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Shayleigh Odom
Shayleigh Odom

Softball

Bronchos Go To OC, Then Host Three Games

Central Oklahoma continues a rugged early-season schedule this week with a short road trip before making its 2024 home debut.
 
The Bronchos, who went 1-3 in the season-opening Mardi Gras Invitational last weekend in Louisiana, go to Oklahoma City Thursday to face Oklahoma Christian (1-3) in a 4 p.m. single contest before hosting three games Friday and Saturday in the UCO/OC Festival.
 
UCO meets Oklahoma Baptist (1-2) at 1:30 p.m. Friday, then returns to Gerry Pinkston Stadium Saturday to face Southern Nazarene (2-2) at 1:30 p.m. and Maryville (0-0) at 3:30.

The Bronchos were ranked No. 3 in the NCAA Division II preseason poll, while OC was No. 16 and OBU No. 22. The Bison defeated UCO 2-1 last week in Louisiana.
 
"We certainly didn't play anywhere near our capabilities last week," head coach Cody White said. "Yes we played four good teams, but I was disappointed with our performance and that's the main thing.
 
"It's really early, so there's no need to panic or anything like that. We have a good team. We just have to go out there and play like I know we can."
 
ABOUT THE BRONCHOS: UCO opened the season last Friday with back-to-back 2-1 losses, falling to OBU in the first game and perennial power Augustana in the second.
 
Saturday's game with Tuskogee was rained out, then the Bronchos throttled returning national tournament team Harding 10-1 in their first game Sunday before giving up nine runs in the final two innings of a 9-6 loss to Texas A&M-Kingsville.
 
UCO batted just .235 in the four games while scoring 18 runs.
 
Senior standout Jacee Minter led the Bronchos, hitting a robust .455 (5-for-11) with one home run and four runs batted in. Sophomore Rylee Lemos had a .333 average (4-for-12) with four stolen bases.
 
Minter ranks in the top 10 in five career categories at UCO – fourth in doubles (50), fifth in homers (35) and RBI (159), tied for eighth in runs (142) and ninth in hits (204).
 
Terin Ritz went 1-1 with a 2.10 earned run average in the pitching circle. She walked just one batter in 10 innings.
 
ABOUT GPS: UCO has enjoyed great success in Gerry Pinkston Stadium, which is named after former long-time head coach Gerry Pinkston.
 
The Bronchos have a 433-150-1 record in the facility that ranks as one of the best in Division II, including a stellar 187-41 mark under 11th-year head coach Cody White.
 
UCO went 24-3 at home last year.
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Players Mentioned

Rylee Lemos

#8 Rylee Lemos

OF
5' 6"
Sophomore
L/R
Jacee Minter

#12 Jacee Minter

OF
5' 6"
Senior
R/R
Terin Ritz

#99 Terin Ritz

P/1B
5' 8"
Junior
R/R

Players Mentioned

Rylee Lemos

#8 Rylee Lemos

5' 6"
Sophomore
L/R
OF
Jacee Minter

#12 Jacee Minter

5' 6"
Senior
R/R
OF
Terin Ritz

#99 Terin Ritz

5' 8"
Junior
R/R
P/1B
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