LEADOFF
Midwestern State hits the road to for a non-conference twin bill against Central Oklahoma Tuesday afternoon in Edmond. First pitch at Broncho Softball Field is set for 2 p.m.
 

---

Midwestern State vs. Central Oklahoma
Tuesday, April 8 | 2/4 p.m.
Records: Midwestern State (24-16); Central Oklahoma (31-9)
Live Video: None
Live Audio: BronchoSports.com  
Live Stats: BronchoSports.com  
 
SCOUTING THE BRONCHOS
Central Oklahoma rolls into Tuesday's doubleheader riding a five-game winning streak and has won 10 of its last 11 games. The defending national champion Bronchos top the MIAA standings with a 17-1 mark and have already clinched a spot in the league's postseason tournament. UCO ranks 18th in NCAA Division II with a .355 team batting average and boasts a lineup with nine girls hitting better than .300 lead by sophomore second baseman Ally Dziadula (.400, 10 2B, 6 3B, 4 HR, 38 RBI). The Bronchos have combined for 102 extra base hits through 40 games this season while stealing 65 bases. Junior outfielder Kaylee Brunson (.397) is UCO's top base stealing threat with 33 swipes, while junior first baseman Emily Ditmore (.391, 10 2B, 6 HR, 41 RBI) and sophomore outfielder Brooke Zukerman (.358, 9 2B, 6 HR, 35 RBI) led the Bronchos in the power categories. Senior Kalynn Schrock (17-6, 1.28 ERA), sophomore Nicole Brady (8-0, 1.45 ERA) and senior Amanda McClelland (6-3, 2.52 ERA) have combined for 12 shutouts and 1.60 ERA which ranks 13th in NCAA Division II.
 
ABOUT THE SERIES
Midwestern State and Central Oklahoma meet for the 47th and 48th time on the diamond Tuesday in Edmond. The Mustangs hold a slim 24-22 edge in the series which dates back to the 2004 season. UCO claimed the last meeting between the teams by a 2-1 count earlier this season at the St. Mary's Classic in San Antonio and have won six of the last eight meetings. MSU did take two of three from the Bronchos last season taking a doubleheader sweep at Mustangs Park on March 26. Central Oklahoma is 10-7 against MSU in games played in Edmond.
 
MUSTANGS NOTABLES
- Midwestern snapped a seven-game skid with a 6-1 win over No. 24 Texas Woman's in Game 2 Saturday afternoon in Denton.
- The Mustangs are 8-9 on the road this season, but have dropped seven of their last eight away in hostile territory.
- MSU is 12-8 in Lone Star Conference and is also 12-8 against non-conference opponents this season.
- The Mustangs suffered a three-game homerless drought for the first time since early in the 2013 season before sophomore outfielder Katelyn Vinson smashed a three-run homer as part of a six-run fifth inning Saturday against TWU.
- TWU's Brandie Lander handcuffed the Mustangs for two shutouts -- both 8-0 run-rule wins in five innings -- including the first no-hit effort against an MSU squad in Game 1 Saturday in Denton.
- The Mustangs are 4-11 against nationally ranked opposition this season. Central Oklahoma is currently receiving votes in the NFCA Division II Poll.
- Vinson's three-run blast was her sixth of the season and 28th of her career tying her with Mallory Mooney (2009-12) and Rachael Jackson (2004-06) for the second most in program history.
- Vinson is hitting .463 (19-of-41) with three doubles, a triple and three homers while driving in 14 runs since returning to the starting lineup on March 13. She had missed nine games due to a shoulder injury.
- Redshirt freshman outfielder Demi Thompson hit .500 (3-for-6) with a double and an RBI while appearing in each of MSU's four game last weekend at Texas Woman's.
- Senior catcher Kim Jerrick drew six walks in 12 plate appearances last weekend at TWU.
- Junior third baseman Kelley Schaefer went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles in the in the series finale Saturday against TWU.
- Freshman pitcher Katlyn Holmes snapped a person three-game skid in the circle by limiting the Pioneers to one run on six hits in seven innings with four strikeouts to lead MSU to a 6-1 win Saturday to improve to 9-7 on the season.
 
MUSTANGS IN THE NATIONAL STATISTICAL RANKINGS
- The Mustangs rank third in NCAA Division II in home runs per game (1.58), eighth in slugging percentage (.557), 13th in scoring (7.22) and 39th in batting average (.326).
- Senior catcher Kim Jerrick ranks fifth in runs per game (1.35), eighth in home runs (12), 20th in home runs per game (0.35), 33rd in walks (0.68), 43rd in on-base percentage (.529) and 49th in slugging percentage (.782).
- Junior shortstop Katy Vandewater is 20th in home runs (10).
- Junior third baseman Kelley Schaefer ranks eighth with four sacrifice flies.
 
MILESTONES
- Senior catcher Kim Jerrick (52 home runs) needs five homers to overtake former West Texas A&M standout Kim LeComte for the Lone Star Conference's all-time lead in home runs. LeComte hit 56 homers from 2009-12.
- Sophomore outfielder Katelyn Vinson launched her 28th career homer Saturday against Texas Woman's to move into a tie for second place on MSU's all-time home run list matching Mallory Mooney (2009-12) and Rachael Jackson (2004-06). Only Jerrick has hit more home runs for the Mustangs.
- Jerrick needs three stolen bases to become just the third player in MSU history to swipe 50 bases in a career. Elena Bennett had 124 from 2010-13 and Nicki Duff stole 50 from 2009-12.
- Sophomore second baseman Shelby Carter played in her 100th career game while making her 100th start Saturday against Texas Woman's. Fellow sophomore Haley Howerton has also played in 100 games -- with 99 starts.
 
MSU UNDER BRADY TIGERT
Brady Tigert is in his 11th season at the helm at Midwestern State and is the program's lone head coach since it was resurrected in 2004. The Mustangs have averaged just over 40 wins a year under Tigert, who boasts a 425-196 (.684) record which includes NCAA Division II postseason trips in eight of 10 seasons. MSU finished as national semifinalists in 2011, claimed two regional titles (2010, 2011) and two Lone Star Conference championships (2006, 2007).
 
LOOKING AHEAD
Midwestern State hosts Cameron in a Lone Star Conference doubleheader Friday night at Mustangs Park. First pitches are set for 5 and 7 p.m. The teams play a twin bill in Lawton on Wednesday, April 16 to complete the series.