Game Time...The Red Raider softball team heads to Sioux City for a weekend doubleheader against Morningside. First pitch at the Mustangs softball field is scheduled for 2pm. Northwestern is currently in eighth place in the GPAC standings with a 3-3 record, 10-15 overall. Morningside is second in the GPAC, one game in back of Midland, at 10-2 and 17-6 overall.

Follow the games live, via live stats, at this link: Live Stats!

All-Time...Northwestern went 2-1 last year against the Mustangs, splitting a double header during the regular season and then earning a win at the GPAC Tournament. The Red Raiders are 4-6 over the last 10 and 14-29 all-time against Morningside. 

Scouting Reports...

    Morningside Mustangs: 10-2 (2nd), 17-6        Head Coach: Jessica Jones-Sitzman (20th year)

The Mustangs have won eight straight games, going a perfect 8-0 in the month of April. They have swept Dakota State, Mount Marty, Briar Cliff and Concordia during their streak and have not lost since dropping game two against Dakota Wesleyan 3-2 on March 30. Morningside is currently 10-2 in league play, second behind Midland, 17-6 overall. 

Hired as head coach in 1999, Jones-Sitzman is in her 20th season in charge of the Mustangs softball program. She is the all-time winningest coach in the program, owning a 682-362 record and leading her teams to 13 30+ win season. Jones-Sitzman helped lead her team to a 29-13 record last season, sharing the GPAC regular season title with Midland at 16-4. Five starters and 12 players return from last year's team.

By the Numbers... (GPAC Rank)
    Runs / Game - 6.8 (1st)                            Runs vs / Game - 3.2 (2nd)
    Hits / Game - 9.1 (1st)                              Hits vs / Game - 5.7 (2nd)
    Batting Ave. - .333 (1st)                            Batting Ave. vs - .226 (2nd)
    HR - 18 (1st)                                             HR vs - 9
    Stolen Bases - 29 (4th)                             Stolen Bases vs - 9
    ERA - 2.30 (2nd)                    
    Strikeouts - 112 (5th)
    BB - 53

Leaders...(GPAC rank)
    Rebecca Riley - .404 (10th), 12 runs, 2 HR, 16 RBI
    Ellie Cropley - .395, 21 runs, 13 2B (1st), 2 HR, 18 RBI
    Morgan Nixon - .394, 14 runs, 22 RBI (5th)
    Courtney Joiner - .383, 13 runs
    Hallie Misiaszek (1st team all-conference)  10-2, 1.72 ERA  81.1 IP, 67 K's
    Alex Nelson  3-1, 3.11  36 IP, 9 BB, 30 K's

Northwestern College:  3-3 (8th), 10-15       Head Coach: Shane Bouman

The Red Raiders had their three-game win streak halted last time out, falling to #24 Grand View 10-2 and 12-4 in Des Moines on Tuesday afternoon. Northwestern has won its last three GPAC games, however, winning game two against Doane and taking a pair from Hastings last weekend. They are 3-3 in the conference, 10-15 overall.

By the Numbers... (GPAC rank)
    Runs / Game - 5.5 (5th)                           Runs vs / Game - 5 (7th)
    Hits / Game - 7.9 (8th)                             Hits vs / Game - 8.1 (9th)
    Batting Ave. - .321 (6th)                           Batting Ave. vs - .298 (9th)
    HR - 7 (10th)                                            HR vs - 10
    Stolen Bases - 35 (3rd)                            Stolen Bases vs - 24
    ERA - 3.14 (6th)                    
    Strikeouts - 104 (9th)
    BB - 47
    
    Leaders...(NAIA rank if top 10)
    Jennifer Boeve - .443 (4th), 16 runs, 8 RBIs (9-game hit streak)
    Saige Pennel - .435, 2 runs, 5 RBIs
    Bri Giordano - .422, 12 runs, 2 HR, 16 RBIs 
    Amber Schubert - .375, 24 runs, 3 HR (8th), 19 RBI
    Samantha Ubben - 3-4, 3.00 ERA, 52 K's, 58.1 IP
    Emma Schnell - 6-9, 2.67 ERA, 73.1 IP, 43 K's