Tori Beltz hit her sixth home run of the season on Wednesday at Colorado Mines and leads the team with a .309 batting average, a .618 slugging percentage and 16 RBI this season. Samantha Villlarreal (.294) and Erin Elmore (.250) each have five doubles while Amanda Vaupel (.284) is second on the team with four doubles and three home runs, driving in 10.
Paxton Duran (6-5) just missed a no-hitter on Wednesday but climbed over the .500 mark for the first time this season. Duran has struck out a team-high 86 in 71.2 innings, tossing six complete games with 32 walks allowed. Kelsey Kimminau was just as strong on Wednesday (8.1 innings pitched, six strikeouts, one run allowed), but drew a no-decision in the extra inning game. Kimminau (4-6) has a 2.94 ERA this season with 29 strikeouts in 66.2 innings pitched.
Lincoln (2-18, 1-7 MIAA) lost 13 straight to start the season, but has picked up wins over Central Oklahoma and Quincy in the past 10 days. Sam Kircher’s offensive production (.373 average, four doubles, three home runs, eight RBI) paces the Blue Tigers in all categories, while Macie Kinsey is the only other Lincoln player hitting above .300 this season (.313, two doubles, six RBI). In the circle, Kinsey’s 2-3 record and 8.69 ERA leads the team, striking out 13 in 29 innings pitched.
Lindenwood (4-20, 1-7 MIAA) has lost eight of its last 10 entering the weekend, and will take on Nebraska-Kearney on Friday prior to hosting the Tigers. Alexis Theis leads the Lions with a .373 average this season, racking up five doubles, three home runs and 16 RBI. Madison Huot (.349) and Alexandra Newcome (.338) each have six doubles, one behind Rachel Overton’s team-leading seven doubles. In the circle, LWU has been limited by a 6.71 combined ERA through 24 games, as Kendal Ryndak’s 5.23 ERA is a team-low. Ryndak has struck out 75 batters in 63.2 innings and is 2-8 on the year.