Crucial Conference Clash: Missouri State Softball Battles Illinois state on the Road
NORMAL, Ill. — Missouri State softball faces a pivotal Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) series against Illinois State this week, April 17-19, as they conclude a grueling 14-game road stretch out of 15 total games. The Bears,currently fourth in the MVC with an 11-7 record,are looking to solidify their position against the Redbirds,who are close behind in fifth place with a 9-7 conference record.
Bears Aim to Extend Series Dominance Over Redbirds
Missouri State has past ground to make up, trailing Illinois state 51-74 in the all-time series.However, the Bears have had the upper hand recently, winning the last five series against the Redbirds. Last season,Missouri State secured a series victory in Springfield,overcoming a game two loss to win the rubber match 7-4.
Key Players adn Stats to Watch
- Catching Duo: Sidney McLaughlin and Alexis Perales have been exceptional in conference play, throwing out six baserunners and leading the team in hitting with averages of .385 and .381, respectively.
- Pitching Ace: makenzi swick leads the Bears’ pitching staff in MVC games with a 1.49 ERA and 24 strikeouts.
- Power Hitter: McKenzie Vaughan continues to climb the program’s home run ladder, recently hitting her 28th career homer. She now sits second in program history, just behind former teammate Olivia Krehbiel (31). Vaughan also leads the team this season with 33 RBI and nine home runs.
- Team Stats: In MVC play, Missouri State leads the conference in fielding percentage (.971), ranks third in team ERA (2.53), and fifth in team batting average (.296).
Griffith’s First Season
This season marks Kasey Griffith’s first year as head coach. Griffith, named the seventh head coach in program history on June 5, 2024, took over after Holly Hesse’s retirement.
Road Warriors: Schedule Challenges
The Bears face a challenging schedule, with 17 of their last 22 regular-season games on the road. Despite this, they remain a formidable team, especially when holding opponents to two runs or less (8-0 record) and out-hitting their opponents (9-1 record).
How does Kasey Griffith’s first season as head coach add context to this series against Illinois State?
crucial Conference Clash: Missouri State Softball Battles Illinois State on the Road
NORMAL, Ill. — Missouri State softball faces a pivotal Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) series against Illinois State this week, April 17-19, as they conclude a grueling 14-game road stretch out of 15 total games. The Bears,currently fourth in the MVC with an 11-7 record,are looking to solidify their position against the Redbirds,who are close behind in fifth place with a 9-7 conference record.
Bears Aim to Extend Series Dominance Over Redbirds
Missouri State has past ground to make up, trailing Illinois state 51-74 in the all-time series.However, the Bears have had the upper hand recently, winning the last five series against the Redbirds. Last season,Missouri state secured a series victory in Springfield,overcoming a game two loss to win the rubber match 7-4.
Key Players adn Stats to Watch
- Catching Duo: Sidney McLaughlin adn Alexis Perales have been exceptional in conference play, throwing out six baserunners and leading the team in hitting with averages of .385 and .381, respectively.
- Pitching Ace: makenzi swick leads the Bears’ pitching staff in MVC games with a 1.49 ERA and 24 strikeouts.
- Power Hitter: McKenzie Vaughan continues to climb the program’s home run ladder,recently hitting her 28th career homer. She now sits second in program history, just behind former teammate Olivia Krehbiel (31). Vaughan also leads the team this season with 33 RBI and nine home runs.
- Team Stats: In MVC play, Missouri State leads the conference in fielding percentage (.971), ranks third in team ERA (2.53), and fifth in team batting average (.296).
Griffith’s First Season
This season marks Kasey Griffith’s first year as head coach.Griffith, named the seventh head coach in program history on June 5, 2024, took over after Holly hesse’s retirement.
road Warriors: Schedule Challenges
The Bears face a challenging schedule,with 17 of their last 22 regular-season games on the road. Despite this,they remain a formidable team,especially when holding opponents to two runs or less (8-0 record) and out-hitting their opponents (9-1 record).
Q&A: Decoding the Missouri State vs. Illinois State Softball Series
Get ready for a thrilling series as Missouri State softball clashes with Illinois State! Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:
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When and where is the series?
The series takes place April 17-19 in Normal, Illinois, at Illinois State’s home field.
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What’s at stake?
it’s a crucial Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) series! Missouri State (4th in MVC) aims to solidify their position against Illinois State (5th in MVC), impacting their conference standings.
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Who are the key players for missouri State?
keep an eye on the catching duo of Sidney McLaughlin and Alexis Perales, pitcher Makenzi Swick, and power hitter McKenzie Vaughan! Vaughan is closing in on the program’s home run record.
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How has Missouri State performed recently against Illinois State?
missouri State has won the last five series against illinois State, giving them a recent advantage. However, they still trail in the all-time series record.
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What’s the significance of Kasey Griffith’s first season as Head Coach?
This series marks Kasey Griffith’s inaugural season as the seventh head coach in program history, taking over from Holly Hesse.
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What’s the biggest challenge for the Bears?
A tough road schedule! Missouri State plays 17 of their last 22 regular-season games away from home.
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What are the bears’ strengths?
They excel in fielding (.971 fielding percentage in MVC play) and are almost unbeatable when holding opponents to two runs or less (8-0 record).
With a winning history and key players to watch, this series is set to be exciting! Follow Missouri State Softball as they strive to continue their winning streak against Illinois State.
