2022 Starts in Northwest Texas

2/10/2022 6:40:00 AM

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney softball team starts the 2022 season this weekend at the Visit Lubbock Collegiate Classic in Texas.

The three-day tournament finds the Lopers playing two games Friday (vs. Colorado Mines and at Lubblock Christian), two on Saturday (vs. Colo.-Colo. Springs and Chadron State) and one on Sunday morning (vs. Colorado Christian). Weather will be dry all weekend but a bit cooler on Saturday.

The LCU Chaparrals are the host schools with games being played at PlainsCapital Park (LCU), Lubbock Christian School (Mines, Springs & Chadron) and Lubbock-Cooper High School (Christina). Live stats are available for each game with a live stream available for the LCU contest on Saturday afternoon. (LIVE LINKS)

Third-year head coach Katie Ackermann has a veteran team as the top nine hitters off last year's squad return. In the circle, three must be replaced but three return and they combined for 153 innings in 2021. A 12-player newcomer class features one transfer and 11 freshmen.

UNK went 17-25 (8-18 MIAA) last year, playing 21 true road games and 11 at neutral sites. The Lopers ended on a three-game win streak which included a 6-5 (8 inning) victory against national power Central Oklahoma. In the preseason national rankings, the league is represented by UCO (20th), Central Missouri (25th) and Rogers State (receiving votes).

Having a 13-3 mark when scoring at least six runs, UNK finished up at .299 with 73 doubles, eight triples and 35 home runs. Five Lopers hit at least .300 led by outfielder Carlee Liesch (.366) and infielder Abbie Vodicka (.356). Vodicka had a team-high 16 doubles, Liesch had a team-best 12 steals with catcher/infielder Katie Gosker smacking a team-best 10 dingers. All three were named to the 2021 All-MIAA team as was outfielder/designated player Abbie Jo Gaube. She batted .342 to rank third in average while being tied for the team lead in walks (14).

Right handers Kelsey Goodban (68.1 IP, nine wins and one save) and Hannah Ice (58.2 IP, two wins and nine complete games) return in the circle as does southpaw Madison Rosenthal (26.0 IP and seven starts). Goodban led UNK in K's (60), Ice had a two-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio with Rosenthal combining on the Lopers lone shutout last spring.

UNK heads to Oklahoma City next weekend to play five games over three days.

LCC Opponent Information
Colorado School of Mines Orediggers
2022 Record: 0-4
2022 Preseason Coaches' Poll Rank: T-4th of 12
2021 Record/Conference: 22-15-1 (20-10-1 RMAC)

Lubbock Christian U. Chaparrals
2022 Record: 2-2
2022 Preseason Coaches' Poll Rank: 7th of 16
2021 Record/Conference: 29-17 (17-13 LSC)

U. of Colorado-Colorado Springs Mountain Lions
2022 Record: 1-1
2022 Preseason Coaches' Poll Rank: 6th of 12
2021 Record/Conference: 17-25 (16-22 RMAC)

Chadron State College Eagles
2022 Record: 0-0
2022 Preseason Coaches' Poll Rank: 9th of 12
2021 Record/Conference: 13-27 (13-23 RMAC)

Colorado Christian U. Cougars
2022 Record: 4-0
2022 Preseason Coaches' Poll Rank: 2 of 12; 1 first-place vote
2021 Record/Conference: 29-13 (25-8 RMAC)

Print Friendly Version