Softball 2/20/2021 9:26:00 AM

UCO Returns To Action Sunday

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EDMOND – Central Oklahoma's unbeaten softball team returns from a weather-induced two-week break to host the UCO Festival Sunday and Monday at Broncho Stadium.

The Bronchos will take on Colorado Christian at 5:30 p.m. Sunday and Chadron State at 12:30 p.m. Monday, with three other games on tap each day. Click here for the full schedule.

A limited number of spectators will be allowed inside Broncho Stadium due to ongoing COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Tickets are $5 and will only be sold at the gate on a CASH ONLY basis and the stadium will be cleared after each game. Spectators will be required to wear face coverings.

Coach Cody White's crew hasn't played since going 4-0 in the season-opening UCO Classic Feb. 5-6. The Broncho Invitational was canceled the following weekend by extreme cold and this week's event was pushed back two days by snow.

"It's been really tough with all the weather challenges we've already had," said White, who is 268-110 in his eighth year at the Central helm. "Obviously we haven't been able to do much of anything outside in the last couple of weeks and that's hampered us, but we're looking forward to getting back on the field."

Colorado Christian and Chadron State, both members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, will be making their 2021 season debuts this weekend. CCU went 20-7 in the COVID-shortened 2020 season and split two meetings with the Bronchos, while Chadron was 10-13 last year and beat UCO 3-0 in an early-season game.

UCO outscored its four opponents 30-13 in the UCO Classic, which included one-run wins over Cameron (9-8) and Ouachita Baptist (4-3).

Junior shortstop Brighton Gilbert led the offense that weekend and is batting .529 with two doubles and a triple. Freshman third baseman Taylor McKittrick is hitting .462 and senior outfielder Hazel Puempel is at .400 with a double, triple, home run and five runs batted in.

Freshman Kylee Lynch is 3-0 in the pitching circle, having picked up two wins in a starting role and one in relief. Opponents are hitting just .234 against her.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Brighton Gilbert: IF; 5' 5"; Junior; L/R

#28 Hazel Puempel: OF; 5' 9"; Senior; L/R

#22 Kylee Lynch: P; 5' 8"; Freshman; L/R

#23 Taylor McKittrick: IF; 5' 6"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#5 Brighton Gilbert
: 5' 5"; Junior; L/R
: IF

#28 Hazel Puempel
: 5' 9"; Senior; L/R
: OF

#22 Kylee Lynch
: 5' 8"; Freshman; L/R
: P

#23 Taylor McKittrick
: 5' 6"; Freshman; R/R
: IF