Bronchos Host Top-ranked Angelo State Tuesday

No. 19-ranked Central Oklahoma returns from a lengthy break Tuesday when the Bronchos host No. 1 Angelo State for a 1 p.m. doubleheader in a showdown of perennial NCAA Division II powers.

It's the end of an 11-game homestand for UCO, which hasn't played since Feb. 17. The Bronchos are 13-1 on the season and riding a nine-game winning streak, while the Rambelles of the Lone Star Conference are 14-5.

"Angelo State has one of the best teams in the country year after year so we know what a challenge this is going to be," head coach Cody White said. "They put it on us twice at their place last year and have a lot of firepower. The only way to get better is to go against teams like this and our girls are looking forward to it."

ASU holds a 19-12 lead in the series and swept a doubleheader last year in San Angelo, Texas. That was the first games between the two since 2012, when the Bronchos won a best-of-three series in the South Central Super Regional to advance to the Division II World Series.

Central has prospered behind a potent offense, with the Bronchos hitting .370 as a team while averaging 9.7 hits and 8.6 runs per game. Six players are batting better than .350, with three over .400.

Senior third baseman JoBi Heath leads the way with a .477 average that includes nine doubles, two home runs and 17 RBI. Senior first baseman Carli Jones is at .465 with five doubles, three homers and 18 RBI, while junior outfielder Hazel Puempel is hitting .409 with five doubles and 17 RBI.

Senior outfielder Bailey Thompson (.381, three triples), sophomore Lexy Dobson (.381, 13 RBI) and senior second baseman Casady Webb (.353, 16 RBI) are also over the .350 mark.

Junior Sydney McLeod and freshman Bailey McKittrick pace a pitching staff that has a 2.86 earned run average.

McLeod is 6-1 with a 1.34 ERA and two shutouts, having allowed just six earned runs in 31.1 innings. McKittrick is off to a 5-0 start and also has one save to go along with a 3.20 ERA.

ASU also features a powerful offense, with the Rambelles batting .344 as a team while averaging 9.4 hits and 8.5 runs per game.

Courtney Barnhill tops the team with a .348 average to go with eight doubles, five homers and 28 RBI. Jaegan Kirk is hitting .410 with seven doubles, three homers and 17 RBI.

Makayla Corbin leads the pitching staff with a 6-1 record and 2.96 ERA.

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Players Mentioned

#8 Lexy Dobson: OF; 5' 6"; Sophomore; R/R

#13 JoBi Heath: IF/OF; 5' 7"; Senior; R/R

#15 Carli Jones: 1B; 5' 7"; Senior; L/R

#22 Bailey Thompson: OF; 5' 4"; Senior; L/R

#7 Casady Webb: UT; 5' 5"; Senior; R/R

#27 Bailey McKittrick: P; 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R

#35 Sydney McLeod: P; 5' 10"; Junior; -/L

#28 Hazel Puempel: UT; 5' 9"; Junior; L/R

Players Mentioned

#8 Lexy Dobson
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF

#13 JoBi Heath
: 5' 7"; Senior; R/R
: IF/OF

#15 Carli Jones
: 5' 7"; Senior; L/R
: 1B

#22 Bailey Thompson
: 5' 4"; Senior; L/R
: OF

#7 Casady Webb
: 5' 5"; Senior; R/R
: UT

#27 Bailey McKittrick
: 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R
: P

#35 Sydney McLeod
: 5' 10"; Junior; -/L
: P

#28 Hazel Puempel
: 5' 9"; Junior; L/R
: UT