CONWAY – Having hosted numerous tournaments since taking over at the helm of the University of Central Arkansas softball program, Bears head coach David Kuhn is doing something a bit more special this year. The UCA softball program is proud to host the inaugural Michelle Short Memorial Collegiate Classic beginning 10 a.m., Sunday at Farris Field.
This year's tournament is a four-team field consisting of Central Arkansas, North Alabama, South Dakota State and Jackson State. There will be a combined seven games in the two-day span, all of which will take place at Farris Field.
MEET THE OPPONENTS
NORTH ALABAMA (6-2)
In its very first season as a member of the Division-I Atlantic Sun Conference, North Alabama has adjusted to the step up in competition very well. The Lions are 6-2 with some standout wins over both UAB and Samford.
Veronica Westfall is pacing UNA with a .429 BA, including 2 home runs and 11 RBIs through the Lions' first eight games. Megan Garst (2-1) has two early wins on the season and a team-leading 0.65 ERA.
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (6-4)
The Jackrabbits of South Dakota State spent the opening weekend in Jacksonville, Fla. before a five-game stint in Cedar Falls, Iowa. SDSU has defeated the likes of Saint Louis, Drake and Colgate in the early going of 2019.
Ali Herdliska has been a force at the plate for the Jackrabbits. She is batting .480 with four home runs and 13 RBIs through SDSU's first 10 games. Taylor Compton (2-3) has already tossed 33.1 innings for South Dakota State, having struck out 16 along the way.
JACKSON STATE (0-12)
This will be the second time this season that Central Arkansas has crossed paths with Jackson State at an early-season tournament. After falling to the Bears twice during the Black and Gold Invitational in Hattiesburg, Miss. to open the season, the Tigers have since struggled to find their game.
Kelsey Smith has been the leading bat for JSU through the first 12 games. She is hitting .241 with a team-leading seven RBIs. In the circle, Kayla Owens has 13 strikeouts over 21.1 innings pitched.
BEAR TO WATCH
Placentia, Calif. native Lauren Brooks has quietly put together a strong start to her junior season. Brooks is hitting .333 with five doubles, two triples and a homer. She has driven in 11 runs this season splitting time behind the plate as the Bears' catcher and also as the designated player.
An underrated part of Brooks' approach is her ability to force opposing pitchers to make perfect pitches. She is tied for the team lead in walks with six and is famous for fouling off pitches until she gets one she likes. In a contest with Jackson State earlier in the season, Brooks had two at-bats extend over 10 pitches each before drawing a walk both times.
SCHEDULE
Sunday, Feb. 24
North Alabama vs. Jackson State 10 a.m.
Central Arkansas vs. North Alabama 12:15 p.m.
South Dakota State vs. Jackson State 2:30 p.m.
Central Arkansas vs. South Dakota State 4:45 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 25
North Alabama vs. South Dakota State 9 a.m.
South Dakota State vs. Jackson State 11 a.m.
Central Arkansas vs. Jackson State 1 p.m.
FOLLOW ALONG
In the Sunday contests that UCA will be competing in, the Bear Nation Network will be on hand to stream the games. Live stats will be available for all seven games. Both the live stream and live stats can be accessed by following the links at the top of the page. For in-game updates, follow UCA softball on Twitter @UCASoftball and @UCAScoreboard.
HOW TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE MICHELLE SHORT SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Michelle Short Memorial Classic is named in memory of 2004 UCA softball player Michelle Short who tragically passed away in a car accident while at Central Arkansas. Since her untimely passing, the Central Arkansas softball program, along with UCA Foundation, established the Michelle Short Memorial Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is awarded annually to the UCA softball player that best embodies the heart and spirt of Michelle and wears No. 13 in her honor.
Donations for the Michelle Short Scholarship fund will be accepted at Farris Field throughout the tournament. You can always donate by follow the link at the top of the page and choosing the "Michelle Short Scholarship" in the drop-down menu.
