Aces looking for big non-conference victories
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – With a weekend of conference play in the books, the University of Evansville softball team has its sights set on a big non-conference doubleheader as the Purple Aces head to Lawrence, Kan. for to face Kansas on Tuesday.
Game one is set for an 11 a.m. start on Tuesday with game two set to follow at approximately 1 p.m.
Evansville stands at 11-12 after the MVC-opening series. The Aces hosted Drake over the weekend, losing three games by a total of four runs. The Bulldogs defeated the Aces by a 4-2 final in the first game on Saturday before taking a 4-3 triumph in the second game. Sunday’s series finale saw Drake hang on for a 3-2 victory.
A much-improved UE pitching staff has performed admirably thus far. The Aces have pitched their way to a 3.05 ERA, which ranks 4th in the Valley. That is over three runs under last year’s final tally of 6.61. True freshman Morgan Florey currently stands at a 1.48 ERA, the lowest in the MVC. She has pitched out 91 batters in 61 2/3 innings of work.
Amanda Blankenship has also done well, standing with a 3.56 ERA while going 59 innings.
Michal Luckett continues to lead the squad, batting .360. She has notched a team-high 27 hits and is second in runs scored (13) and RBIs (11).
Kansas enters Tuesday’s matchup with a 17-10 mark. The Jayhawks have won three of their last four games, including a 9-0 win over Saint Louis on Sunday. Chaley Brickley leads the KU offense, batting .410. She has notched 32 hits in 78 at-bats and has scored 26 runs on the season. She also ranks second on the squad with 6 home runs.
The Jayhawks have several threats at the top of the lineup with four batters hitting .369 or higher. KU has a team ERA of 2.84 and are led by Andie Formby, who has notched a 1.76 ERA in 75 2/3 innings.
