Softball Set for 8-State Classic

Softball | 2/11/2016 4:59:00 PM

DURANT, Okla. – Southeastern will hit the road for the first time this season when it travels to Bentonville, Ark., for the 2016 8-State Classic Feb. 12-14.
 
The Savage Storm opens play at 11 a.m. on Feb. 12 when it faces Wayne State and will finish off Monday with a 3 p.m. matchup with Missouri-St. Louis.
 
Saturday SE will take on Central Missouri at 11 a.m. and finish the day again at 3 p.m., this time against Minnesota State-Mankato.
 
Southeastern will close out the trip with an 11 a.m. game against Fort Hays State on Feb. 14 followed by a 1 p.m. matchup with Missouri Western State.
 
The Storm enters the weekend with a 2-4 record which includes a win over upcoming opponent UCM.
 
Jessica Simmons paces the offense with a .500 average that includes 10 hits with a pair of doubles, a triple and four RBI with five runs scored.  She has reached base safely in 54.5 percent of her plate appearances and is slugging .700 in the leadoff spot.
 
Jordyn James is hitting .400 on the year with a homer and three RBI, while Courtney Riddle and Mykaela Wallace have each driven in four runs, while Wallace has a pair of homers.
 
Emily Cudd leads the pitching staff with a 3.50 ERA and a 1-1 record along with a save in four appearances, while striking out eight and holding opponents to a .267 batting average.
 
Wayne State will be playing its first games of the season this weekend and is coming off a 34-21 season a year ago with an 18-12 mark in the Northern Sun.
 
UMSL comes to Bentonville with a 6-0 record on the season and a No. 7 national ranking in the NFCA preseason poll.
 
The Tritons are led on offense by Sara Kern who is hitting .500 with three homers and 10 RBI, while Hannah Perryman has a 4-0 record with a save in five appearances in the circle.
 
The Jennies are 2-4 on the year, with the Storm handing them one of those losses in a 6-4 come-from-behind victory in the opening weekend at the Southeastern Regional Invitational.
 
Hailey Crabtree leads the way on offense hitting .308 with a double, a triple and three RBI, while Jordan Johnson has a 1-1 record and a 2.68 ERA in five appearances.
 
MSU opens its season on the weekend and is coming off a 38-23 2015 season with a 20-10 record in the NSIC.
 
FHSU is also entering its first weekend of action after posting a 26-27 record in 2015 with a 14-12 mark in MIAA play.
 
MWSU enters the weekend with the No. 16 national ranking but a 2-2 record on the season.
 
The Griffons are led by Taylor Hamilton on offense with a .455 average and a homer, while Shelbie Atwell has a home run and seven RBI.
 
Shyanne Saladino leads the team in the circle with a 0.45 ERA and a 1-1 record with 15 K's.
 
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