OMAHA, Neb. - Coming off a 33-16 record from the 2014 season, the Mavericks start this season in Hammond, La. at the Tangi Tourism Lion Classic. The Mavericks open play on Friday against UT-Martin at 3:30 p.m. (CT) and continue play that evening against Nicholls State at 5:30 p.m. (CT). On Saturday, Omaha faces Southeastern Louisiana at 12:30 p.m. and Texas Arlington at 3 p.m. The Mavs finish the weekend playing Alcorn State on Sunday at 10 a.m. The games will all be played at the Chappapeela Park in Hammond, La.
Series Information
| Venue: |
Chappapella Park |
| ALL-TIME RECORD VS. UT- Martin: |
0-0 |
| ALL-TIME RECORD VS. Nicholls State: |
0-0 |
| ALL-TIME RECORD VS. Southeastern Louisiana: |
0-0 |
| ALL-TIME RECORD VS. Texas Arlington: |
0-1 (Last: 1977, UTA 2-1) |
| ALL-TIME RECORD VS. Alcorn State: |
0-0 |
A Look at the Skyhawks
UT-Martin ended the 2014 season with a 27-27-1 record and finished sixth in the Ohio Valley Conference with a 14-10 record. This season the Skyhawks have been picked to finish in fifth place in the preseason coaches' poll. Carly Gonzales was the team's lone All-OVC player a year ago and earned Freshman of the Year and All-Newcomer honors. Gonzales led the squad with a .328 batting average while tallying four doubles, swiping 11 bases and driving in 17 runs.
The pitching duo of Casey Vincent and Elizabeth Wiegand combined to pitch in 52 of the team's 55 games. Vincent led all starters with a 3.04 ERA, making 18 starts and tallying eight complete games in 101.1 innings of work. Wiegand led the team with an 11-8 record during her freshman campaign, tallying 150.1 innings of work and recording three shutouts. UTM is led by Head Coach Donley Canary who is in his 14th season with the Skyhawks.
Previewing Nicholls State
Nicholls state finished the 2014 season with a 19-34 overall record and were 9-16 (11th place) in the Southland Conference. This year, the Colonels have been picked to finish 11th in the 12 team Southland Conference. Nicholls State return pitchers Hannah Haydel and Jackie Johnson. The duo combined to go 16-30 last season in 282.2 innings. Outfielder Danielle Phillips, a third team All-Southland honoree, led the team with a .296 average with 21 RBI and 10 stolen bases. The Colonels head coach, Angel Santiago is entering his fourth season.
Lions at a Glimpse
Southeastern Louisiana posted a 19-19 overall record and finished 10th in the Southland Conference with a 10-17 record. This season the Lions have been tabbed to finish ninth by the conference sports information directors and 10th by the league's coaches. Southeastern returns three All-Southland Conference players in junior outfielder Katie Lacour, senior third baseman Megan Moore and junior designated player Amber Sather. Lacour led the Lions with a .397 average and 27 runs. Pitcher Spencer Adkinson led the way in pitching with a 3.63 ERA and a 6-9 record. The Lions are led by Pete Langlois who is in his 21st season.
Scouting Texas Arlington
Texas Arlington Mavericks finished the 2014 season with a 21-33 record and went 4-16 (8th place) in the Sun Belt. The Mavericks return 10 letter winners and their complete starting lineup offensively from last season. This season, UTA features 2 seniors in Nina Villanueva and Meagan Michele, both infielders. Villanueva was a First Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection last season and led the Mavs in batting average (.348) and homers (8). Michele hit .231 and had 5 homers. Sophomore Kacey Everett was selected to the second team All-SBC and started 51 of 52 games last season behind the plate. She was third on the team with a .246 batting average, third with 16 RBI and picked off five baserunners. The Mavericks' head coach is Kristie Fox who is in her third year at Texas Arlington.
Taking in Alcorn State
Alcorn State posted an 8-39 overall record and a 5-12 conference record. The Braves hit .249 as a team. Senior Alexandria Harris posted a team-high .352 average and also led in hits with 45 on the season. Jazmin Castillo will be the only returning pitcher who made 36 appearances. The Lady Braves are led by head coach, Josef Rankin.
On Deck
Following the Tangi Tourism Lion Classic, Omaha continues the season with a trip to Durham, N.C., for the North Carolina Central Tournament. The three-day tournament includes squads from Virginia, Canisius, La Salle, and the hosting Eagles.
After the trip to North Carolina, UNO visits Oxford, Miss., for the Red & Blue Classic Feb. 20-22 before heading to Orlando for the Diamond 9 Classic to close out the month.
