Cougars Continue Conference Competition Against New Mexico, Colorado State

After opening its conference season last weekend against UNLV and San Diego State, the BYU softball team heads back on the road for doubleheaders against Mountain West Conference opponents New Mexico and Colorado State. BYU will face the Lobos Friday at noon before taking on Colorado State at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Last Weekend

The Cougars won the inaugural Mountain West Conference game, 4-2, Friday against UNLV before dropping the second game to the Rebels that day. The Cougars then lost both games Saturday to San Diego State to finish the weekend at 1-3.

Injury Report

Third baseman Tracy Farley, out with a broken cheekbone and orbital lobe, has missed action for a month and a half and will be evaluated again next week for clearance to resume play. In her absence Megan Johnson has taken over at the hot corner.

BYU Probable Starters

•C -Cassie Martin - R/R, Fr. (.214, 3 hit, 1 run, 0 RBI)

•1B - Mindy Hanson - R/R, Jr. (.266, 17 hits, 6 runs, 11 RBI)

•2B - Jackie Ellis - R/R, Jr. (.266, 17 hits, 11 runs, 7 RBI)

•SS - Becca Erickson - R/R, Jr. (.312, 20 hits, 7 runs, 5 RBI)

•3B - Megan Johnson - R/R, Fr. (.107, 3 hits, 1 run, 1 RBI)

•RF - Brooke Cadiente - R/L, Fr. (.156, 10 hits, 8 runs, 10 RBI)

•CF - Liz Smith - L/R, So. (.310, 22 hits, 10 runs, 3 RBI)

•LF - Lindsay Hodgen - R/R, Jr. (.264, 19 hits, 13 runs, 3 RBI)

Roster Notes

Catcher Cassie Martin has seen action either behind the plate or as a designated hitter since her return from ankle surgery two weeks ago, but after being struck in the foot by a pitch during practice Wednesday is questionable for this weekend. In the event that she is unable to play, Angie Christiansen will take over in her place.

Emily Fernley, the lone holdover from last year's BYU club team, will likely start a game in right field for Brooke Cadiente.

Pitching Notes

Junior Maryon Dewitt will get the call in the first games of this weekend's doubleheaders. Dewitt picked up the Cougars' lone win last weekend with her complete game over UNLV. In that game, Dewitt recorded a season-high and conference-best 12 strikeouts to take over the team lead with 53. Her record stands at 5-5 with a 3.43 ERA. Meghann Pricer will pitch the other games. Though in the midst of a personal five-game losing streak, Pricer still holds the best ERA on the team with 2.87, also among the league's best. Pricer's record is 4-8 on the season. Lindsay Jones will be available for relief as needed.

BYU Team Leaders

With a conference-best .417 batting average last weekend, shortstop Becca Erickson improved her batting average to .312 for the year and jump to the top of the team's leader list. Erickson currently leads the team in five offensive categories (batting average, doubles, walks, total bases, and on-base percentage). Fellow outfielder Liz Smith leads the team in hits (22). Fellow outfielder Lindsay Hodgen remains the Cougar leader in runs scored (13) and stolen bases (14), while first baseman Mindy Hanson remains the RBI leader with 11.

Cougars on the Basepaths

BYU is second in the conference in stolen bases, with 33 on the year. The Cougars have safely stolen at least one base in 18 of 23 games this

season. Outfielder Lindsay Hodgen leads the team with 14 stolen bases.

Scouting New Mexico

Picked to finish second in the Mountain West Conference preseason coaches' poll, the Lobos bring a six-game win streak into Friday's doubleheader. They are currently second in the conference with a 24-11, 2-0 MWC record following a sweep of Colorado State last weekend. New Mexico is led by senior pitcher Danielle Cassara, who has posted a 15-2 record with a 1.81 ERA from the mound as well as compile a .333 batting average.

New Meico Probable Starters

•C -Tiffani Chambers - (.268, 11 hits, 5 runs, 5 RBI)

•1B - Kathy Moore - (.305, 29 hits, 17 runs, 30 RBI)

•2B - Brooke Chaffee - (.272, 28 hits, 13 runs, 13 RBI)

•SS - Marianna Fenelli - (.250, 26 hits, 21 runs, 13 RBI)

•3B - Rachael Wennekamp - (.228, 13 hits, 9 runs, 7 RBI)

•RF - Krissy Keene - (.349, 30 hits, 13 runs, 12 RBI)

•CF - Lainie Horne - (.271, 16 hits, 9 runs, 11 RBI)

•LF - Kelli Glass - (.298, 34 hits, 23 runs, 5 RBI)

Scouting Colorado State

The Rams played New Mexico last weekend in a doubleheader and dropped both games by a 7-2 margin to extend their current losing streak to five. Colorado State is just behind BYU in the most recent Mountain West Conference standings with a 8-19, 0-2 MWC record. The Rams are led by junior shortstop Holly Schmillen who has racked up a team-best .430 batting average this season.

Colorado State Probable Starters

•C - Alyson Carter - (.284, 35 hits, 25 runs, 24 RBI)

•1B - Angie Kitchen - (.171, 6 hits, 6 runs, 2 RBI)

•2B - Amanda Kocis - (.161, 10 hits, 11 runs, 2 RBI)

•SS - Holly Schmillen - (.430, 34 hits, 25 runs, 24 RBI)

•3B - Brittania Erickson - (.135, 7 hits, 1 run, 4 RBI)

•RF - Katie Koch - (.178, 8 hits, 6 runs, 0 RBI)

•CF - Sara Hyzer- (.265, 22 hits, 7 runs, 8 RBI)

•LF - Brooke Boyer - (.130, 6 hits, 4 runs, 3 RBI)