OMAHA, Neb. - Omaha softball travels to Fayetteville, Ark., to take part in the Wooo Pig Classic at Bogle Park Feb. 28-March 2.
The Mavericks start tournament play against the host school and No. 12/14 Arkansas on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. before squaring off against Northwestern State at 7 p.m.
Day two of the Wooo Pig Classic has Omaha starting the day against Boston University at 12:15 p.m. and concluding play against the Razorbacks at 4:45 p.m.
The weekend finale for the Mavericks playing Nevada at 11 a.m.
Leading Off
• Omaha started the 2019 season at the Lone Star Collegiate Classic in Conroe, Texas, finishing with a 0-5 record, and secured its only win of the season at the Red & Black Showcase.
• Inclement weather in Arkansas prohibited Omaha's trip to the Michelle Short Memorial Classic last weekend.
• The Mavericks defeated the Buffalo Bulls 5-2 for their first win of the season on Feb. 16. The victory also was the first win at UNO for head coach
Amanda Eberhart.
• Omaha is 0-4 overall against Arkansas (0-2) and Nevada (0-2), and face Boston University and Northwestern State for the first time.
• Omaha finished the 2018 season 21-30 overall and 5-9 in the Summit League.
•
Amanda Eberhart enters her first season at the helm of the Omaha softball program.
• The Mavericks were picked fifth in the Preseason Summit League Coaches Poll.
• Senior
Natalie Mostek and sophomore
Sydney Hampton were recognized as players to watch in the Summit League.
• This season's roster is comprised of 12 returning letterwinners, including seven upperclassmen, and 10 newcomers.
Scouting the Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas finished its first home tournament of the season with a 4-2 mark. The Razorbacks took two games from SIU-E and defeated SEMO and IUPUI once. The Hogs dropped games to SEMO and Drake.
Arkansas is 12-3 on the season and ranked in all three national polls.
Katie Warrick leads Arkansas with a .409 average, while Danielle Gibson leads the team with five home runs and 21 RBI. Pitcher Autumn Storms is 5-0 with one save and 55 strikeouts through 49.2 innings with a 0.99 ERA. Mary Haff is 7-3 with a 1.72 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 10 appearances.
Scouting the Boston Terriers
Boston went 4-0 at the Upstate Classic last weekend. The Terriers won two games against UCONN (7-3, 9-3) and Bowling Green (9-3, 4-0).
BU has won five-straight games and owns a 6-3 record this season.
Three Terrier players swept the Patriot League's Player of the Week honors last week. Ali DuBois collected her third straight Pitcher of the Week award dating back to the end of last season, while both senior Emily Morrow and freshman Aliyah Huerta-Leipner picked up player and rookie of the week honors, respectively.
Scouting the Nevada Wolfpack
Nevada went 3-1 at the Libby Matson Classic in Stockton, Calif., last weekend. The Wolfpack swept a pair from Cal Baptist (6-2, 10-4) before taking a 10-0 decision from Pacific and lost a 5-1 decision to Oregon State.
Nevada has won three-straight games and owns a 6-5 mark.
Sierra Mello leads the Wolfpack at the plate with a .389 average. Ashley Salausa and Kenzi Goins each have a team-leading eight RBI. Julia Jensen leads the team with a 3-1 record with a 2.80 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 30.0 innings.
Scouting the Northwestern State Lady Devils
Northwestern State went 4-0 at the Lady Demon Classic last weekend. The Lady Demons topped Arkansas – Pine Bluff (4-0, 10-1) and Houston Baptist (8-0, 9-3).
Northwestern State is on a six-game winning streak and 8-6 on the season.
Alexis Perry earned Southland Hitter of the Week honors last week after a .500 weekend at the plate with eight RBI. For the season, Perry is hitting .325 with two home runs and 10 RBI. Bronte Rhoden is 4-0 with a 2.47 ERA with nine strikeouts in 28.1 innings of work.
Up Next
After the Woo Pig Classic, Omaha heads to the West Coast for the Highlander Classic in Riverside, Calif. The Mavericks are slated to play Houston, San Diego and UC Riverside.
