WICHITA, Kan. — The Newman softball team heads into a crucial final weekend of the regular season, heading to Oklahoma Panhandle State for a three-game Heartland Conference series this weekend.
The series is set for a 2 p.m. doubleheader on Friday and a single game at noon on Saturday.
SCOUTING NEWMAN
The Jets (16-33, 9-9) have kept up their impressive midseason turnaround, winning their third straight conference series by taking two out of three from St. Edward's last weekend. With the pair of shutout victories, Newman has now won seven of its last 11.
Leaders
Jensen Cromer-.315 avg., 15 runs, 4 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 19 RBIs, .491 slg., 6 SB
7-16, 3.86 ERA, 27 app., 2 shutouts, 148.2 IP, 50, 81 SO
Mikayla Medbery-.307 avg., 9 runs, 9 2B, 1 3B, 15 RBIs, 16 SB
Erin Jankiewicz-.290 avg., 11 runs, 7 2B, 2 HR, 21 RBIs
Kate Smith-7-13, 4.09 ERA, 27 app., 2 shutouts, 137.0 IP, 38 BB, 85 SO
SCOUTING THE AGGIES
Oklahoma Panhandle State (13-37, 0-18 Heartland) snapped an 11-game losing skid by sweeping former league-mate Texas-Permian Basin in a doubleheader on Tuesday. That followed a weekend set against Texas A&M International that saw the Aggies take all three to keep OPSU in search of its first league win.
Leaders
Madison Heathington-.355 avg., 28 runs, 9 2B, 1 3B, 10 HR, 36 RBIs, .652 slg.
Darcie Wilson-.353 avg., 36 runs, 12 2B, 9 HR, 29 RBIs, .640 slg.
Anyssa Barbosa-.337 avg., 11 runs, 6 2B, 2 HR, 24 RBIs, .455 slg.
Emily Worley-5-14, 9.03 ERA, 25 app., 118.2 IP, 54 BB, 25 SO
Julia Ibarra-7-18, 9.37 ERA, 34 app., 136.1 IP, 90 BB, 59 SO
NOTES
-The Jets got a superb effort out of its pitching staff in two weeks last weekend against the Hilltoppers. Kate Smith and Jensen Cromer each tossed a shutout, the second of the season for both. In 24 innings of work, the duo posted a 1.46 ERA.
-The final weekend of the season leaves plenty in the air for qualifying and seeding in the Heartland Conference Championship. The Jets need to win at least two games this weekend, as they are two games back of a three-way tie for third.
COVERAGE
All three games will feature live stats, available at www.newmanjets.com.
