Softball at Central Methodist today
March 31, 2009
Contact: Evangel University Athletics 865-2815, Ext. 7282
Evangel Crusaders (18-8, 3-0) at Central Methodist Lady Eagles (16-10, 3-1)
Cox Softball Complex, Fayette, Mo. – 3 p.m. - DH
Games # 27 and 28
Probable Starters
RHP Kimberly Williams (7-3, 3.71 ERA)
&
RHP Anna McKinny (5-1, 2.97 ERA)
Showdown of Top Two Teams From ’08
Today’s doubleheader is the first meetings of the year between two teams that tied for the conference regular season championship last season. Evangel and Central Methodist both went 15-5 in the league last year. Evangel is off to a 3-0 conference start and are 18-8 overall while Central Methodist entered the week 2-0 in the league after sweeping William Jewell last week. The Eagles play a doubleheader against Missouri Valley on Monday prior to facing Evangel.
Evangel Nationally Ranked
Evangel was ranked 21st nationally by the NAIA this week. The Lady Crusaders were ranked 25th the week before and moved up four places in the poll. Evangel is the highest ranked team among HAAC members.
Today’s Starters
Kimberly Williams will be one the starting pitchers today…Williams has won her last four starts and picked up a win in her last start against MidAmerica Nazarene on Thursday of last week: 6 inn, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO…She is 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA and has no walks with 18 strikeouts in her last three starts …Has 59 strikeouts against 12 walks in 60.1 innings…Evangel is 8-3 in games Williams starts…Has a career record of 49-15 (.766)…Is a senior from Loveland, Colorado.
Anna McKinny will also make a start for Evangel…She will make her 13th appearance and sixth start of the season…She pitched in an inning in a suspended game against MidAmerica Nazarene on Thursday before rain halted play…Got a win in her last official start last Wednesday against Avila: 6 inn, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 SO…Is 2-0 with a save and a 3.07 ERA in her last three games …Is 4-0 with a 2.07 ERA as a starter and is 1-1 with 1 save and a 3.00 ERA as a reliever…Has Evangel’s only save this season which came on Mar. 14 in a non-conference game against Benedictine.…Evangel is 5-0 in games she starts…Is a sophomore from New Hampton, Missouri.
Corbin Hitting Above .500
Kendra Corbin will enter Tuesday’s doubleheader hitting .510. The batting average leagues the Heart of America conference. The Andrews, Texas native is 50 for 98 at the plate through 26 games this season. Corbin currently has a 12-game hitting streak and is hitting .654 going 17 for 26 in her last seven games.
Corbin Also Leads The League In…
In addition to the league’s top batting average, Kendra Corbin also leads the conference in: slugging percentage (.847), runs (43), hits (50), doubles (13), triples (4), and stolen bases (18).
Hot Bats
Megan Cairns has a six-game hitting streak and is 10 for 16 (.625) with 7 RBIs and 7 walks in her last six games… Breanna Canclini went 7 for 11 (.636) in three games last week…Andrea Jackson is 3 for 6 in her last two games…Elizabeth LeClaire has a seven-game hitting streak and is 12 for her last 19 (.632) during that span at the plate…Jazzy Lopez is 8 for 17 (.417) in her last five games..
Quick Hits
Evangel’s six-game winning streak that they carry into to Tuesday’s doubleheader is their longest of the season and their 10-games over .500 record is their high-water mark of the season so far…Evangel leads the HAAC in hitting (.372) and slugging percentage (.546)…Central Methodist is the conference league in opposing batting average holding opponents to a .217 team batting average.
Crusaders At a Glance
- Current Streak: Won 6
- Best Overall Record: 18-8 (in conf.: 3-0)
- Last Win: March 26 vs. MidAm Naz. (10-2)
- Worst Overall Record: 1-2 (in conf.: 1-0)
- Last Loss: March 13 vs. St. Mary-Woods (5-3)
- Record in 1-run Games: 1-1
- Record in last 5 games: 5-0
- Games Won in Last At-Bat: Evan: 2, Opp.: 2