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Jessie Brown

Softball Mark McGee

Softball Begins Conference Play At Kennesaw State

LIPSCOMB vs. KENNESAW STATE
Where: Kennesaw, Ga. - Bailey Park
When: March 13-14
Live Stats: Saturday Game 1 available here
                Saturday Game 2 available here
                Sunday available here
Watch: YouTube available here (Saturday only)

KENNESAW, Ga. – Games against non-conference opponents are important, but they are really a high-level dress rehearsal in preparation for conference play.

It is a time for evaluating and tweaking. Coaching a team that is talented, but young, Lipscomb's Kristin Ryman and her staff have been working hard to find a consistent approach to games.

"We are still trying to figure out our own identity as a team," Ryman said. "Ideally, you would like to get to this point of the season and have a good feel for that. We are learning something about ourselves every time we go out."

The Lady Bisons are opening the ASUN portion of the schedule on the road at Kennesaw State. Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for noon and 2 p.m. Sunday's game starts at noon at Bailey Park.

Lipscomb is 9-8. Kennesaw State, coming off a loss to Florida, is 6-10.

"There is a lot of stuff we are still trying to figure out," Ryman said. "We are challenging our players daily and will continue to do that. Our biggest focus right now is what do we need to do? How can we be prepared for these games?

"Our goal is to make our players better. It is our job to make them better. We are going to keep finding lots of little ways to bring out the best in them."

Brea Dickey leads the Owls with a .347 batting average. Lexi Solorzano is hitting .341. Taylor Cates is tops on the team with four home runs and 13 runs batted in.
Melanie Bennett is 5-6 with a 4.91 earned run average.

"Kennesaw on paper doesn't look like they are off to a strong start, but the reality is they have played a tough schedule," Ryman said. "I think their numbers are skewed from that.

"I think they are a very good team. They will be near the top before it is all said and done."

Amy Vetula paces Lipscomb at the plate with a .389 average. She is tied with Olivia Ward for the RBI lead with 11.

Also hitting higher than .300 are Kamrie Rich (.345) and Kyndall Crawford (.375).

"We have been working on our situational hitting," Ryman said. "Our hitters have done a pretty good job on average all year, but in some games we have really struggled.

"We have been leaving a lot of runners on base more often than not in some games. Our situational hitting has not been great. We have emphasized having a plan when you step in the box. It is more about game situation adjustments. What is your job in the moment?"

Breana Burke is 6-2 with a 2.23 ERA in the circle. Katie Turner made her season debut in the loss to Belmont Wednesday. She bolsters the staff with her experience.

On the road it is always a key to establish the direction of the game early. Ryman stresses that goes beyond just the offense.

"I want us to go into attack mode this weekend, but I want us to do it from every angle – offensively, defensively and pitching," Ryman said. "When you are playing in an ASUN game and you get on the defensive in a hurry it is hard to get out of it. The quicker we can figure that out the better chance we have to be successful."
 
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Players Mentioned

Amy Vetula

#1 Amy Vetula

OF
5' 6"
Sophomore
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
Kyndall Crawford

#27 Kyndall Crawford

OF
5' 4"
Freshman
Breana Burke

#8 Breana Burke

P
5' 4"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Amy Vetula

#1 Amy Vetula

5' 6"
Sophomore
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
Kyndall Crawford

#27 Kyndall Crawford

5' 4"
Freshman
OF
Breana Burke

#8 Breana Burke

5' 4"
Graduate Student
P
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