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get to the game? Don't worry, we've got ya covered.
Tigers get rematch with Hornets
4/30/2008
By RANDY GONZALES
rgonzales@dailynews.net
The Fort Hays State University softball team faces the daunting task of facing the No. 1 seed and defending tourney champion.
The eighth-seeded Tigers will tangle with Emporia State University at noon Thursday in the first round of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association's postseason tournament in Shawnee.
Fort Hays (30-24) split two games with Emporia State (27-23) -- the regular season MIAA champion for the fourth straight year -- on April 22 in Hays, losing 8-0 and winning 2-1.
"We think we match up well with them," Fort Hays coach Tonja Hadley said.
Hadley is undecided on which of her three pitchers will start in the opener of the double-elimination tourney. Freshman left-hander Kayle Rupa is 12-10 with a 3.56 earned-run average, while sophomore right-hander Jessica Hamilton is 6-5 with a 3.44 ERA and senior left-hander Emily Rockefeller is 9-7 with a 3.88 ERA.
"Hamilton did a great job in Game 2, but that was after they saw Rupa," Hadley said. "They haven't seen Rockefeller this year."
Opposing pitchers have seen plenty of Tiger sophomore catcher Jessika Anastos, who is sixth in the nation in slugging percentage at .890.
The Hornets might try to pitch around Anastos, if possible, so her teammates hitting behind her need to hit well, Hadley said.
"We definitely need the ones around her to step up and stay hot," Hadley said.
Anastos is hitting .486, with 13 homers and 46 RBIs to lead the Tigers. Senior Anna Herl, who hits sixth in the order, is batting .395 with nine homers and 30 RBIs. Junior third baseman Hallie McMillen, the team's cleanup hitter, is batting .317 with three homers and 21 RBIs. Emily Herl, the team's leadoff hitter and Anna's twin sister, is batting .312 with three homers and 24 RBIs.
"Stay relaxed at the plate, that's when we're at out best," Hadley said.
The question for Hadley and Tiger faithful is which team will show up Thursday. The Tigers have had the tendency to play one well in just one game of doubleheaders.
"It's no secret, we've been Jekyll and Hyde all year long," Hadley said. "It's now or never."
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| BB | 5/04 | Pittsburg State | W 17-5 |
| BB | 5/04 | Pittsburg State | L 4-3 |
| BB | 5/03 | Pittsburg State | L 15-7 |
| BB | 5/03 | Pittsburg State | L 5-4 |
| SB | 5/02 | Central Missouri | L 3-1 |
| SB | 5/02 | Missouri Western | W 3-2 |
| SB | 5/01 | Pittsburg State | W 6-0 |
| SB | 5/01 | Emporia State | L 11-0 |
| BB | 4/30 | Kansas Wesleyan | W 14-1 |
| BB | 4/30 | Kansas Wesleyan | W 12-2 |
