Washburn Lady Blues Weekly Notes

Warm ups . . .
The Washburn Lady Blues softball returns to action this weekend when they will face Lincoln in MIAA action in Jefferson City on Friday then travel to St. Charles, Mo., to take on future MIAA opponent Lindenwood in non-conference action the following day. Washburn is coming off a 4-2 week after sweeping Southwest Baptist and splitting with Central Missouri and Wayne State.

Last week's action . . .
March 16 vs Southwest Baptist
TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Washburn Lady Blues evened their MIAA record at 2-2 after picking up a sweep over Southwest Baptist winning the opener 6-5 in 12 innings while taking a 6-0 shutout win in the nightcap.
In the first game which lasted nearly three hours, Washburn's Katie Schoroeder singled scoring Kristen Bell for the winning run in the 6-5 victory. Schroeder finished the game 2 for 6 with the game-winning RBI while scoring a run and walking once in six at bats. Lindsey Moore picked up the win for the Lady Blues pitching all 12 innings recording two strikeouts allowing two earned runs. Washburn took the early lead on an RBI single by Bell in the second inning scoring Britny Cushing who scored twice for Washburn. The Bearcats tied the score in the third on a home run by Autumn Lamle. SBU took the lead scoring two in the fourth, but Washburn came back to tie the score with two runs in the fourth inning when Alex Zordel singled and then Shelby Erickson drew a bases-loaded walk. Neither team would score until SBU picked up two runs in the top of the 12th, but Washburn responded with three in the bottom of the inning to take the win. Erin Macaronas grounded out to pick up an RBI when Erickson scored after being placed on second with the international tie breaker. Kristen Bell singled scoring Cushing setting up Schroeder's game-winning hit.  Cushing had three hits as did Bell and Kacy Covert.
In the second game, Washburn scored solo runs in the first, second and sixth innings while adding three in the third while Kayla Oldham held the Bearcats to two hits while striking out five for the 6-0 win. Schroeder was hit leading off the game and scored on an RBI single by Erickson. In the second, Bell scored on a wild pitch to put Washburn up 2-0. In the third inning, Washburn scored three times. Cushing tripled to left scoring Erickson who led off the inning with a walk. Covert then drove in two with a single to the right side sending Bell and Oldham home with Washburn runs. Washburn added one more in the sixth inning when Cushing drove in Erickson with a single up the middle. Cushing finished with three hits and 2 RBI while Covert also drove in two.
March 17 vs Central Missouri'
TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Washburn Lady Blues softball team drew a split with Central Missouri falling in the first game 8-0 before rebounding to take the second game 10-0 in five innings.
In the opener, Washburn was limited to three hits by Sarah Espy who struck out two and walked a pair. The Lady Blues had hits by Lindsey Moore, Alex Zordel and Britny Cushing. The Jennies took advantage of three Washburn errors helping the Jennies with three unearned runs. Moore took the loss after pitching 12 innings on Friday against Soutwest Baptist falling to 3-4 on the season. She scattered seven hits allowing three earned runs.
The second game was a scoreless contest until the Lady Blues scored nine of their 10 runs in the bottom of the third inning on five hits. Washburn was aided by two Jennies errors along with two hit batters. Moore led off the inning with a sinlge and moved to second after Cushing walked. Erickson singled to third loading the bases and Kristen Bell drew a bases-loaded walk. Paige Hightower was hit while batting picking up an RBI. Haley Heincker was hit by a pitch as well. After a pitching chance, Bell scored on a failed pickoff throw. Kacy Covert singled on a bunt and Katie Schroeder singled to center driving in one run. With the bases still loaded Moore walked driving in one. Alex Zordel reached on a fielder's choice when the shortstop's throw home was wide left scoring Schroeder. Cushing singled to pick up an RBI. After a scoreless fourth, Washburn added one more in the fourth on a sac fly by Schroeder. Kayla Oldham picked up the one-hit shutout striking out two Jennies throwing 75 pitches in the win. Covert finished 3 for 3 with a run scored and a stolen base.
March 18 vs Wayne State
WAYNE, Neb. -- The Washburn Lady Blues split a non-conference doubleheader with Wayne State (Neb.) falling 9-5 in the opener and rallying to win the second game 2-1.
Washburn jumped on the board first in the opener when the Lady Blues hit back-to-back home runs by Lindsey Moore and Alex Zordel to take a 2-0 lead. Wayne State (10-8) rallied to score four in the second inning to take a 4-2 lead and then added two more in the third pushing its lead to four. Britny Cushing led off the fifth inning with a home run to cut the Wildcat lead to three at 6-3, but WSC added three in the fifth. The Lady Blues added two in the six inning on an RBI double by Katie Schroeder and a double by Cushing but Washburn would get no closer. Kayla Oldham (3-7) too the loss allowing five earned runs stiking out two. Cushing had three hits driving in two and Schroeder and Moore each collected two hits.
In the second game, neither team scored until the fourth inning until the Wildcats put a solo run on the board in the frame. Washburn scored its frist run in the top of the sixth on a sac fly by Kristin Bell scoring Zordel to tie the score. Moore collected the game-winning RBI with a ground out to third sending Erin Macaronas home who led off the inning with a single. Moore worked around a lead off single to record the win in the circle improving to 4-4 on the season allowing the one run. Macaronas had two hits along with Kacy Covert.

Upcoming opponents. . .
Lincoln -  The Blue Tigers are 7-19 overall and 1-3 in MIAA play entering a March 21st doubleheader with Rockhurst prior to playing Washburn on Friday. Lauren McMinn is batting .351 to lead the Blue Tigers. Clair Lorenz has a 3.13 ERA going 2-4 this season in the circle. Washburn leads the all-time series 19-3.
Lindenwood -  The Lions are 6-13 this season and will take on McKendree on Wednesday and then Fort Hays State on Friday before taking on the Lady Blues on Saturday. The Lady Blues beat the Lions earlier this season 8-2 in Joplin. With the win earlier this season, Washburn leads the all-time series 1-0.

Lady Blues player notes. . .
#1  • Britny Cushing  • UT • R/R • 5-4 • Sr.  • Topeka, Kan. • Seaman   
Batted .600 last week with 12 hits in 20 at bats driving in five runs and scoring four runs.

#3  • Kristen Bell  • C • R/R • 5-8 • Fr.  • Lawrence, Kan. • Lawrence
Has caught all 20 games so far this season batting .236 with seven RBI.
 
#4  • Katie Schroeder  • 2B • L/R • 5-2 • So.  • Osage City, Kan. • Osage City
Had the game-winning RBI against SBU in the 12-inning, 6-5 win.

#6  • Erin Macaronas  • IF • R/R • 5-5 • Jr.  • Coffeyville, Kan. • Field Kindley • Coffeyville CC
Recorded her first three collegiate hits last week batting .231 with an RBI and a run scored.

#7  • Kacy Covert  • OF • L/R • 5-5 • Sr.  • Topeka, Kan. • Shawnee Heights • Butler County CC
Leads the team with a .358 batting average collecting 19 hits - all singles.

#8  • Kayla Oldham  • P • R/R • 5-5 • Fr.  • Derby, Kan. • Derby
Was 2-1 last week with a 1.94 ERRA with two complete-game shutouts.

#9  • Haley Heincker  • 2B/OF • R/R • 5-2 • Jr.  • Derby, Kan. • Derby  • Cowley County
Scored two runs last week and is batting .225 this season.

#10  • Cori Munoz  • P/3B • R/R • 5-3 • Fr.  • Topeka, Kan. • Seaman  
Made on appearance last week in the circle.

#13  • Lindsey Moore  • IF/P • R/R • 5-7 • Sr.  • Edmond, Okla. • Edmond Memorial  
Was 2-1 in the circle with a 1.96 ERA as Washburn was 4-2 during the week. She also batted .318 with seven hits driving in three and scoring three.

#14  • Mallorie Monhollon  • UT • B/R • 5-8 • Fr.  • Topeka, Kan. • Shawnee Heights   
Second on the team with 11 RBI.

#15  • Leah Garland  • 1B/3B • R/R • 5-6 • Fr.  • Osage City, Kan. • Osage City
Saw first action of the season against Wayne State.  

#17  • Paige Hightower  • 1B/C • R/R • 6-1 • So.  • Chickasha, Okla. • Chickasha
Picked up an RBI against Central Missouri after being hit by a pitch.  

#22  • Shelby Erickson  • SS • R/R • 5-6 • So.  • Perry, Kan. • Perry-Lecompton  
Scored four runs last week while driving in two.

#23  • Alex Zordel  • 1B • R/R • 5-7 • Jr.  • Baldwin City, Kan. • Baldwin   
Batted .316 last week with six hits and a home run scoring while scoring two runs.

In the dugout . . .
Vanessa Becerra was named the Washburn Lady Blues head softball coach on Aug. 3, 2011 after spending four seasons at Metro State in Denver, Colo., with the final season coming as the head coach. At Washburn she is 7-13 and overall Becerra has recorded a 41-31 mark in her second year as a head coach.
In her lone season as the head coach at Metro State, Becerra led the Roadrunners the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference regular season championship while advancing to the NCAA regional tournament for the third straight season.

Blue Notes. . .
The 50 at bats against SBU on March 16 was a school record … Kristen Bell, Kacy Covert, Paige Hightower and Katie Schroeder tied a school record with their six at bats against SBU - a record which has been duplicated 15 other times … Lindsey Moore became the first Lady Blue to toss 12 innings since Ashley Perkins did in 2003.

Alumni reunion planned . . .
Looking to get former Lady Blues involved with the softball program, head coach Vanessa Becerra has planned an Alumni Day on April 7, 2012 when the Lady Blues will face Central Oklahoma at 1 p.m. Details will be posted both in the weekly releases as well as online at www.wusports.com as they become available.

Lady Blues softball history. . .
The Lady Blues are 1022-724-1 in their 43rd year of softball. The Lady Blues have made three NCAA Tournament appearances (1999, 2006, 2008) while winning the 2002 regular season MIAA title.

Up Next . . .
Washburn returns home on March 28 to face Ottawa in non-conference action and then return to MIAA with road contests at Emporia State on March 30 and Missouri Western on March 31.