SHAWNEE - The Oklahoma Baptist softball team returns to the diamond this weekend as they open up Great American Conference play on the road in Alva with a four game series against Northwestern Oklahoma State beginning on Friday afternoon.
The Bison check in with a 4-8 record overall. After starting the year 0-5 in Las Vegas, OBU has gone 4-3 in non-conference play.Â
Pitching has been the key to getting back on track as
Katie Long has really impressed despite a 1-2 record. Long had a 2.91 ERA in 33.2 innings pitched to go with 37 strikeouts to only 15 walks. Long earned a complete game shutout in the over Pueblo last weekend in OKC.
Aspen Younce checks in with a 3-3 overall record in nine appearances. Younce has 34 strikeouts on the year to 17 walks. Both
Kayleigh Jones and
Bayle Short are expected to make appearances in the circle this weekend.
If OBU wants to be successful on the road, they'll need to find some offense after a tough weekend in Oklahoma City and Edmond. Katylyn Marsh leads the Bison with a .471 average including there doubles, a home run, and 10 RBI while
Jadyn James is hitting .405 with eight RBI.
Kylie Kawamura is sitting at .273 with eight runs scored and six RBI including three stolen bases while
Emily Richardson is batting .258 with nine runs scored. No other batter is over .200 thus far in the season.
The Rangers are led by Hannah Howell in the circle as she comes in with a 2-0 record and a 4.67 ERA in 21.0 innings pitched. Howell has 13 strikeouts to 11 walks. Six other pitchers have seen action for Northwestern, but the most of the group is Alli Willis with 5.2 innings pitched and a 9.88 ERA.
Offensively, Morgan La Neve leads the Rangers with a. .375 batting average and four RBI while Abby Detar and Taylor Zanca each come in with .357 averages and Alexus Bailey checks in at .353.
FIrst pitch of Friday's doubleheader will be at 3 p.m. while Saturday will get rolling with a 12 p.m. start time.
