By: Madelyn Stephen, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
ROLLA, Mo. -- Missouri S&T softball returns to Rolla this weekend for its home opener, hosting a pair of GLVC doubleheaders. The Miners will take on No. 18 McKendree on Saturday, March 28 at noon, before welcoming Illinois Springfield on Sunday, March 29 for another doubleheader beginning at noon.
About the Miners
Missouri S&T enters the weekend with a 17-11 overall record and 4-2 mark in GLVC play, looking to build momentum as they open their home schedule. The Miners have been powered by a balanced offensive attack, hitting .276 as a team with 26 home runs and 128 RBI on the season.
Leading the way is Taylor Nelson (Hailey, ID/Phillips Exeter Academy), who is batting .373 with nine home runs and 22 RBI, while posting a strong .771 slugging percentage.
Claire Lopez (Olathe, KS/Olathe Northwest) has also been a key contributor, hitting .356 with a team-high 25 runs scored, while AJ Agers (DeSoto, MO/St. Pius X) adds depth with four home runs and 19 RBI.
In the circle, the Miners have leaned on a trio of arms. AJ Agers (DeSoto, MO/St. Pius X) leads the staff with a 2.55 ERA and 43 strikeouts across 74 innings, while Mia Miller (Waterloo, IL/Waterloo) has logged a team-high 76.1 innings with 54 strikeouts. Tinley Beecham (Mapleton, IL/Illini Bluffs) has been highly effective in limited action, posting a 0.89 ERA
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Defensively, S&T has been solid with a .970 fielding percentage, helping support a pitching staff that holds opponents to a .270 batting average.
About the Bearcats
McKendree enters the weekend as one of the top teams in the region with a 25-7 overall record and 6-2 mark in GLVC play, backed by one of the most explosive offenses in the conference. The Bearcats are hitting an impressive .315 as a team with 30 home runs and 183 RBI, while averaging over six runs per game.
The lineup is led by Lauren Harris, who is batting a remarkable .459 with 10 home runs and 35 RBI, along with Jasmine Myers hitting .379 with six home runs and 30 RBI. McKendree features depth throughout the order, with five regular starters hitting above .330.
In the circle, the Bearcats boast a strong pitching staff with a 2.76 team ERA, led by Sami Huck (10-5, 2.90 ERA, 127 strikeouts) and Ellie Vetter (9-2, 2.40 ERA). As a staff, they have held opponents to a .238 batting average, showcasing their ability to limit offensive production.
About the Prairie Stars
Illinois Springfield enters the weekend with a 21-9 overall record and 5-3 mark in conference play, bringing a strong combination of offense and pitching into Sunday's matchup. The Prairie Stars are hitting .300 as a team with 11 home runs and 132 RBI, while also utilizing speed with 82 stolen bases on the season.
UIS is led offensively by Emme Steward, who is batting .375 with five home runs and 23 RBI, along with Rosie Bartletti, who is hitting .348 with 35 runs scored and 27 stolen bases. Bailey Masching adds additional power with 24 RBI and a .342 average.
In the circle, the Prairie Stars feature one of the top pitching staffs in the conference with a 1.88 team ERA. Calista Stahlhut (9-4, 1.62 ERA, 80 strikeouts) and Rosie Bartletti (7-3, 0.97 ERA) lead a staff that has held opponents to just a .214 batting average.
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