UMAC Game of the Week: Northland vs. Crown - Softball
UMAC Game of the Week Archives
ST. PAUL -- The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Game of the Week is a feature that takes place each week throughout the conference portion of the season with one contest being selected and highlighted as the UMAC Game of the Week.
This week’s UMAC Game of the Week will take place on Friday, April 3 as the Northland College and Crown College softball teams meet at the West St. Paul Dome in conference action. Heading into the UMAC Crossover Event on Thursday and Friday both teams own 0-1 conference records.
Just five games separated third from seventh place in the final UMAC softball standings in 2014, a level of parity that hadn’t been seen in the conference for some time. Both Northland and Crown were in that group and each team has their sights set on a UMAC playoff spot in 2015. The Jills claimed the fourth and final playoff spot a year ago and had three very competitive games against the Storm. Crown was able to claim a 13-8 victory at home and lost two one run games in the series with Northland.
About the Storm
Crown returns seven players that saw regular time a year ago and have a lineup this year that features major contributions from six newcomers, including four freshmen. The Storm struggled with a very difficult schedule over spring break, but claimed a non-conference victory against UMAC foe Minnesota Morris earlier this week and look poised to break out as the conference schedule gets underway.
Crown’s strength has been in their bats, with freshmen Sofia Palacios, Marissa Becerra and Cassidy Valenzuela leading the way. The three first year players lead the team in hits, while Valenzuela and Palacios, who is tied for the UMAC lead with three home runs, have combined for 19 RBI in 18 games.
None of three matchups a year ago were low-scoring, so look for fireworks this Friday when two young teams take to the field on Friday morning in the West St. Paul Dome.
About the LumberJills
Northland has their eyes set on the upcoming season with hopes to repeat and improve on their 2014 season. Northland reached the finals of the UMAC championship in 2014 and fell to CSS. They have started the 2015 season with a trip to Florida where newcomers and veteran players began to learn each other's style. The Jills are returning just six of ten starters and have added 5 newcomers to the roster. Kaitlyn Whittun has made a mark on the Jills offense this season batting .400 and recording 4 stolen bases.
The contribution of the newcomers has been key both at the plate and in the field. Alecea Piper shows her athleticism getting around the bases and leads the league in stolen bases. Transfer Allison Dunn brings collegiate experience and will be looking to make a name in the conference. The series between Crown and Northland in 2014 was 2-1 in favor of the Jills, however the matchups were both very close and will most likely remain the same in this 2015 series.
Game Notes
- Northland’s Kaitlyn Witthun comes into the game hitting .400 6th in the UMAC
- Crown’s Marissa Becerra’s 17 hits are tied for 2
nd in the UMAC
- Crystal Diaz has 10 RBIs on the season for the Jills and is tied for 5th in the UMAC
- Crown’s Sofia Palacios is tied for first in the UMAC in home runs (3) and tied for 5th in RBIs (10)
- Alecea Piper leads the UMAC in stolen bases with 10 on the season for Northland
- Crown’s Cassidy Valenzuela is tied for 4
th in the UMAC in doubles (4) and tied for eighth in RBIs (9)
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Crown Recap |
Northland Recap |
Final Score: Crown 11, Northland 10