Mayville, N.D. - The Mayville State University Softball team opens the 2021 season at the Presentation College Dome with four GPAC schools. On Friday, the Comets play University of Jamestown and Morningside College with the first pitch scheduled for 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. On Saturday, Mayville State plays at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm against College of Saint Mary's and Dakota Wesleyan.
Quick Hits on the Comets:
The Mayville State University softball team starts the 2021 season on Friday and Saturday at the Presentation College Dome.
The Comets finished the 2020 season with a 6-6 record, the season was stopped in Arizona last season due to COVID-19.
In the shortened season in 2020, the Comets had a .283 batting average, 92 hits, 60 runs, four home runs, 52 runs batted in, and a .379 on-base percentage.
In the field, MSU allowed a 3.80 Earned Run Average last season with 73.2 innings pitched, 103 hits, 40 earned runs, 54 strikeouts, an opponent batting average of .311, and a fielding percentage of .915.
Mayville State returns six seniors to this year's roster led by Tai Yamamoto hitting .364 last season in 12 games and Dayna Gutierrez hitting .357 last season.
In the circle, Shaye Kemball finished the season with a .369 earned run average in 36.0 innings. She also tallied 224 strikeouts and allowed 46 hits.
Also, Annika Seedborg tallied a 2.50 ERA with 47 hits, 13 earned runs, and 30 strikeouts in seven appearances.
The Comets were selected third in the North Star Athletic Association Preseason Coaches' Poll with 52 points and two first-place votes. Dickinson State was selected in first with 58 points and four first-place votes.
Matching up with the Jimmies:
The University of Jamestown enters the weekend matchup with a 4-2 overall record.
The Jimmies are averaging 6.2 runs per game, 9.5 hits per game, hitting .315 on the season, and recording a .355 on-base percentage.
Defensively, the Jimmies are allowing a .264 batting average, allowed 4.8 runs per game, and a .348 on-base percentage.
Sydney Prussia is averaging a .600 batting average with four runs, six hits, one double, and one triple.
Kat Miska is leading the pitching staff with a 0.54 earned run average over 13.0 innings, allowing six hits, one earned run and striking out 25 batters.
Matching up with the Mustangs:
Morningside has a 4-0 overall record and is currently ranked 20th in the NAIA National Poll.
Morningside College is averaging a .339 batting average, 6.2 runs per game, 9.2 hits per game, and averaging over one home run per game.
Defensively, the Mustangs are allowing 0.7 runs per game, four hits per game, and a .245 on-base percentage.
Ellie Cropley is leading the Mustangs with a .643 batting average with nine hits, five runs scored, five doubles, one home run, and four runs batted in.
Alex Nelson has allowed two runs in seven innings with seven hits, and seven strikeouts for Morningside.
Matching up with the Flames:
College of Saint Mary's is entering the 2020 season after a 4-9 record last season before COVID-19 shut down the season.
The Flames were selected ninth in the GPAC Softball Preseason coaches' Poll.
Matching up with the Tigers:
Dakota Wesleyan started the season last weekend and went 1-3, the Tigers were selected 10th out of 12 teams in the GPAC.
The Tigers played two NSAA members last weekend and defeated Presentation College and dropped a game to Valley City State.
DWU has a .273 batting average on the season, 30 hits on the season, 23 runs scored, one home run, and a .322 on-base percentage.
Defensively, the Tigers are allowing a .381 batting average, 43 hits, 22 runs scored, two home runs, and a .419 on-base percentage.
