Softball season is in full swing for Lone Star Conference teams. Angelo State is still undefeated at 15-0 marking the second-best start in school history, while Midwestern State continues its best start in program history at 15-1.
LSC softball teams are 102-60 overall, with a 54-35 record in the South and 48-25 in the North this season. The squads are currently 32-19 combined versus Heartland Conference squads and 18-11 against the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, which are the other two conferences in the NCAA South Central Region.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
NORTH HITTER
Emily Kennemer, East Central University, JR, First Baseman, Mesquite, Texas, Mesquite HS
Kennemer hit for the cycle as ECU blanked Pittsburg State 8-0 in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday. She drove home three runs in the contest. For the week, she had a 1.250 slugging percentage and a .636 on-base percentage for the week. She was 4-for-8 from the plate in the three game series with PSU.
NORTH PITCHER
Kristina Gutierrez, Midwestern State University, SR, Pitcher, Pearland, Texas, Dobie HS
Gutierrez weaved the third no-hitter in program history then followed by taking a no-no into the seventh inning as Midwestern State roll to a 4-0 showing at the MSU Invitational last weekend. The senior from Pearland struck out 14 and walked just two batters to no-hit Eastern New Mexico 10-0 on Friday, then allowed a one-hit single in the seventh inning in a one-hit win over Drury (Mo.) Sunday afternoon. For the week, Gutierrez limited the opposition to a .027 batting average while allowing one hit in 12 innings in the circle. She fanned 28 and walked two.
SOUTH HITTER
DeeshanaLynn Tafiti, Angelo State University, JR, 3B, Kalaheo, Hawaii, Waimea HS
Tafiti hit .526 (10-for-19) at the Southeastern Oklahoma Invitational and helped lead the third-ranked Angelo State softball team to a 6-0 week. Tafiti drove in 11 RBIs, while blasting two home runs and scoring five times during the seven-day stretch. The Kalaheo, Hawaii native had a team-high 1.000 slugging percentage and a .571 on-base percentage
SOUTH PITCHER
Mary Kate McKay, Angelo State University, FR, Pitcher, Madill, Okla., Madill HS
McKay went 3-0 on the week and improved to 8-0 on the season. The freshman threw three complete games at the Southeastern Oklahoma Invitational, allowing just two earned runs in 21.0 innings of work for a 0.67 ERA. The Madhill, Okla., native held her opponents to a .197 batting average during the tournament.