 2016 (4-2 at Missouri Southern State).
Currently, three of the top four hitters by average are true freshman; outfielder
Nicole Spykstra (.350), catcher
Alexis Howe (.280) and infielder
Macey Nelson (.269). Another first-year player, pitcher/infielder
Sara Sempek, has two doubles, two HR's and eight RBI's.
Spykstra (Chandler, Ariz.) and junior left fielder
Taylre Keenan (Ralston) are the only Lopers to have started all 40 games this year. The pair have combined for 95 put outs and six assists in the field and 16 of UNK's 42 doubles.
After Monday's game with the Bronchos (29-7,9-3), UNK remains home to face NW Missouri State (Fri.) and Missouri Western State (Sat.). UCO hosts SW Baptist and Central Missouri before coming to Kearney.
