Lopers Vs. Texas this Weekend

Softball 2/4/2021 2:11:00 PM

Lopers Vs. Texas this Weekend

Kearney, Neb. – For the first time in 329 days the Nebraska-Kearney softball will see another team across the diamond.

The Lopers open up the 2021 season at the Lubbock (Texas) Christian Invitational with two games set for Friday and Saturday. UNK was at this tournament a year ago, posting a 3-3 mark over three days.

Head coach Katie Ackermann saw her first season as Loper skipper come to a screeching halt on March 12, 2020, due to the COVID pandemic. UNK was 13-13 at the time; the last game came in Tahlequah, Okla., and was a 1-0 loss to Northeastern State.

Kearney will face four Texas schools from the Lone Star Conference (LSC) this weekend. The first three games will be held at Lubbock High School with live stats available for each; check the Loper schedule page for game links. The weekend finale against tourney host LCU will be at the Chapparals Field and feature live stats and a free live video stream. Check the UNK Softball Facebook page for a live stream of the first three contests.

The Lopers will see Midwestern State (4 p.m.) and Texas-Permian Basin (6 p.m.) on Friday and West Texas A&M (11 a.m.) and nationally-ranked LCU (3 p.m.) on Saturday. Last year in Lubbock UNK beat MSU, 9-3, and UTPB, 8-7, while falling to the Chaps, 5-4.

The majority of the 2020 roster returns led by junior outfielder Carlee Liesch (.430, two home runs, 18 steals & 16 RBI's), junior infielder Haleigh Hoefs (.387 & seven RBI's) and junior first baseman Hailey Schaneman (.377, two HR's & 19 RBI's). Liesch and Hoefs are both Lincoln Pius X graduate who earned 2019 all-region honors with Schaneman joining them as one 14 upperclassmen on the roster.

Five of the top six pitchers are back led by senior Sarah Handrahan (2-0 & 2.51 ERA), junior Kelsey Goodban (3-0 & 4.13 ERA) and senior Melissa Gellermann (2-3, 4.97 ERA & 38.0 innings). UNK added junior college transfer Hannah Ice to the circle as well.

Weather permitting UNK heads to Oklahoma City and Edmond, Okla., next weekend to face LSC-member Oklahoma Christian and three schools from the Great American Conference (Arkansas Tech, East Central, and Oklahoma Baptist).

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Players Mentioned

#25 Sarah Handrahan: P; 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R

#17 Carlee Liesch: OF; 5' 8"; Freshman; L/R

#22 Melissa Gellermann: P; 5' 8"; Senior; R/R

#21 Kelsey Goodban: P; 5' 9"; Junior; R/R

#9 Hailey Schaneman: 1B; 5' 9"; Junior; R/R

#16 Hannah Ice: P; 5' 4"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#25 Sarah Handrahan
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R
: P

#17 Carlee Liesch
: 5' 8"; Freshman; L/R
: OF

#22 Melissa Gellermann
: 5' 8"; Senior; R/R
: P

#21 Kelsey Goodban
: 5' 9"; Junior; R/R
: P

#9 Hailey Schaneman
: 5' 9"; Junior; R/R
: 1B

#16 Hannah Ice
: 5' 4"; Junior; R/R
: P