WICHITA, Kan. — After a pair of six-game, weekend-long tournaments to start the season, the Newman softball team will have a relatively short week with a lone doubleheader Saturday on the road at Southwest Baptist.

SCOUTING NEWMAN

The Jets (4-8) put together two impressive showings in the middle of last weekend's Lady Buff Invite at West Texas A&M, besting Lincoln by scores of 6-0 and 12-1. Those wins came right after a pair of close losses to Western Oregon to start the tournament, while the event closed with a tough challenge against No. 22 WTAMU.

LEADERS

                Taylor Mannis, Sophomore-.424 avg., 8 runs, 3 2Bs, 1 HR, .606 slg., 4 SB

                Courtney Sartin, Senior-.333 avg., 5 runs, 3 2Bs, 1 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBIs

                Mikayla Medbery, Junior-.300 avg., 6 runs, 2 2Bs, 4 RBIs, .382 OBP

                Kate Smith, Junior-1-6, 4.05 ERA, 7 app., 38.0 IP, 5 CG, 1 shutout, 14 BB, 12 SO

                Katie Ingles, Senior-2-1, 3.50 ERA, 4 app., 18.0 IP, 2 CG, 6 BB, 10 SO

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

The Bearcats (4-8) split a doubleheader against Rockhurst in their home opener Sunday, with each side grabbing a 4-3 win. An 0-4 trip at the Arkansas-Monticello 8-State Classic came after SBU went 3-3 at the season-opening SAU Softball Tournament, including wins over Delta State, Rogers State and the Jets.

                LEADERS

                Dana Graves-.364 avg., 4 2Bs, 5 RBIs, .432 OBP

                Kaley Hansen-.300 avg., 4 runs, 2 2Bs, 2 RBIs, 4 SB

                Kori Hillenburg-.261 avg., 6 runs, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 2 SB

                Kacey Ayers-3-5, 1.76 ERA, 9 app., 51.2 IP, 6 CG, 24 BB, 42 SO

                Shelbee Sterthman-0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 app., 3.1 IP, 0 BB, 2 SO

NOTES

-The Jets brought the tying run to the plate but couldn't manage to squeak by the Bearcats in a 3-1 loss at Southern Arkansas Feb. 7. Jensen Cromer smacked a home run for Newman's only run, and Smith went the distance in the circle, allowing just two earned runs.

-It is the last weekend of the season that the Jets are scheduled for fewer than three games, as Heartland conference play kicks off next week. Newman makes its home debut at a refurbished NU Softball Field in a nonconference matchup against Rockhurst March 9.

COVERAGE

Live video and statistics from Saturday's doubleheader will be available at www.newmanjets.com.