Bronchos Ready For Weekend Tourney

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No. 23-ranked Central Oklahoma takes a break from its conference schedule this weekend when the Bronchos travel to Emporia, Kan. for the Hy-Vee Classic.

UCO was originally slated to play four games against four different opponents in St. Joseph, Mo. this weekend, but weather changes forced several changes to the event that will now be held at three different sites.

The Bronchos, 12-4 on the season, will have two games each against Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference members Augustana and Sioux Falls. Central will take on the No. 3 Vikings (4-2) at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday before playing the Cougars (3-5) at 12 p.m. both days.

"They had to make a lot of changes to the schedule to make it work," head coach Cody White said. "We're just looking forward to getting back on the field. Obviously it will be a big challenge for us this weekend, but we're excited about the opportunity to play two really good teams."

ABOUT THE BRONCHOS: UCO hasn't played since splitting a road doubleheader with Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association foe and now-No. 8-rated Rogers State last Thursday. The Bronchos went 5-1 in opening league play last week.

Offensively, Central is batting .285 as a team while averaging 7.5 hits and 5.7 runs per game.

Allie Eicher leads the way with a sizzling .464 average that includes three doubles, three home runs and 11 runs batted in. The reigning MIAA Hitter of the Week has a .778 slugging percentage and a .583 on-base percentage.

Two other players are hitting able .350 – Tarin Dubler at .368 with three doubles and Hazel Puempel at .358 with four doubles, two triples, two homers and 12 RBI.

In the pitching circle the Bronchos have a 2.97 team earned run average. Opponents are averaging 6.5 hits and 3.3 runs a game against UCO.

Right-hander Corrina Rivas paces the pitching staff with a 6-2 record and 2.18 ERA, with opponents hitting just .229 against her. Left-hander Kylee Lynch is 6-1 with a 3.05 ERA and has walked just eight batters in 43. 2 innings.

ABOUT THE VIKINGS: Augustana eliminated UCO in the Central Super Regional in 2019 en route to winning the national championship and has won nine of the last 10 meetings between the two teams.

The Vikings, who haven't played since Feb. 28, have split a doubleheader with No. 2 Texas A&M-Commerce and own a win over No. 6 Texas-Tyler.

Augie is hitting .314 as a team while averaging 9.0 hits and 7.5 runs per game.

Three players are hitting above .420 – Abbie Lund (.474), Amanda Dickmeyer (.450) and Kendal Cornick (.429, three homers, nine RBI).

The Vikings are giving up 6.8 hits and 4.2 runs a game with a 3.74 team ERA.

Ashley Mickshi is 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA and Amber Elliot is 2-1 with a 5.35 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 17 innings.

ABOUT THE COUGARS: Sioux Falls plays a doubleheader at Central Missouri Friday before taking on UCO.

The Cougars average 5.9 hits and 2.6 runs a game with a .228 team average. Damaris Cuevas is hitting .500 and Kylan Straight .346 to lead the way.

Sioux Falls' team ERA is 3.92, with the team giving up 8.3 hits and 3.8 runs a contest. Kaitlyn VanDerZwaag (1-2, 3.00 ERA) and Hanna Cress (2-2, 4.25) pace the pitching staff.

The Bronchos and Sioux Falls are tied 1-1 in a short series and this is the first meeting between the two since a 6-1 UCO win in 2017.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Allie Eicher: IF; 5' 7"; Junior; L/R

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

#4 Tarin Dubler: IF; 5' 7"; Junior; R/R

#13 Corrina Rivas: P; 5' 7"; Junior; R/R

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

Players Mentioned

#10 Allie Eicher
: 5' 7"; Junior; L/R
: IF

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

#4 Tarin Dubler
: 5' 7"; Junior; R/R
: IF

#13 Corrina Rivas
: 5' 7"; Junior; R/R
: P

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