Softball team sets sights on strong regular season finish, Region XVI Tournament
By: CHRISTIAN HARGAS
Sports Editor
The STLCC Lady Archers began the 2015-16 softball regular season by losing three of their first four games, including a double-header loss on the road against Kaskaskia College.
Following a 1-3 start to the campaign, the Lady Archers won seven of eight games during the 2015-16 Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic hosted in Myrtle Beach, SC. They scored 53 total runs [6.6 per game] and had 87 total hits averaging a .689 batting average during the eight games in South Carolina.
Returning from the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic, the Lady Archers lose two straight games to conference opponent East Central College on Monday, Mar. 21, including a 25-5 loss in game two of the double-header.
They would finish the month of March with a seven game losing streak, losing nine of their last 10 games overall. During 1-9 stretch, the Lady Archers averaged 1.7 runs per game [39 total runs scored] and had 33 total defensive errors.
With a record of 9-13 through March, the Lady Archers won 14 of their last 20 games played during the month of April, including a six game home winning streak to start the month.
On Friday, Apr. 8, and Saturday, Apr. 9, STLCC defeated Cottey College four consecutive times, outscoring them 70-12 during that span [STLCC scored 44 of the 70 total runs in the second double-header].
Since then, the Lady Archers are 2-2 following a double-header sweep of East Central College before losing two games to Lindenwood University-Belleville.
Overall, the Lady Archers’ record stands at 23-19 on the season [.548 winning percentage]. They are 6-8 against conference opponents, 8-8 at home, 8-10 on the road, and 7-1 on neutral fields.
Offensively, the Lady Archers are batting .330 as a team with 24 collective home runs [fourth in the conference] and 301 total runs scored through 42 games.
They have a .400 on-base percentage and a .464 slugging percentage collectively.
Individually, sophomore infielder Kelsey Brodbeck leads the team with 76 total hits, 44 stolen bases [Lady Archers have 68 stolen bases as a team], and batting with a .510 average at the plate.
Sophomore outfielder/first baseman Abbey Holtkamp leads the team with 14 doubles, 10 home runs and 45 runs batted in on the season.
Pitching, the Lady Archers amassed a 4.55 earned run average as a team [conference average is 5.60]. The pitching staff has recorded one shutout this season and has allowed a .346 opponent batting average against them.
Sophomore pitcher Tiffany Link led the team with 12 wins and 18 complete games on the season. Link pitched 130.0 total innings, had a 3.76 ERA, and led with 84 strikeouts.
Sophomore pitcher Kayla McMahon was second on the team with five complete games, and tied for second with eight wins on the season. McMahon’s 3.23 ERA over 56.1 innings pitched led the staff.
The Lady Archers have eight games remaining in the regular season, four at home and four on the road.
They finish the home portion of their schedule on Wednesday, Apr. 20, against Lewis and Clark Community College before playing the last four games on the road.
The Lady Archers close their road schedule against Missouri Baptist University-JV on Saturday, Apr. 23, and Lewis and Clark Community College on Wednesday, Apr. 27.
The 2015-16 softball Region XVI Tournament begins on Friday, Apr. 29.
