March 21, 2011
Softball continues homestand this week
Weekly Release
Season Statistics
Live Stats
This Week
The Bellevue University softball team continues its nine-game homestand with three doubleheaders scheduled this week. The Bruins will play host to Northwestern (Iowa) College on Tuesday, March 22 at 5:00 p.m. before playing Grand View University on Thursday, March 24 at 4:00 p.m. BU will conclude the week against Benedictine (Kan.) College on Sunday, March 27. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. against the Ravens at Hall of Fame Fields.
Following the Action
All Bellevue University softball home games this year will feature free live stats. Fans can view the live stats by visiting BUBruins.com and clicking the “Live Stats” link under “Fan Zone” at the top of the page.
Scouting Bellevue
Bellevue is currently 6-11 overall and is coming off of a home doubleheader split to William Penn University March 19, winning the opening game 3-2, before falling in the the nightcap, 11-2, at Hall of Fame Fields.
Kathryn Wardian (.400, five home runs and nine RBIs) and Amanda Neumann (.319, four home runs and 11 RBIs) lead the BU offense. Jessica Guyle, last year’s MCAC Newcomer of the Year, bats .327 with four stolen bases and nine RBIs. Neumann also has a team-high four wins and 48 strikeouts in 59 innings pitched. Allie Bartley is 2-1 and has registered 17 strikeouts and one complete game shutout in 24 innings.
BU bats .269 with 19 doubles, one triple and 10 home runs and are 10-for-13 in stolen base attempts. The pitching staff has an ERA of 6.04 along with 76 strikeouts and five complete games this season. Opponents are hitting .314 off Bruin pitching.
The Bruins return five starters from last season’s team that finished with a 32-17 overall record and a 10-0 MCAC mark en route to winning the conference regular season and postseason tournament titles. Bellevue also advanced to its fourth NAIA National Tournament, falling in pool play.
Scouting Northwestern
Northwestern is 2-10 overall and 0-2 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. The Red Raiders are currently on a seven-game losing streak after dropping a doubleheader at Nebraska Wesleyan University on March 19.
NC has a team batting average of .249 with nine doubles, three triples and four home runs. The pitching staff has an ERA of 4.79 with 28 strikeouts in 57 innings pitched. Opponents are hitting .344 against the Red Raiders.
Scouting Grand View
Grand View is currently 2-13 on the season and is on a seven-game losing streak after being sweept in a doubleheader at Belhaven University in its last game on March 17 in Jackson, Miss.
Emily Gilbert leads GVU with a .410 batting average along with three doubles, three home runs and 10 RBIs. Meagan Belieu is 1-3 and leads the team with 13 strikeouts.
The Vikings bat .251 with seven doubles, one triple and seven home runs this season. GVU has an ERA of 6.64 with 40 strikeouts in 82.2 innings pitched. The opposition is batting .303 against the Vikings’ pitching staff.
Scouting Benedictine
Benedictine is 7-6 overall this season and is coming off of a doubleheader split at Texas Lutheran University on March 13.
BC is led offensively by Jenna Fitzpatrick who bats .591 with 10 doubles, six home runs and 21 RBIs. The pitching staff is anchored by Michala Green who is 4-2 with a 2.67 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 36.2 innings pitched.
The Ravens bat .347 with a .557 slugging percentage and have outscored their opposition by a margin of 71-46. They have also hit 30 doubles, four triples and 13 home runs. BC has a team ERA of 3.66 with 43 strikeouts in 80.1 innings. They limit their opponents to a .277 batting average.
Meet the Coaches
Michala Cimino is in her second season at the helm of the Bruin softball program and guided Bellevue to the program’s fourth appearance at the NAIA Softball National Championship in her inaugural campaign in 2010. She has a 38-28 (.576) overall record at BU.
Cimino led Bellevue to a 32-17 overall record and a 10-0 league mark as BU claimed both the MCAC regular season and tournament titles. She also was named the 2010 MCAC Coach of the Year. Cimino is assisted by Kelly Cheshier, Julia Krejci and Katie Lefler.
Northwestern is coached by Stephanie Martindale, now in her second season. She has a career mark of 11-41 (.211) and is assisted by Dave Hulsart and Chelsey Ulfers.
Lou A. Yacinich begins his ninth season as the softball coach at Grand View in 2011. Yacinich led the Vikings to their first national tournament appearance in 2006. His assistant coaches are Destiny Willer, Todd Merical and Ashley Eichhorn.
Benedictine is led by head softball coach Tim Crowley, now in his 11th season. Crowley is assisted by Greg Bachkora and Beth Krogmeier.
Hall of Fame Fields
The BU softball team will begin playing and practicing at the Hall of the Fields (14602 Harlan Lewis Road) in the 2011 season. The multi-million dollar facility was completed in 2009 and was designed to provide the ultimate softball experience to players, coaches and fans. It is situated on a beautiful 40-acre site in the southeast section of Bellevue.
The Hall of Fame Fields are meticulously groomed and were created specifically for fastpitch softball. The fields include:
- Covered spectator seating
- Mist cooled dugouts
- Individual team bullpens
- Bricked batters boxes and pitchers circles
- Diamond-Pro infield mix
- Wi-Fi access
- The ability to video webcast Bruin games
MCAC Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Rank School
1. Bellevue University
2. Peru State College
3. York College
4. College of Saint Mary
5. Haskell Indian Nations University
6. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
7. Central Christian College
MCAC Preseason Rankings
POINT LOOKOUT, MO. - Bellevue University has been picked as the favorite to win the 2011 MCAC Softball Championship according the MCAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll released Sunday, Feb. 6.
Peru State College earned the No. 2 position in the preseason poll with a 20-24 record in 2010 (6-4 MCAC), while York College was picked third (9-23 overall, 4-6 MCAC in 2010).
Rounding out the poll are College of Saint Mary (4th), Haskell Indian Nations University (5th), Oklahoma Wesleyan University (6th) and Central Christian College (7th).
National Tournament Results
Bellevue has reached the NAIA Division National Softball Tournament four times in the program’s history, including an appearance in 2010.
2010 NAIA National Tournament (Decatur, Ala.)
Concordia (Ore.) 3, Bellevue 2 (9 innings)
Simon Fraser (B.C.) 4, Bellevue 0
Lindsey Wilson 5, Bellevue 0
2007 NAIA National Tournament (Decatur, Ala.)
Point Loma Nazarene 9, Bellevue 0
William Penn 1, Bellevue 0
Saint Gregory’s 3, Bellevue 2
Tiffin 3, Bellevue 2
2000 NAIA National Tournament (Decatur, Ala.)
Lipscomb (Tenn.) 4, Bellevue 1
Bellevue 2, Montreat (N.C.) 1
Walsh (Ohio) 5, Bellevue 4
1998 NAIA National Tournament (Tulsa, Okla.)
Simon Fraser (B.C.) 4, Bellevue 0
Lindenwood 4, Bellevue 1
Last Game Recap
BELLEVUE, Neb. -- The Bellevue University softball team moved to 6-11 on the season with a non-conference doubleheader split against William Penn University Saturday afternoon at Hall of Fame Fields. Bellevue won the opener 3-2, before dropping the nightcap 11-1 in five innings. William Penn is now 15-6 overall on the season.
Kathryn Wardian and Amanda Neumann both recorded home runs and Neumann fanned seven batters to guide the Bruins to the 3-2 win in the opener.
William Penn used a seven-run third inning and pounded out 10 total hits to cruise to the 11-1 win in the second game. Wardian provided the only offense for the Bruins, collecting her second home run of the doubleheader in the bottom of the second inning
Last Season Recap
Bellevue University finished the 2010 season with a 32-17 overall record and captured the MCAC regular season and tournament titles, while advancing to the NAIA Division National Tournament.
Kendra Gansz was named the MCAC Player of the Year, Alissa Crumley MCAC Pitcher of the Year and Jessica Guyle earned MCAC Newcomer of the Year honors. In her first season at BU, Michala Cimino was named the MCAC Coach of the Year after leading the Bruins to an undefeated 10-0 conference record.
Six Bruins were named to the MCAC first team including Gansz, Crumley, Guyle, Brooke Ellis, Allie Bartley and Erica McCoy. Kim Wees and Kara Erwin were named to the second team. Jenny Gawart and Katie Lefler gained honorable mention recognition.
Up Next
The Bruins will continue non-conference play next week with a pair of doubleheaders scheduled. BU will open the week by welcoming Buena Vista University to Hall of Fame Fields on Thursday, March 31 before hosting Doane College on Friday, April 1. First pitch is slated at 4:00 p.m. for both games.
Season Statistics
Live Stats
This Week
The Bellevue University softball team continues its nine-game homestand with three doubleheaders scheduled this week. The Bruins will play host to Northwestern (Iowa) College on Tuesday, March 22 at 5:00 p.m. before playing Grand View University on Thursday, March 24 at 4:00 p.m. BU will conclude the week against Benedictine (Kan.) College on Sunday, March 27. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. against the Ravens at Hall of Fame Fields.
Following the Action
All Bellevue University softball home games this year will feature free live stats. Fans can view the live stats by visiting BUBruins.com and clicking the “Live Stats” link under “Fan Zone” at the top of the page.
Scouting Bellevue
Bellevue is currently 6-11 overall and is coming off of a home doubleheader split to William Penn University March 19, winning the opening game 3-2, before falling in the the nightcap, 11-2, at Hall of Fame Fields.
Kathryn Wardian (.400, five home runs and nine RBIs) and Amanda Neumann (.319, four home runs and 11 RBIs) lead the BU offense. Jessica Guyle, last year’s MCAC Newcomer of the Year, bats .327 with four stolen bases and nine RBIs. Neumann also has a team-high four wins and 48 strikeouts in 59 innings pitched. Allie Bartley is 2-1 and has registered 17 strikeouts and one complete game shutout in 24 innings.
BU bats .269 with 19 doubles, one triple and 10 home runs and are 10-for-13 in stolen base attempts. The pitching staff has an ERA of 6.04 along with 76 strikeouts and five complete games this season. Opponents are hitting .314 off Bruin pitching.
The Bruins return five starters from last season’s team that finished with a 32-17 overall record and a 10-0 MCAC mark en route to winning the conference regular season and postseason tournament titles. Bellevue also advanced to its fourth NAIA National Tournament, falling in pool play.
Scouting Northwestern
Northwestern is 2-10 overall and 0-2 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. The Red Raiders are currently on a seven-game losing streak after dropping a doubleheader at Nebraska Wesleyan University on March 19.
NC has a team batting average of .249 with nine doubles, three triples and four home runs. The pitching staff has an ERA of 4.79 with 28 strikeouts in 57 innings pitched. Opponents are hitting .344 against the Red Raiders.
Scouting Grand View
Grand View is currently 2-13 on the season and is on a seven-game losing streak after being sweept in a doubleheader at Belhaven University in its last game on March 17 in Jackson, Miss.
Emily Gilbert leads GVU with a .410 batting average along with three doubles, three home runs and 10 RBIs. Meagan Belieu is 1-3 and leads the team with 13 strikeouts.
The Vikings bat .251 with seven doubles, one triple and seven home runs this season. GVU has an ERA of 6.64 with 40 strikeouts in 82.2 innings pitched. The opposition is batting .303 against the Vikings’ pitching staff.
Scouting Benedictine
Benedictine is 7-6 overall this season and is coming off of a doubleheader split at Texas Lutheran University on March 13.
BC is led offensively by Jenna Fitzpatrick who bats .591 with 10 doubles, six home runs and 21 RBIs. The pitching staff is anchored by Michala Green who is 4-2 with a 2.67 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 36.2 innings pitched.
The Ravens bat .347 with a .557 slugging percentage and have outscored their opposition by a margin of 71-46. They have also hit 30 doubles, four triples and 13 home runs. BC has a team ERA of 3.66 with 43 strikeouts in 80.1 innings. They limit their opponents to a .277 batting average.
Meet the Coaches
Michala Cimino is in her second season at the helm of the Bruin softball program and guided Bellevue to the program’s fourth appearance at the NAIA Softball National Championship in her inaugural campaign in 2010. She has a 38-28 (.576) overall record at BU.
Cimino led Bellevue to a 32-17 overall record and a 10-0 league mark as BU claimed both the MCAC regular season and tournament titles. She also was named the 2010 MCAC Coach of the Year. Cimino is assisted by Kelly Cheshier, Julia Krejci and Katie Lefler.
Northwestern is coached by Stephanie Martindale, now in her second season. She has a career mark of 11-41 (.211) and is assisted by Dave Hulsart and Chelsey Ulfers.
Lou A. Yacinich begins his ninth season as the softball coach at Grand View in 2011. Yacinich led the Vikings to their first national tournament appearance in 2006. His assistant coaches are Destiny Willer, Todd Merical and Ashley Eichhorn.
Benedictine is led by head softball coach Tim Crowley, now in his 11th season. Crowley is assisted by Greg Bachkora and Beth Krogmeier.
Hall of Fame Fields
The BU softball team will begin playing and practicing at the Hall of the Fields (14602 Harlan Lewis Road) in the 2011 season. The multi-million dollar facility was completed in 2009 and was designed to provide the ultimate softball experience to players, coaches and fans. It is situated on a beautiful 40-acre site in the southeast section of Bellevue.
The Hall of Fame Fields are meticulously groomed and were created specifically for fastpitch softball. The fields include:
- Covered spectator seating
- Mist cooled dugouts
- Individual team bullpens
- Bricked batters boxes and pitchers circles
- Diamond-Pro infield mix
- Wi-Fi access
- The ability to video webcast Bruin games
MCAC Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Rank School
1. Bellevue University
2. Peru State College
3. York College
4. College of Saint Mary
5. Haskell Indian Nations University
6. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
7. Central Christian College
MCAC Preseason Rankings
POINT LOOKOUT, MO. - Bellevue University has been picked as the favorite to win the 2011 MCAC Softball Championship according the MCAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll released Sunday, Feb. 6.
Peru State College earned the No. 2 position in the preseason poll with a 20-24 record in 2010 (6-4 MCAC), while York College was picked third (9-23 overall, 4-6 MCAC in 2010).
Rounding out the poll are College of Saint Mary (4th), Haskell Indian Nations University (5th), Oklahoma Wesleyan University (6th) and Central Christian College (7th).
National Tournament Results
Bellevue has reached the NAIA Division National Softball Tournament four times in the program’s history, including an appearance in 2010.
2010 NAIA National Tournament (Decatur, Ala.)
Concordia (Ore.) 3, Bellevue 2 (9 innings)
Simon Fraser (B.C.) 4, Bellevue 0
Lindsey Wilson 5, Bellevue 0
2007 NAIA National Tournament (Decatur, Ala.)
Point Loma Nazarene 9, Bellevue 0
William Penn 1, Bellevue 0
Saint Gregory’s 3, Bellevue 2
Tiffin 3, Bellevue 2
2000 NAIA National Tournament (Decatur, Ala.)
Lipscomb (Tenn.) 4, Bellevue 1
Bellevue 2, Montreat (N.C.) 1
Walsh (Ohio) 5, Bellevue 4
1998 NAIA National Tournament (Tulsa, Okla.)
Simon Fraser (B.C.) 4, Bellevue 0
Lindenwood 4, Bellevue 1
Last Game Recap
BELLEVUE, Neb. -- The Bellevue University softball team moved to 6-11 on the season with a non-conference doubleheader split against William Penn University Saturday afternoon at Hall of Fame Fields. Bellevue won the opener 3-2, before dropping the nightcap 11-1 in five innings. William Penn is now 15-6 overall on the season.
Kathryn Wardian and Amanda Neumann both recorded home runs and Neumann fanned seven batters to guide the Bruins to the 3-2 win in the opener.
William Penn used a seven-run third inning and pounded out 10 total hits to cruise to the 11-1 win in the second game. Wardian provided the only offense for the Bruins, collecting her second home run of the doubleheader in the bottom of the second inning
Last Season Recap
Bellevue University finished the 2010 season with a 32-17 overall record and captured the MCAC regular season and tournament titles, while advancing to the NAIA Division National Tournament.
Kendra Gansz was named the MCAC Player of the Year, Alissa Crumley MCAC Pitcher of the Year and Jessica Guyle earned MCAC Newcomer of the Year honors. In her first season at BU, Michala Cimino was named the MCAC Coach of the Year after leading the Bruins to an undefeated 10-0 conference record.
Six Bruins were named to the MCAC first team including Gansz, Crumley, Guyle, Brooke Ellis, Allie Bartley and Erica McCoy. Kim Wees and Kara Erwin were named to the second team. Jenny Gawart and Katie Lefler gained honorable mention recognition.
Up Next
The Bruins will continue non-conference play next week with a pair of doubleheaders scheduled. BU will open the week by welcoming Buena Vista University to Hall of Fame Fields on Thursday, March 31 before hosting Doane College on Friday, April 1. First pitch is slated at 4:00 p.m. for both games.