Softball 3/16/2021 8:00:00 AM

OUAZ Gets Six Games in Oklahoma Before Conference Play

OUAZ SPIRIT (7-8) IN OKLAHOMA
Tues., March 16	11:00 a.m. (Arizona Time) (DH) • at Mid-America Christian • Jack Allen Field - Oklahoma City, Okla.
Wed., March 17	11:00 a.m. (Arizona Time) • vs. Hastings • T.G. Green Park - Langston, Okla. 3:00 p.m. (Arizona Time) • at Langston • T.G. Green Park - Langston, Okla.
Thurs., March 18	9:00 a.m. (Arizona Time) (DH) • at (2)University of Science and Arts • Bill Smith Ballpark - Chickasha, Okla.
Video Stream	Tuesday - sacsportsnetwork.com/MACUEvangels/ Thursday - portal.stretchinternet.com/usao/
Live Stats	Tuesday - macuathletics.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary Wednesday - dakstats.com/WebSync/ Thursday - https://www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Team/TeamSchedule

The OUAZ softball team has pulled within one game of .500 after an 0-7 start, and have a chance to right its record in the final week before conference play. A trip to Oklahoma marks the third time the Spirit have traveled outside of Arizona in seven weeks.

This is the program's first trip to the Sooner State, and it will be a daunting task, playing six games in three days. The Spirit have never faced any of its opponents for the week, and the best opportunity to make a statement comes on Thursday in a doubleheader against #2 University of Science and Arts. OUAZ has never defeated a top five team, though did defeat three ranked teams last season.

Andraya Rhinehart has used the time away from Surprise to find her game, as she is now hitting an even .400 on the season. Rhinehart has 19 hits on the season, with 12 of them coming in the last nine games in Texas.

Katelyn Chambers is heating up, as she has at least one hit in six of the last seven games, and ten of her 11 hits have come in that stretch. While not getting many RBI opportunities, Chambers has scored all eight of her runs in the long road stretch, coming around to touch home in six of the last seven contests.

The Spirit have three of the top five RBI hitters in the conference, as the bats have come to life during the impressive eight-game stretch. In the GSAC, Janessa Rivera ranks second (13), Briana Tucker ranks third (12) and Rhinehart ranks fifth (11) in the RBI category.

Speed has flashed throughout the lineup as well, especially when the ball is put in play. OUAZ is tied for the conference lead, and 17^th nationally, with Vanguard, hitting six doubles so far this season. Five different players have had three-base hits, with Rivera the only person hitting two.

Alexandra McCutcheon has be excellent in keeping runners from coming home, especially in late-game situations. McCutcheon has allowed one earned run or less in her last nine appearances, and has not allowed any run in four of her last five trips to the circle.

Phoebe Popplewell is developing into an excellent starter, keeping runs off the board and batters off the base paths. In her last four starts, she has allowed two earned runs or less, and has allowed three or less hits in the three of those four starts.

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Players Mentioned

#14 Katelyn Chambers: INF; 5' 4"; Sophomore; L/R

#18 Alexandra McCutcheon: RHP; 5' 9"; Junior; R/R

#25 Phoebe Popplewell: RHP; 5' 2"; Sophomore; R/R

#1 Andraya Rhinehart: INF; 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R

#21 Briana Tucker: C; 5' 3"; Junior; R/R

#00 Janessa Rivera: INF; 5' 8"; Senior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#14 Katelyn Chambers
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; L/R
: INF

#18 Alexandra McCutcheon
: 5' 9"; Junior; R/R
: RHP

#25 Phoebe Popplewell
: 5' 2"; Sophomore; R/R
: RHP

#1 Andraya Rhinehart
: 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R
: INF

#21 Briana Tucker
: 5' 3"; Junior; R/R
: C

#00 Janessa Rivera
: 5' 8"; Senior; R/R
: INF