G44-45: SBU BEARCATS (18-25, 2-8 MIAA)
vs MO S&T LADY MINERS (23-17, 14-10 GLVC)
TUES., APRIL 20 • 2 PM • SBU SOFTBALL FIELD • BOLIVAR, MO

G46-47: vs #4 EMPORIA ST. HORNETS (38-9, 12-0)
SAT., APRIL 24 • 1 PM • SBU SOFTBALL FIELD • BOLIVAR, MO
G48-49: vs WASHBURN LADY BLUES (22-17, 6-5)
MON., APRIL 26 • 2 PM • SBU SOFTBALL FIELD • BOLIVAR, MO
(schedule altered due to weather)

SBU NOTES

BOLIVAR, Mo. – After going 3-2 last weekend at the MIAA North Crossover, the SBU softball Bearcats begin their final homestand of the year. SBU hosts former MIAA member Missouri S&T Tuesday before league leader Emporia State this weekend and then Washburn on Monday. Saturday will be senior day for the Bearcats as they will recognize five seniors.

Krysta Baderdeen has heated up over the last few weeks, returning to last season's form as the team leader in batting average (.385) among active players. Baderdeen also leads the team in doubles (7). Krysta's rise has come at the right time, with the loss in the past month of several starting position players to injury.

Nina Amaro-Garcia has also stepped up of late for the Bearcats. Amaro-Garcia hit .400 at the MIAA Crossover and was named to the All-Tournament Team with two homers and three RBI. Baderdeen and Amaro Garcia continue to battle for the both the SBU season and career home run marks. Nina leads the season race with nine while Krysta tops the career mark with 18.
   
ABOUT THE COACHES
Christy Capner returned to her alma mater before the 2007 season as she was named head coach of the Bearcats. Capner has seen six All-MIAA awards given out to her players over the last three seasons, and has seen steady improvement, going from eight wins in 2007, to 23 last year. 

Don Kennedy is in his fourth season at head coach at Missouri S&T, where he has led the Miners to an appearance in the conference tournament each season. In 2007, Kennedy's Miners made their first trip to the NCAA Tournament in school history. Currently in her eighth season, Lisa Carey is the all-time winningest coach at Washburn. With a 213-165 record coming into this season, Carey has led the Lady Blues to two NCAA Tournament appearance in the last four years. Kristi Bredbenner has had one of the most impressive starts to her coaching career in Division II. Under Bredbenner, the Emporia State Hornets have made appearances in two of the last three national championship games.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Missouri S&T are currently riding a five-game winning streak, and sit fifth in the GLVC standings with a 14-10 conference record. Kristen Drage is leading the Miners with a .440 average, seven home runs and 37 RBI. Missouri S&T has a one-two punch on the mound, in Taylor Keal and Ashley Wallingford. Keal boasts a 12-8 record with a 2.49 ERA, while Wallingford is 10-8 with a 2.73 ERA. Each pitcher has thrown two complete game shutouts this season.

The Lady Blues of Washburn are looking for a bit of revenge after the Bearcats win last week at the MIAA Crossover Tournament. SBU defeated Washburn, 1-0, and both teams recorded a 3-2 mark at the tournament. Josie Rose threw a complete game shutout, allowing just three hits and striking out six in that game. Senior third baseman Tish Williams leads the Lady Blues with 11 home runs, while sophomore Lindsey Moore has had the hot bat as of late, riding a seven game hitting streak.

The Emporia State Hornets have captured the last five MIAA softball titles, and are currently unbeaten in conference play, although they did fall to Nebraska-Omaha and Fort Hays State at the MIAA Crossover Tournament. Currently ranked second in the South Central region, the Hornets have the national leader in batting average in senior third baseman Miranda Campbell. Campbell is hitting .525 with 12 home runs and 58 RBI, and drove in a season-high seven RBI against Pitt St. back in March.

NEXT UP FOR THE BEARCATS
The softball Bearcats will wrap up the regular season next week with a trio of MIAA doubleheaders. SBU will travel up to Warrensburg for a Tuesday afternoon matchup with Central Missouri. The Mules are third in the MIAA standings with a 5-3 mark in conference play. The 'Cats road trip continues next Friday and Saturday with a pair of games against both Nebraska-Omaha (9-2, 2nd place in MIAA) and Northwest Missouri State. Each game can be pivotal in the Bearcats run to the MIAA tournament, as SBU sits ninth, just one game out of the eighth and final berth.