Game Time: Wed. Thu. 31, 2016 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm
Place: Grinnell College Softball Complex
NCAA Series: First game in series.
This season, the Pioneers are 6-5 thus far. Most recently, Grinnell split a doubleheader against Iowa Weslyan. Game one provided an eighth inning 5-3 win for the Pioneers.
Early on this season, the Pioneers are strong in the circle as the team ERA is 4.31. The Pionneers play to contact with their pitchers as they have 21 strikeouts in 12 games while opponents are hitting .353 against the Grinnell hurlers.
In the batter's box, the Pioneers are hitting .247 as a team with an overall on-base percentage of .327. Leading that charge with 11 hits and a .344 batting average is Lydia Stariha. The junior also leads the team with 6-of-9 stolen bases, and also holds a .477 on-base percentage.
The Blue Angels are fresh off their first win of the season as they swept host Knox College in the biggest offensive output for MMU this season. The doubleheader saw a surge in play by junior transfer Jess Runge (Freedom, Wis.). Runge went 1-of-4 in game one with two runs scored and a double, then followed up that performance in game two going 2-of-4 from the plate with two RBIs, a stolen base, four runs scored and the only triple of the season for the Blue Angels.
MMU's pitching staff continues to cut down on their team ERA. Nikki Festge (Jr./Menomonee Falls, Wis.) and Ashley Contreras (So./College Station, Texas) both got their first wins of the season in the circle while allowing only three and two earned runs respectively. The combo has given the Blue Angels their lost team ERA since joining the NCAA at 5.25.
As weather systems surround the area, the start times may adjust closer to first pitch. Stay tuned to mtmaryathletics.com and follow us on twitter @MtMaryAthletics for all updates.
