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Tiger softball team ready for conference opener
3/28/2009
By RANDY GONZALES
rgonzales@dailynews.net
Tiger softball coach Julie LeMaire thinks her team is ready for conference play.
"I think we're at our best right now, that we can be, going into conference," LeMaire said.
It's just getting the chance to play the other Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association teams that's the problem this weekend.
Fort Hays State University originally was to open MIAA play Friday against University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo., then travel to Bolivar, Mo., for a Saturday doubleheader against Southwest Baptist University.
Due to bad weather, the doubleheader with Central Missouri has been pushed back to Tuesday, while the Southwest Baptist doubleheader is now scheduled for Monday.
Fort Hays (18-17) is back over the .500 mark after two wins at Oklahoma-Panhandle State on Monday.
"I think the kids' confidence is back up, we've crept back over .500." LeMaire said. "I think we're in the best possible position, record-wise." The team has been led by its hitting all season. The Tigers are led at the plate by senior Hallie McMillen, who is batting .376 with two homers and 26 RBIs. Freshman Rachel Gemmill is hitting .370 with three homers and 17 RBIs.
The Tigers have three more players over .300: senior Alex Eaton is batting .359 with four homers and 23 RBIs; sophomore Sara Tani is at .348; sophomore Kayla Rupa is batting .326.
"We're hitting great, five kids over .300," LeMaire said. "In terms of our hitting, what's going to make us successful -- hands down -- is our hitting."
The pitching has been inconsistent, but has gotten better.
"Our pitchers have been struggling, up and down," LeMaire said. "They're doing a little better keeping the ball down."
Rupa is 10-11 with a 3.19 earned-run average, while junior Adrian Mohr is 7-4 with a 5.19 ERA. Sophomore Erin Kinsey (1-2) is the third pitcher, with a 5.87 ERA.
LeMaire said while the Tigers have lost some games to MIAA schools in tourney action, that's not an indicator of what her squad can do.
"It definitely seems time to get in conference; we're excited," LeMaire said. "Other than Nebraska-Omaha beating us bad, other teams in conference, we've handed them wins.
"They can beat us February, we'll beat them in March and April," she added.
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| 2/18 | SW Baptist | L 66-53 | |
| 12/1 | Oklahoma - Panhandle | L 66-60 (OT) | |