Washburn Lady Blues Weekly Notes

Warm ups . . .
The Lady Blues will step out of tournament and invitational play as they will open the MIAA slate at Fort Hays State on March 16. The Lady Blues are coming off a 2-2 weekend at the Zenner Memorial Tournament in Joplin, Mo., hosted by Missouri Southern. Fort Hays State is 11-5 entering a doubleheader with Southwestern Oklahoma on Wednesday afternoon on the road. Following the conference-opener with the Tigers, the Lady Blues will have their home opener on March 16 when they will face Southwest Baptist. Washburn will host Central Missouri the following day at the Washburn Softball Complex.

Last week's action . . .
JOPLIN, Mo. -- The Washburn Lady Blues softball team went 2-2 in weekend action at the Teri (Mathis) Zenner Memorial Tournament in Joplin, Mo. The Lady Blues will open MIAA action this weekend when they will face Fort Hays State on Saturday, March 10.
The Lady Blues (2-7) topped Lindenwood 8-2 on March 3 in their first game. Katie Schroeder and Britny Cushing each had two hits and Cushing drove in two in the win. Lindsey Moore picked up the win allowing two earned runs.
In the second game on Friday, the Lady Blues were topped by Central Oklahoma 16-2 in five innings. UCO broke open an 8-2 game scoring eight runs in the fourth inning. Mallorie Monhollon drove in both runs in the bottom of the first with a single.
On Sunday, the Lady Blues fell 7-5 in eight innings to St. Edward's. The Hilltoppers scored three runs in the eighth inning for the win. Moore had three hits and Cushing scored two runs.
In the final game on Sunday, the Lady Blues beat St. Mary's  6-4. Washburn took an early lead with four runs in the top of the first and added two more in the fourth inning. Paige Hightower had two of Washburn's five hits while driving in a run. Moore picked up the win scattering eight hits allowing three earned runs.
For the weekend, Lindsey Moore led the team with a .417 batting average collecting five hits while scoring four runs. Britney Cushing also scored four runs and Shelby Erickson and Mallorie Monhollon each drove in four. Moore picked up both wins going 2-0 with a 3.50 earned run average pitching 18 innings in three appearances.

Upcoming opponents. . .
Fort Hays State-  The Tigers are 11-5 this season prior to Wednesday's doubleheader with Southwestern Oklahoma on the road. Fort Hays State is 2-0 in home games sweeping a pair of games from Panhandle State on March 6. As a team the Tigers are batting .302 while recoring a 3.75 team earned run average. Maddie Holub leads the team with a .396 batting average and a 2.65 ERA going 6-4 in the circle for the Tigers.

Lady Blues player notes. . .
#1  • Britny Cushing  • UT • R/R • 5-4 • Sr.  • Topeka, Kan. • Seaman   
Was 3 for 10 last weekend driving in two runs with a home run while scoring four runs.

#3  • Kristen Bell  • C • R/R • 5-8 • Fr.  • Lawrence, Kan. • Lawrence
Has collected eight hits scoring five runs with three RBI this season.
 
#4  • Katie Schroeder  • 2B • L/R • 5-2 • So.  • Osage City, Kan. • Osage City
Second on the team with three multiple-hit games this season.

#6  • Erin Macaronas  • IF • R/R • 5-5 • Jr.  • Coffeyville, Kan. • Field Kindley • Coffeyville CC
Has appeared in three games scoring a run against Southeastern Oklahoma entering the game as a pinch runner.

#7  • Kacy Covert  • OF • L/R • 5-5 • Sr.  • Topeka, Kan. • Shawnee Heights • Butler County CC
Has started all 12 games collecting six hits in 28 at bats.

#8  • Kayla Oldham  • P • R/R • 5-5 • Fr.  • Derby, Kan. • Derby
Leads the team with 15 strikeouts.

#9  • Haley Heincker  • 2B/OF • R/R • 5-2 • Jr.  • Derby, Kan. • Derby  • Cowley County
Had her six-game hitting streak snapped against Central Oklahoma last weekend.  

#10  • Cori Munoz  • P/3B • R/R • 5-3 • Fr.  • Topeka, Kan. • Seaman  
Has started four games in the circle making eight appearances overall.  

#13  • Lindsey Moore  • IF/P • R/R • 5-7 • Sr.  • Edmond, Okla. • Edmond Memorial  
Third on the team with nine hits and second with eight runs scored.

#14  • Mallorie Monhollon  • UT • B/R • 5-8 • Fr.  • Topeka, Kan. • Shawnee Heights   
Leads the team with 11 RBI and two home runs.

#15  • Leah Garland  • 1B/3B • R/R • 5-6 • Fr.  • Osage City, Kan. • Osage City
Has not appeared in any games this season.  

#17  • Paige Hightower  • 1B/C • R/R • 6-1 • So.  • Chickasha, Okla. • Chickasha
Batting .333 collecting two hits in six at bats.  

#22  • Shelby Erickson  • SS • R/R • 5-6 • So.  • Perry, Kan. • Perry-Lecompton  
Second on the team with 5 RBI.

#23  • Alex Zordel  • 1B • R/R • 5-7 • Jr.  • Baldwin City, Kan. • Baldwin   
Leading the team with a .359 batting average collecting 14 hits and 3 RBI.

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 3-9 and overall Becerra has recorded a 37-27 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.

Lady Blues softball history. . .
The Lady Blues are 1018-718-1 in their 43rd year of softball.

Up Next . . .
Following the conference-opener with the Tigers, the Lady Blues will have their home opener on March 16 when they will face Southwest Baptist. Washburn will host Central Missouri the following day at the Washburn Softball Complex.