By: Madelyn Stephen, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
ROLLA, Mo. -- Missouri S&T softball returns home this weekend for its final regular season home series, hosting Rockhurst on Saturday, May 2 before welcoming Southwest Baptist on Sunday, May 3. Both doubleheaders are set to begin at 12 p.m.
About the Miners
The Miners have already clinched a berth into the GLVC Tournament, set for May 6-9 in East Peoria, Illinois, and enter the weekend ranked No. 2 in the conference. Missouri S&T brings a 31-15 overall record and an 18-6 mark in GLVC play into the weekend and is riding a 10-game winning streak, just five shy of the program record. The Miners rank among the league's best, sitting top five in pitching with a 3.14 ERA and sixth in batting with a .291 average.
Offensively, Taylor Nelson (Hailey, ID/Phillips Exeter Academy) leads the charge, hitting .430 with 16 home runs and a 1.445 OPS, ranking second in the GLVC in home runs and OPS while sitting seventh in batting average. AJ Agers (DeSoto, MO/St. Pius X) has been a force in the circle with a 2.16 ERA, ranking eighth in the conference, while also adding eight home runs at the plate alongside
Tori Thompson (Chandler, AZ/Basha), who has also launched eight long balls this season.
About the Hawks
Rockhurst enters the weekend with a 28-16 overall record and a 15-8 mark in GLVC play, positioning themselves as one of the top teams in the conference. The Hawks boast one of the most productive offenses in the league, hitting .314 as a team with 243 runs and 32 home runs on the season.
Emily Berry leads Rockhurst with a .423 average, 10 home runs, and 51 RBI, while McKenna Lester (.393) and Taylor Sedam (.364) provide additional depth in the lineup. In the circle, Avery Huffman anchors the staff with a 2.14 ERA and 16 wins, leading a pitching unit that holds a 3.40 team ERA.
About the Bearcats
Southwest Baptist comes into the weekend with a 19-31 overall record and an 8-16 conference mark. The Bearcats are hitting .272 as a team with 221 runs scored, while allowing opponents to bat .309 on the season.
Keeley Elsea leads the Bearcats offensively with a .477 batting average and 63 hits, while Jacie Frencken adds power with seven home runs and 31 RBI. In the circle, Abby Leer leads the pitching staff with 126 innings pitched, as Southwest Baptist holds a 4.92 team ERA entering the weekend.
Saturday's doubleheader against Rockhurst will also serve as Senior Day, with Missouri S&T recognizing Trista Grobe (DeSoto, MO/DeSoto), Molly Fitzgerald (Crystal Lake, IL/Marian Central Catholic), Tinley Beecham (Mapleton, IL/Illini Bluffs), Keira Jones (Richmond Hill, GA/Richmond Hill), Allie Kelly (Park Hills, MO/Central), and AJ Agers (DeSoto, MO/St. Pius X) prior to first pitch. Sunday's series against Southwest Baptist will mark Alumni Day at the S&T Softball Field.
Follow Miners Softball on X and Instagram at @Miners_SB
