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Softball Mark McGee

Softball welcomes Northern Iowa to Draper Diamond for home opener

Wednesday, February 24
Time: 1:00 p.m. /3:00 p.m.
Location: Draper Diamond| Nashville, Tenn.
Links: YouTube | Live Stats

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It is always good to be back home again.

After two road trip weekends the Lipscomb softball team makes it first appearance on home turf this season at Draper Diamond.

The Lady Bisons, 3-2, will be  putting their three-game win streak on the line when the University of Northern Iowa, 2-2, stops by for a doubleheader Wednesday afternoon. The first game begins at 1 p.m. with the nightcap scheduled for 3.

The Lady Bisons finished 3-2 in the Jaguar Classic in Mobile, Alabama this past weekend. They were delayed in starting the season after weather conditions prevented the playing of the Bayou Classic in Monroe, Louisiana and forced the team to take an early trip back home two weeks ago.

Coach Kristin Ryman liked many things she saw from her team, especially in the three victories.

Three Lady Bisons are hitting at the .300 level. Catcher Kamrie Rich leads the team with a .375 average. Shortstop Amy Vetula is batting  .353 and leads the team with four RBI and two stolen bases. Third baseman Olivia Ward has posted a .308 average with a double and a home run. Right fielder Caitlin Turner is hitting .294.

Ryman calls the offensive approach "a pass the bat" mentality.

"One batter is not going to have to try to do it all," Ryman said. "RBIs are going to  be distributed through our lineup.

"We have hammered the idea of batters going up and saying `I am going  to give it my best shot and if it doesn't happen for me then I feel  very confident in the girl behind me'. When you build that trust in an offense together there is a little less worry in the box. We want them to be hungry and aggressive and looking  for their pitch."

Ryman sent four different pitchers to the circle in the Jaguar Classic. With Katie Turner sidelined unto sometime in March, the pitching has been crucial.

Freshman Laine Barefoot leads the staff with a 0.78 earned run average and 1-0 record. Breana Burke is 1-1 with one save with a 1.91 ERA. Maddie Siemer is 1-0 with  a 2.21 ERA. Both Burke and Siemer are graduate transfers.

"Bree is our  No.  1 right now," Ryman said. "It is a role she is comfortable in and excited about. She brings a leadership  we need at that position. Adding her this year has been huge for us.

"Maddie is someone we feel very strong about. Her getting off to a good start is important. We see lot of good things in her."

Barefoot has thrown the only shutout of the season so far, a 4-0 effort against Murray State.

"We have seen Laine's  confidence grow and grow," Ryman said. "I really like her upside."

Sammey Bunch paces Northern Iowa in several offensive categories including batting average (.385), home runs (3) and RBI  (6). Sammy Moss is  batting .364.

Hannah Kelley leads the Northern Iowa pitching staff with a 2-0 record and 2.21 earned run average.

"We want everyone to understand their roles and to really own them," Ryman said.  "We want our girls to play to their strengths and be really good with what they do best."
 

 
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Players Mentioned

Amy Vetula

#1 Amy Vetula

OF
5' 6"
Sophomore
Caitlin Turner

#2 Caitlin Turner

IF/OF
5' 3"
Junior
Kamrie Rich

#16 Kamrie Rich

C/IF
5' 8"
Redshirt Freshman
Katie Turner

#31 Katie Turner

P/IF
5' 6"
Sophomore
Olivia Ward

#10 Olivia Ward

IF/OF
5' 8"
Sophomore
Breana Burke

#8 Breana Burke

P
5' 4"
Graduate Student
Laine Barefoot

#11 Laine Barefoot

P
5' 10"
Freshman
Maddie Siemer

#23 Maddie Siemer

P
5' 10"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Amy Vetula

#1 Amy Vetula

5' 6"
Sophomore
OF
Caitlin Turner

#2 Caitlin Turner

5' 3"
Junior
IF/OF
Kamrie Rich

#16 Kamrie Rich

5' 8"
Redshirt Freshman
C/IF
Katie Turner

#31 Katie Turner

5' 6"
Sophomore
P/IF
Olivia Ward

#10 Olivia Ward

5' 8"
Sophomore
IF/OF
Breana Burke

#8 Breana Burke

5' 4"
Graduate Student
P
Laine Barefoot

#11 Laine Barefoot

5' 10"
Freshman
P
Maddie Siemer

#23 Maddie Siemer

5' 10"
Graduate Student
P
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