Softball travels to Missouri State

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas softball team will travel to Springfield, Mo., on Wednesday for its final non-conference game of the regular season against Missouri Valley Conference opponent Missouri State.

First pitch for the midweek contest is scheduled for 5 p.m. at MSU’s Killian Softball Stadium.

Arkansas (25-24) is coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of No. 5 Alabama at Bogle Park over the weekend. The Razorbacks have six Southeastern Conference games remaining on their schedule and hope to secure a berth to the 2010 SEC Softball Tournament with series at home against Ole Miss and on the road against Auburn.

Arkansas is batting .255 as a team with 53 home runs this season, while the pitching staff has a 3.60 ERA and 257 strikeouts through 49 games. Senior Miranda Dixon paced the team during its the three-game series against Alabama with a .750 average (6-for-8) with a double, a home run, five RBIs and three walks. She had a 1.250 slugging percentage and a .818 on-base percentage.

Missouri State (14-27) comes into the week with a 3-7 record in their last 10 games and with a mark of 4-11 at their home park.

The Bears leads the all-time series 17-14, including a 2-1 victory in eight innings last season in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks rallied late but fell short as MSU came away with the win.

At the plate, Missouri State is led by junior infielder Jenna Schwark who boasts a .339 average with 40 hits, four home runs and 15 RBIs. Freshman infielder Caitlin Chapin leads the team with six home runs and 24 RBIs. She has a .540 slugging percentage. The Bears are batting .255 as a team with 24 home runs and 117 RBIs.

In the circle, MSU has a pair of pitchers who have each thrown at least 97 innings this season. Sophomore right-hander Natalie Rose has a 4-10 record and a 3.24 ERA with 85 strikeouts. Senior right-hander Lauren Supak is 6-8 with a 3.51 ERA in 26 appearances, including 16 starts.

Missouri State has a 3.77 staff ERA with 182 strikeouts and 106 walks in 273.0 innings pitched. Opposing batters are hitting .279 against the Bears.

Wednesday’s games will be broadcast on KXUA Fayetteville (88.3 FM) and ArkansasRazorbacks.com, which will also carry live stats for the Missouri State game.

Download: 4-28 Missouri State.pdf