Winfield, Kan. — Southwestern will look to build momentum this week as the Moundbuilders prepare to host Friends in a conference doubleheader at Broadway Sports Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m., with game two set for 5 p.m.
The Moundbuilders enter play with an 8-28 overall record and a 2-18 mark in conference action. Despite the record, Southwestern has shown flashes offensively, hitting .255 as a team while scoring 96 runs on 212 hits this season.
Leading the charge at the plate has been Taylor Mesna, who is batting .392 with 38 hits and 17 runs scored, while Lainey Hardman (.342) and Tiara Henry (.281) have provided additional consistency in the lineup. The trio has anchored a lineup that continues to search for timely production in key moments.
In the circle, Southwestern has leaned heavily on Faith Campbell and Emma Willesden. Campbell has recorded 64 strikeouts in 88.1 innings of work, while Willesden has logged more than 76 innings this season. The Moundbuilders will look for stronger outings from the pitching staff as they aim to slow down a high-powered Friends offense.
Friends enters the matchup with a 22-17 overall record and a 12-8 conference mark, including an impressive 13-2 record at home. Offensively, Friends has been one of the more productive teams in the league, hitting .292 as a team with 206 runs scored and 21 home runs.
Tamara Lozoya leads the Falcons with a .426 batting average, while Cambell Riordan (.377, 36 RBIs) and Izzy Jones (.310) provide additional depth in a lineup capable of generating runs in bunches. In the circle, Friends carries a 3.55 team ERA, led by Jenna Ormiston, who has totaled 11 wins in over 113 innings pitched.
For Southwestern, the key will be limiting big innings defensively and capitalizing on scoring opportunities early. The Moundbuilders have seen success in the middle innings this season, particularly in the fifth, and will look to turn that into more consistent production throughout the game.
Southwestern aims to compete against one of the conference's top teams and continue building toward the final stretch of the season.
