SHAWNEE – Oklahoma Baptist (2-4) is back in action on Friday and Saturday with four games during the Central Oklahoma/Oklahoma Christian Classic.
On Feb. 7, the Bison play UCO at Gerry Pinkston Stadium at 12:45 p.m before a 5:15 contest with Rogers State at the same venue. A day later, OBU will be on OC's campus to face Western New Mexico at 12:45 before a 5:15 matchup with OC. Those contests will be played at Lawson Softball Complex at Tom Heath Field.
Be sure to check the tournament homepage linked above for important info regarding live coverage and ticketing.
Below are notes on all four teams, starting with the Bison.
OBU Notes
- A trip to the Branson Lead-Off Classic resulted in a 2-4 record for the Bison.
- OBU's wins came over Drury and Upper Iowa by 5-1 and 4-3 scores, respectively.
- The Bison's pitching stood out in Missouri. As of this writing, the team's 8.26 strikeouts per seven innings leads the GAC and ranks 14th in D2.
- Plus, OBU posted a 1.79 team ERA. That's No. 25 nationally and fourth in the league.
- Jaycee Shaffer led the charge on this front. She's 35th in strikeouts per seven frames (9.2) and 25th overall with 17 punchouts.
- Offensively, OBU struggled. They attained a .204 batting average through the six games which represents the lowest average in the GAC.
- One positive was along the base paths. The Bison averaged 2.83 stolen bases, the No. 18 mark in Division II.
- Leading that department was Sammie Greene. She has seven stolen bags so far, No. 3 in the nation and first in the conference.
Bronchos Notes
- UCO had an impressive showing in Gulf Shores, Ala., going 4-0. That included wins over NFCA preseason ranked Lenoir-Rhyne (4th) and Auburn-Montgomery (6th).
- The Bronchos' .400 batting average is tenth in the nation while their 46 hits are 33rd.
- Plus, UCO's on-base percentage of .470 is No. 12 in the country while its three triples are slotted 17th.
- Brooklyn Ryan was sensational, batting .692 last week. That's No. 15 in the nation.
- Former Bison player Kennedy Clark drove in seven RBI in Gulf Shores. That's currently a top-40 NCAA mark. She also bat .545 last week.
- In the circle, Sydney Ward dialed up 13 strikeouts in 10.0 innings pitched. Her strikeout total is fourth in the MIAA and 52nd in D2.
Hillcats Notes
- Like UCO, Rogers State also competed down in Gulf Shores, Ala., and attained a 2-3 record.
- Offensively, Rogers drew 18 walks, the No. 31 total in the country and fourth in the MIAA.
- The Hillcats' next best mark is seven stolen bases. That's 58th in Division II.
- Callie Yellin dialed up three doubles last week. In the MIAA that's first and 20th nationally.
- In the circle, Harley Culie made four appearances in Gulf Shores, ranking 17th in the country. Teammate Jade Sanders earned three starts as well, the No. 10 mark in D2.
- As a team, Rogers hit .252 last week. That's eighth in the MIAA and 127th nationally.
Mustangs Notes
- Western New Mexico is off to a 3-2 record after last weekend's South Central Regional Tournament in Los Lunas, New Mexico.
- In WNMU's three wins, they scored at least seven runs and reached 10 twice.
- The Mustangs hit five homers last week which currently rank tenth in the nation.
- Plus, the team's 8.0 scoring average is No. 14 in D2 while their four triples are No. 7.
- Furthermore, WNMU's team batting average of .338 in No. 36 in the country.
- Leading that individually is Madeline Bleak who has a .538 average and .846 slugging mark.
- Kaylee Hickman has hit two homers and driven in six.
- In the circle, Sophia Solana has the staff's best ERA at 1.62. Overall, though, WNMU has registered just 11 strikeouts in 31.1 innings pitched.
Eagles Notes
- OC started the season 3-1 after competing at the Gulf Shores Softball Invitational. That included a win over a Nova Southeastern (FL) team that received votes in the initial NFCA poll.
- The Eagles' defense was outstanding in those games. There were 111 chances and OC did not commit a single error.
- Plus, OC's staff generated 7.57 strikeouts per seven innings. That's good for 17th in the country.
- Also of note, Oklahoma Christian dialed up 10 doubles, the No. 25 mark in D2.
- Maci George cranked out three doubles in Alabama which slots her 20th nationally.
- George also batted .600, a top-50 NCAA mark.
- Pitching wise, Grace Anderson was outstanding for OC. Her four appearances rank No. 17 in D2 while her two saves are slotted second.
- Plus, Anderson's 18 strikeouts are No. 22 in the nation while her 0.55 walks allowed per seven frames is slotted 45th.
