Softball team heads to St.George for tournament
For the third time this season, the USU women’s softball team will play five games in a three-day tournament – only this time it will have the services of sophomore outfielder Markean Neal.
Following a two-week break, USU will travel to St. George this weekend to participate in the Red Desert Classic, a tournament hosted by the University of Utah.
The Aggies will play the University of Missouri and Oklahoma State University at noon and 2 p.m. Friday. USU will take the mound Saturday against Big West Conference rival the University of California at Santa Barbara at noon and the University of Nebraska at 2 p.m.
Play will conclude Sunday when USU takes on the Utes at 11 a.m.
This will be Neal’s first action of the season after missing the first 10 games, said USU head coach Pam McCreesh. Because of her injury, Neal will not be able to bat, but will help the team with her ability to field the ball, McCreesh said.
Despite going 1-4 in the Campbell/Cartier Classic in San Diego, Calif., two weeks ago, McCreesh said the Aggies showed considerable improvement at the plate.
“I thought we were swinging at better pitches,” she said. “We were definitely more disciplined at the plate.”
McCreesh said she was worried the team might be a bit rusty, considering it’s had to practice indoors the last two weeks. USU can ill afford to get off to a slow start as it faces No. 17 Nebraska and Utah – which was ranked No. 25 in the pre-season poll – among other teams.
While the Cornhuskers only sport a 7-7 record on the season, their losses have come against teams ranked in the top 25. Utah, 6-6 on the season, has lost four games against ranked opponents or opponents receiving votes for the top 25. Both teams are strong at the plate as the Cornhuskers have five starters with at least a .300 batting average. The Utes are led by freshman slugger Melissa Stahnke, who has belted five home runs and bats .385.
“Utah and Nebraska hit the ball very well,” McCreesh said.
USU and Missouri will face off for the second time this season. The Aggies defeated the Tigers (5-10 on the season) 6-1 Feb. 9 at the Fiesta Bowl Tournament. OSU enters the tournament with a 6-6 record. The Cowgirls defeated the Aggies 6-3 last season.
Although the Aggies finished ahead of UC Santa Barbara in last season’s BWC standings, the Gauchos emerged victorious in all three meetings between the two teams. UCSB is 5-8 on the year.