UCO Returns To League Play Friday

No. 25-ranked Central Oklahoma finishes off a six-game homestand this weekend when the Bronchos host a pair of Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association opponents.

The Bronchos, 16-6 on the season and 5-1 in the league, take on Lincoln (3-12-1, 1-5) Friday in a 2 p.m. doubleheader before meeting Central Missouri (13-3, 2-0) Saturday in a noon twinbill.

"I think we have a little momentum with the way we've played the last few games and hopefully we can build on that this weekend," head coach Cody White said. "Every conference game is important, especially at home, and we need to protect our own turf."

HOME SWEET HOME: Central is 10-0 at Broncho Stadium this season and has won 13 straight home games dating back to last year.

The Bronchos have an all-time record of 345-133-1 at Broncho Stadium, which opened in 1994 and underwent major renovations in 2016-17 that turned it into one of the finest facilities in NCAA Division II.

ABOUT THE BRONCHOS: UCO swept a non-conference doubleheader from Arkansas Tech Tuesday in its last outing, collecting 23 hits – including seven home runs – while outscoring the Golden Suns 25-7.

Shayla Harper led that offensive onslaught, going 6-for-9 with two homers and seven runs batted in. Jacee Minter and Hazel Puempel also had two homers on the day.

The Bronchos are average 7.8 hits and 6.2 runs a game while hitting .291 as a team, with five players batting .341 or better.

Tarin Dubler, who will return to action this weekend after missing the last six games, leads the way with a .368 average along with three doubles and 10 RBI.

Allie Eicher is hitting .352 with four doubles, three homers and 14 RBI and Mikayla Rutland is at .348 with three doubles. Puempel (.343) and Harper (.341) share the team lead in homers with five each and Puempel tops UCO in RBI with 17.

The Bronchos have a team earned run average of 3.12 while allowing 6.9 hits and 3.5 runs per contest.

Corrina Rivas and Kylee Lynch have been workhorses in the circle for UCO, having combined to pitch 118 2/3 of 143 2/3 innings.

Rivas is 8-2 with a 2.23 ERA in 59 2/3 innings and opponents are hitting just .235 against her. Lynch is 7-3 with a 3.80 ERA and has walked just 11 batters in 59 innings.

ABOUT THE BLUE TIGERS: Lincoln, which has lost five straight, is hitting .254 while averaging 6.3 hits and 3.2 runs a game.

Jacqueline Marquez leads the offense with a .415 average and three doubles, while Emily Williams is hitting .333 with a team-high nine RBI and Jordan Lawson .304.

The pitching staff gives up 8.4 hits and 6.6 runs per game and has a cumulative 5.96 ERA.

Maddie Welker (2-3, 4.50 ERA) and Tressa Hughes (1-4, 5.54 ERA) and LU's top starters.

UCO has dominated the series, holding an 18-1 lead. The lone loss was a 7-5 setback in 2015 and the Bronchos have won the last nine meetings.

ABOUT THE JENNIES: Central Missouri will take a four-game winning streak into a Friday doubleheader at Newman before coming to UCO.

The Jennies feature the league's top offense with a .354 team average. UCM averages 9.1 hits and 6.2 runs per contest.

Four players are hitting over .400 – Makenzie Cooper (.567), Bailey Fowler (.467), Abby Fischer (.420) and Makenzie McAtee (.409). Cooper has five doubles, four homers and 13 RBI, while Fowler, Fisher and McAtee have three homers apiece.

UCM is giving up 5.8 hits and 3.0 runs a game behind a staff ERA of 2.55.

Sadie Parks (4-1, 2.25 ERA) and Gentry Wishard (3-0, 2.39 ERA) paced the pitchers. Parks has struck out 32 batters in 28 innings and Wishard has walked just three batters in 26 1/3 innings.

The two teams first met in 1989 and the Jennies won the first nine games between the two, though the series is now tied 18-18. The Bronchos have won the last three meetings.

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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

#3 Mikayla Rutland: UT; 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R

#11 Shayla Harper: IF; 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R

#12 Jacee Minter: OF; 5' 6"; Freshman; R/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

#3 Mikayla Rutland
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R
: UT

#11 Shayla Harper
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R
: IF

#12 Jacee Minter
: 5' 6"; Freshman; R/R
: OF