OMAHA, Neb. - Omaha softball opens the 2018 season at the Bulldog Kickoff Classic in Starkville, Miss. The Mavericks will play a total of five games, beginning with a contest against Missouri State on Friday morning.
Leading Off
• The 2018 Omaha softball campaign marks the 49th season overall and second under head coach
DJ Sanchez. The Mavericks have racked up 1,492 wins since UNO's inaugural season in 1969 (records are incomplete from 1969 through 1973).
• The Mavericks have a combined series record of 5-3 against the teams in the Bulldog Kickoff Classic.
• UNO's will have a balanced roster in 2018, featuring 10 upperclassmen along with nine underclassmen.
• In the 2018 Summit League Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Mavericks were picked to finish fifth by the league's head coaches.
• Omaha returns six letterwinners in 2018, including four position players with starting experience and one starting pitcher.
• UNO's roster features 13 newcomers, including two seniors, five juniors and six freshmen.
• Omaha plays 28-straight road games before its home-opener against Nebraska on March 13.
• UNO hosts eight home games at Westside Field at Westbrook this season.
• During the fall 2017 semester, Omaha reported a 3.30 team grade point average (GPA); five Mavericks earned a spot on the Dean's List, including three student-athletes on the Chancellor's List.
• The Mavericks finished the 2017 season with a record of 15-30 (6-8 Summit League) and finished fifth in the league standings.
Scouting the Missouri State Bears
The Bears finished the 2017 season with a 23-26 overall record and a 10-16 mark in Missouri Valley play. MSU returns 12 letterwinners, including six starters and three pitchers.
Erika Velasquez Zimmer earned NFCA All-Region honors last season while batting .349 with 25 runs and 71 total bases. Madison Jones was second on the team in runs scored (20). In the circle, Kaitlin Beason and Holly Kelley combined for a 22-24 record with two saves in 281.2 innings.
Head coach Holly Hesse is in her 30th season with the Bears with a career mark of 749-747-2.
History against Missouri State
Omaha and Missouri State have split the previous six meetings. The programs last squared off on March 11-12, 2016 in Lawrence, Kan., with the Mavericks winning both games. UNO won the opener 2-0 on March 11 before topping MSU 15-4 in five innings on March 12.
Scouting the Mississippi State Bulldogs
The Bulldogs finished the 2017 season with a 36-22 overall record and a 10-14 mark in SEC action. MSU returns 16 letterwinners including six starters and three pitchers.
Shortstop Reggie Harrison batted .333 with 15 doubles and 22 RBI last season. Outfielder Bevia Robinson had a .326 average with 30 stolen bases. In the circle, Cassady Knudsen and Holly Ward combined for a 16-13 record with four shutouts last season in 188 innings.
Head coach Vann Stuedeman in her sixth season with the Bulldogs with a career mark of 203-143.
History against Mississippi State
Omaha and Mississippi State have met only once previously. The Mavericks defeated the Bulldogs 8-0 in 1982 at the American Legion Collegiate Tournament.
Scouting the Mississippi Valley State Devils
The Devils finished the 2017 season with a 13-33 overall record and an 8-10 mark in SWAC play.
Last season, Dejanae Gage hit .319 with 36 hits, 22 runs scored and 17 RBI, flashing as a bonafide big bat with six doubles, two triples and three home runs. Lexany Terrones batted .298 with 39 hits, 17 runs scored and 17 RBI. Pitchers Monica Rivera and Chandler Ellis return to the circle for MVSU. The duo combined for 29 appearances with 16 starts.
Head coach Lee Smith in his 16th season at Mississippi Valley State with a career mark of 382-435.
History against Mississippi Valley State
Omaha and Mississippi Valley State have met only once previously. The Mavericks defeated the Devilettes 2-0 on March 10, 2013, at the Tennessee State Tournament.
Follow the Games
All five of Omaha's games in Starkville will have live stats. Links to the stats are available on OMavs.com. The Mavericks' contest on Friday evening against Mississippi State will be broadcast on the SEC Network + and ESPN3. Scoring updates and infographics will be provided via Twitter at @OmahaSB.
On Deck
Omaha continues its 28-game season-opening road swing with a single game against Southern University on Wednesday, Feb. 14. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. in Baton Rouge, La. The Mavericks then head to Hammond, La., to take part in the Lion Classic II Feb. 16-18.
