By: Bryan Shepherd, Assistant Sports Information Director
INSTITUTE, W.Va. — The Yellow Jackets hope to turn things around this weekend. WVSU started the season 11-1 in conference play and 14-10 overall, but are 3-9 since dropping two to UC on April 6, falling to 17-19 overall and 14-10 in the MEC. This weekend the Yellow Jackets have two critical doubleheaders against the top two teams in the South Division in Davis & Elkins and West Virginia Wesleyan. First pitch for game one of each doubleheader is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
THE BUZZ ON THE YELLOW JACKETS
WVSU dropped a doubleheader to Notre Dame College, split a doubleheader against Alderson Broaddus and dropped two more against Charleston in a mid-week matchup, going 1-5 for the week. The Jacket bats are hitting just .268 overall led by senior Kasey Murphy, who bats at .354. She also leads the team in home runs with eight. Overall, the team bats 11th in the 12 team conference. Murphy is ranked 18th overall in the conference in batting average.
SCOUTING THE SENATORS
The Senators come into today's matchup with a 19-22 overall record and a second place record of 15-7. D&E are ranked fifth in the conference in batting with a .288 overall average, led by Mia Mendoza who bats .386 with three home runs.
Their pitching staff is ranked 10th in conference overall and in the bottom of the South Division, giving up 5.63 earned runs per game. Jenna Evans leads the charge with a 4.20 ERA, giving up 40 walks and 41 strikeouts.
SCOUTING THE BOBCATS
West Virginia Wesleyan have the hottest bats in the league, with a team batting average of .311 and are tied for the most home runs hit in the league with 24. They are also tied with Davis & Elkins and Frostburg State. Alli Robinson leads the bats with a .385 batting average and 10 home runs.
WVWC's pitching staff is also ranked at the top of the conference, allowing only 2.42 earned runs per game. Hannah Hudson is the ace for the Bobcats posting a 1.41 ERA, fanning 125 and has only allowed 19 walks.
The Bobcats come into this weekend's matchup with the best record in the conference, sporting a 26-11-1 overall record and a 16-4 conference mark.
