SFA To Host Central Arkansas
3/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 30, 2007
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Battin' for Burney: When the Stephen F. Austin softball team takes on Southland Conference foe Central Arkansas this weekend, the Ladyjacks will be battling more than just the Sugar Bears. SFA has designated this weekend as "Goin' to Bat for Burney," an event that will feature numerous charitable activities geared toward raising money and awareness for the fight against Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Ladyjack Krystil Burney is taking the year off from softball while recovering from a bout with the disease. For more information on "Goin' to Bat for Burney" promotions, download the flyer in the side bar of the Softball home page at www.sfajacks.com. Inside the chalked lines, the Ladyjacks will be looking to rebound following two straight losses. SFA (12-21, 5-4) is coming off a tough 4-3 loss against Centenary on Wednesday. Last weekend, the Ladyjacks dropped two of three in an SLC series at Southeastern Louisiana.
Last Time Out: The Ladyjacks led Centenary, 1-0, through five innings before a sixth-inning error broke up starter Ashley Wilburn's shutout and allowed four unearned runs to score. SFA went on to drop a 4-3 decision to the Ladies. Freshman Briana Bishop hit her fifth home run of the season to spark a seventh-inning rally, and the Ladyjacks added a run on a Centenary balk to make it a one-run game. But Kari Hugie's pinch-hit line drive found the glove of the hard-charging Centenary right fielder to end the rally and the game. SFA out-hit the Ladies, 8-6, but couldn't overcome that sixth-inning miscue. Wilburn (5-11) gave up six hits and three walks with three strikeouts.
The Sugar Bears: Central Arkansas brings an 8-25 overall record to this weekend's series. The Sugar Bears are 0-12 so far in Southland Conference play. The Sugar Bears come into the weekend on a 12-game losing streak and fresh off a 7-3 loss at Oklahoma on Wednesday. UCA's last win came on March 6, when the Sugar Bears swept Jackson State in a non-conference doubleheader. Those two wins are the only road victories this season for UCA. As a team, the Sugar Bears bat .217 and have posted a 5.54 ERA. Brittany Beardon is UCA's top hitter. She currently holds a .272 average. Tiffany Swanson (2-7) leads the Sugar Bear pitching rotation with a 4.45 ERA.
The Coaches: SFA is coached by Jenifer Wells. Wells is in her second season at SFA, where she holds a 29-49 (.372) record. In her five-year collegiate coaching career, Wells is 165-157 (.512). Central Arkansas is coached by Steve Kissel. Kissel is 20-59 (.253) in two seasons at UCA. For his career, Kissel's teams are 474-479 (.497).
• For complete notes, click the "Series Notes" link in the side bar of the Softball home page.
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