GAME 29-30: SBU BEARCATS (12-18, 1-5 MIAA)
vs DRURY PANTHERS (12-22, 6-7 GLVC)
TUESDAY, APRIL 6 • 2:00 PM
SBU SOFTBALL FIELD • BOLIVAR, MO

G31-32: SBU vs MISSOURI WESTERN GRIFFONS (17-13, 4-2 MIAA)
FRIDAY, APRIL 9 • 2:00 PM
SBU SOFTBALL FIELD • BOLIVAR, MO

G33-34: SBU vs TRUMAN STATE BULLDOGS (11-17, 4-4 MIAA)
SATURDAY, APRIL 10 • 2:00 PM
SBU SOFTBALL FIELD • BOLIVAR, MO

SBU NOTES

BOLIVAR, Mo. – After earning their first conference win earlier this week, the SBU Bearcats step outside of conference play to host nearby rival Drury on Tuesday, kicking off a eight game homestand, the longest of the season. Following the doubleheader with the Panthers, the 'Cats will look to get back to .500 in the MIAA with doubleheaders against Missouri Western and Truman State.

Krysta Baderdeen has returned to form as of late, as the offensive leader from 2009 is batting an even .400 with five home runs and 24 RBI. Baderdeen is riding a five-game hit streak, and has had two or more hits in 11 of SBU's 30 games so far. 1B Nina Amaro-Garcia has come on recently, and is tied with Baderdeen with five HR.  Karly Bitters is playing well as of late also; the junior has seen time as the designated hitter, in the outfield, and on the mound this season, and is currently on a four-game hitting streak. Bitters is also posting a 5-4 record as a pitcher, with a 5.31 ERA.

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.

Annie Medico is the only head coach in the three year history of the Drury softball program. The Panthers have gone 34-77 in their first two seasons, the second of which was marred by injuries to key players.

Currently in her ninth season as head coach of the Missouri Western Griffons, Jen Bagley was named MIAA Coach of the Year last season, and has posted a 267-185 record in her first eight years in St. Joseph. The Griffons qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history in 2005, and have returned each year since.

Erin Brown is in her fourth season leading the Truman Bulldogs, where she has posted a 67-117 record in her first three years. Brown has seen six of her players named All-MIAA, including an All-American award winner in 2008.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Drury has three starters currently above .300 in seniors Sadie Ball, Jessica Matlock, along with freshman Denise Taylor. Ball leads the team with a .361 average, along with seven home runs and 25 RBI. Matlock isn't far behind, posting a .336 average, six home runs, and 23 RBI. Taylor is averaging .328 and is on an eight-game hitting streak.

Becky Diehl leads the Griffons with a .353 average and a team high 4 home runs. Samantha Buchanan (.316, 1 HR) shares the team lead with Diehl in RBI, each driving in 17. Pitcher Jonnelle Belger has led the defense with a 3.34 ERA and 9-6 record.

Richelle VanGennip is the ace of the Bulldogs staff, posting a 1.86 ERA and 7-8 record in 19 appearances. VanGennip is allowing only a .176 average to her opponents, and has struck out 137 batters in 101 2/3 innings.

NEXT UP FOR THE BEARCATS
SBU will wrap up its homestand the early part of next week, when they host the Lincoln Blue Tigers. After sweeping a doubleheader against Incarnate Word, Lincoln has dropped eight of their last nine. After meeting up with the Blue Tigers, the Bearcats will head to Northwest Missouri State, for the MIAA Crossover Tournament. Considered non-conference games in the standings, SBU will face off against six different MIAA foes over three days.