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MARSHALL, Minn. - The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference-leading Southwest Minnesota State softball team will travel to St. Paul, Minn., on Tuesday to finish off regular season action against Concordia University, St. Paul. The doubleheader was originally on the schedule for Wednesday, but with bad weather expected to move into the area, SMSU and CU agreed to move the games to Tuesday. The twinbill will start at 6 p.m.
Northern Sun leaders: A 19-5 campaign in NSIC play has SMSU in first place in the latest conference standings. The Mustangs have held down that spot for a number of weeks now. Augustana is second place in the latest conference standings.
In control: The Mustangs essentially control their own destiny when it comes to wrapping up the regular season NSIC title and getting the right to host the upcoming conference tournament. If SMSU can sweep CU on Wednesday, the Mustangs will clinch the title outright. However, if SMSU splits, and Augustana sweeps Minnesota State Moorhead on Tuesday, the Vikings will take the conference title. Here's one more scenario: If Augie splits with MSUM, all SMSU would have to do is split with the Golden Bears to ensure the conference crown.
She's downright legit: Amanda Burkhart (Omaha, Neb.) is in on a bona fide tear at the dish for SMSU. Last week, she posted a .563 batting average and added another three home runs to her already impressive count in the category. The senior went 9 for 16, scored six runs and collected seven RBIs. Burkhart now has 15 home runs on the season--an SMSU single-season record she's been adding to for a few weeks now. Her three homers were accompanied by a pair of doubles. Burkhart also compiled a sparkling 1.250 slugging percentage. Her two run homer in the bottom of the third inning of game one against No. 8 Winona State on Saturday broke a 0-0 tie and lifted the Mustangs past the Warriors. On the week, the right fielder set an SMSU single-season record when she recorded her 51st RBI of the season. She leads the Mustangs with a .387 batting average.
Double trouble: As if pitching to Burkhart isn't hard enough, opposing pitchers are sure to cringe when they see
Amanda Tucci (Oakdale, Minn.) taking a few monster warm-up cuts in the on deck circle. Tucci belted another two home runs last week, moving her total to nine on the year. She has amassed 30 in her career--second in school history behind Burkhart. The first baseman is hitting .303 on the year.
Senior momentum: Four seniors will guide the Mustangs through their 2009 campaign, and all are seasoned veterans. Burkhart, Tucci,
Amanda Johnson (Fremont, Neb.) and
Jessica Paczosa (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) have earned 10 all-conference nods between the four of them.
Preseason Honors: Amanda Johnson was selected as the NSIC 2009 Preseason Pitcher of the Year for the third consecutive season. She enters her senior season ranked third in career saves in NCAA Division II history with 13. Johnson ranks first in SMSU history in lowest opponents' batting average, fewest walks per seven innings, strikeouts per seven innings, wins, saves, appearances, games started, complete games, games finished, shutouts, innings pitched and strikeouts.
Rank 'em: SMSU was picked to finish third in the NSIC Preseason Poll as voted on by the league's 14 head coaches. The Mustangs received 164 points in the poll, just one point behind the No. 2 team, Minnesota State, Mankato. SMSU also received three first-place votes.
He's back: Shawn Semler returns for his sixth season as the head coach of the Mustangs. He's led SMSU to four conference championships and three NCAA Regional Tournament appearances. Semler has also coached 24 all-conference performers and been named the NSIC's top coach three times.
