Softball 3/6/2026 8:00:00 AM

UCO Returns Home To Host Drury Saturday

No. 14-ranked Bronchos Are 18-4 and Riding an Eight-game Winning Streak

EDMOND – No. 14-ranked Central Oklahoma returns home after a lengthy road trip Saturday when the Bronchos host Drury for a noon doubleheader at Gerry Pinkston Stadium.

UCO is 18-4 on the season and riding an eight-game winning streak, while the Panthers from Springfield, Missouri are 5-8.

It's the first home appearance since the Bronchos hosted four games during the UCO/OC Classic Feb. 6-8. Central has played 12 straight neutral-site games since then in three different tournaments.

"This will be a great weekend matchup against a very competitive Drury team," head coach Sam Maples said. "We are staying consistent in our process and preparation. This team is fun to watch and we're excited to be back home in front of our fans!"

The Bronchos will be back home next weekend to host Texas A&M-International for a doubleheader before going to No. 13 Oklahoma Christian for a single game March 17. UCO opens MIAA play at home March 20 against Washburn.

UCO swept five games at the Top Gun Midwest College Classic in Shawnee, Kansas last weekend, ending four of those contests early on the eight-run rule.

Shelby Beard and Rylee Lemos led the charge in that event in claiming MIAA Pitcher and Hitter of the Week honors.

Beard was named the league's top pitcher after going 3-0 with a 1.31 earned run average and 22 strikeouts in 16 innings. Lemos was the offensive catalyst, batting .533 (8-for-15) with three doubles, a triple, home run and seven runs batted in.

Beard continues to lead the pitching staff with a 10-2 record and 2.69 ERA in 67.2 innings. The junior ranks second nationally in games started (13), second in wins and 11th in strikeouts (69).

Freshman Carleigh Kinnard has also been a workhorse in the circle with an 8-1 record and 3.99 ERA. She's fanned 78 batters in 59.2 innings, which ranks ninth in Division II.

UCO's offense is also among the best in Division II, with the Bronchos leading the nation in doubles while 56 while also ranking second in runs (173), third in RBI (157), fourth in walks (90), seventh in scoring (7.85 runs/game), ninth in slugging percentage (.571) and 10th in hits (204).

Sophomore Jenna Jobe leads the way with a .394 average and Division II-best 12 doubles, while junior Brooklyn Ryan is hitting .391 with eight stolen bases, sophomore Brooklyn Lyles .381 and senior Kennedy Clark .368 with 23 RBI

Senior All-American Rylee Lemos is at .365 with nine doubles, five triples, three homers and 33 RBI. She's had at least one hit in 10 of the last 11 games and ranks in the top 10 nationally in three categories – fifth in triples (five), seventh in runs (27) and 10th in RBI (33).

Senior Sherri Mason has provided a huge offensive boost the last seven games, having hit .526 (10-for-19) with five doubles, two homers and 11 RBI in that stretch.

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Players Mentioned

#11 Shelby Beard: P; 5' 9"; Junior; R/R

#14 Kennedy Clark: C/1B; 5' 7"; Senior; L/L

#8 Rylee Lemos: OF; 5' 6"; Senior; L/R

#13 Brooklyn Lyles: IF; 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R

#21 Sherri Mason: UT; 5' 4"; Senior; R/R

#7 Brooklyn Ryan: OF; 5' 4"; Junior; R/R

#1 Jenna Jobe: C/IF; 5' 6"; Sophomore; L/R

Players Mentioned

#11 Shelby Beard
: 5' 9"; Junior; R/R
: P

#14 Kennedy Clark
: 5' 7"; Senior; L/L
: C/1B

#8 Rylee Lemos
: 5' 6"; Senior; L/R
: OF

#13 Brooklyn Lyles
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R
: IF

#21 Sherri Mason
: 5' 4"; Senior; R/R
: UT

#7 Brooklyn Ryan
: 5' 4"; Junior; R/R
: OF

#1 Jenna Jobe
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; L/R
: C/IF