WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern opens its softball season at home this week, welcoming Graceland to Broadway Sports Complex for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m., with the second game scheduled for 3 p.m.
The twin bill marks the season opener for the Moundbuilders, who return to the field after finishing 9-29 overall last season. Southwestern hit .257 as a team with a .307 on-base percentage and .310 slugging percentage across 36 games while scoring 100 runs.
Among the key returners are senior catcher Tiara Henry, senior infielder Jolie Boyd, senior infielder Taylor Mesna, senior outfielder Lainey Hardman, sophomore outfielder Mackenzie Reinert and junior pitcher Faith Campbell.
Henry paced the lineup last season with a .316 batting average, collecting 31 hits, including five doubles and a home run, while driving in a team-best 16 RBIs. Boyd appeared in 31 games and hit .277 with 23 hits in the infield. Mesna added experience to the lineup, batting .247 with 22 hits and eight RBIs.
Hardman provides veteran presence in the outfield after appearing in 35 games last season, hitting .284 with 25 hits, including four doubles, two triples and a home run, while driving in 11 runs. Reinert started 34 games in the outfield, finishing with 21 hits and six stolen bases.
In the circle, Campbell returns after logging a team-high 83.1 innings last season, posting a 6.47 ERA with 39 strikeouts across 20 appearances and 19 starts. As a staff, Southwestern recorded an 8.60 ERA over 208.1 innings.
Graceland enters the matchup already four games into its season, carrying an 0-4 record. The Yellowjackets are hitting .179 as a team through those contests while posting a 3.23 ERA in the circle.
Alyssa Good has led Graceland at the plate with a .667 batting average in limited at-bats, and Karlee Crouse is hitting .364 through four games.
The opener provides Southwestern an early opportunity to establish momentum in front of its home crowd. First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Broadway Sports Complex, with Game 2 to follow at 3 p.m.
