Weekly Release
This Week
The University of Nebraska at Omaha softball team opens the 2009 season in Durant, Okla., for the Southeastern Oklahoma State Tournament. The Mavericks will take on Angelo State, Southwestern Oklahoma State, Abilene Christian, Saint Edward's, Saint Mary's (Texas) and Southeastern Oklahoma State in that order. The first pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday.
The Records
Last season, the Mavericks posted a record of 44-13 overall and 9-2 in their final season in the North Central Conference. The Mavs won the final NCC championship and made their 19th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament. The Mavericks return 11 letterwinners from last season's squad as well as four starters.
The Coaches
#Jeanne Scarpello# is in her tenth season as the UNO head coach. She enters the 2009 season just three wins shy of reaching 400 wins for her career. She is 397-122-1 all-time as a college head coach including four conference titles, nine straight trips to the NCAA Division II tournament, and a national championship in 2001.
The Series
This weekend the Mavs will face Angelo State, Abilene Christian and Southeastern Oklahoma State all for the first time in school history. UNO will also see some familiar foes as it tries to maintain an undefeated record against Saint Edward's in the third meeting between the two and against Southwestern Oklahoma State who the Mavs meet for the second time. The Mavs will also have a chance to defeat Saint Mary's for the first time ever in the second matchup between the schools.
Pre-Season Poll
The Mavericks were picked to finish first in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association according to a pre-season poll of the league's coaches. UNO received 94 points and four first place votes in the voting, tying Emporia State which also received 94 points and had five first place votes.
Coming Up
The Mavericks will be in Pittsburg, Kan., next weekend for a set of five games at the Missouri Southern/Pittsburg State tournament. The Mavericks will play Oklahoma Panhandle State on Feb. 27 at 3 p.m. On Feb. 28 the Mavs will face Washburn at 9 a.m. and Drury at 1 p.m. The Mavericks will finish the weekend facing Lincoln and Rockhurst with those games starting at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. respectively.
