FHSU Sports Information Department
Fort Hays State Softball heads to Oklahoma this weekend for a pair of MIAA doubleheaders on Friday (Mar. 25) and Saturday (Mar. 26). The first stop for the Tigers will be in Tahlequah to take on Northeastern State before finishing up in Edmond against Central Oklahoma. The Tigers currently sit at 12-17 overall and 6-6 in the MIAA.
Northeastern State enters the Friday doubleheader winners of five of their last eight. NSU has an overall record of 17-14 and a 5-5 mark in the MIAA. Leading the way for the RiverHawks is one of the best pitchers in the MIAA, Kayce Wooldridge. She leads the MIAA in ERA (1.20), and sits second in wins (12), shutouts (4), and strikeouts looking (39), all while holding opponents to just a .231 batting average.
Central Oklahoma will take on Nebraska-Kearney for two games on Friday before welcoming the Tigers to Edmond. Heading into the weekend UCO totes an overall record of 20-10 and a MIAA record of 5-3. The Broncho offense is clicking on all cylinders and currently leads the nation with a team batting average of .383. The Bronchos also lead the MIAA in several other offensive categories including, hits (337), doubles (60), home runs (47), and slugging percentage (.636).
The Tigers go into the weekend looking to extend their three-game win streak. During the current three game stretch, Fort Hays State has hit .444, and is averaging 13.3 runs per game. Also in that stretch, Paxton Duran threw 8.2 innings of scoreless softball with 10 strikeouts
Tori Beltz has caught fire for the Tigers by hitting .363, with two home runs, two doubles, and 10 RBI in her last five games. Another Tiger to note is left fielder Rilee Krier. She has found a home in the leadoff spot for the Tigers and is currently second on the team in batting average (.322), while leading the team in hits (29), and stolen bases (10). Krier is also tied for the team lead with Chermayne Yago in runs scored with 17.