The Tale Of The Tape

When the Pacific and Linfield softball teams take to Sherman/Larkins Stadium on Saturday, fans will be treated to a match-up between two of the top softball programs in the nation.

Linfield enters the week ranked No. 1 in the NFCA Division III Top-25 Poll and have amassed a very impressive 29-2 record. They enter the week undefeated in conference play at 20-0. Last year, the Wildcats took only three conference losses en route to their fifth straight NWC crown (one of those losses was to the Boxers).

Pacific, meanwhile, has rebounded well after a tough start to the year and enters the weekend series with a 23-9 record. Pacific has won their last five contests after losing three of four to Pacific Lutheran, all three losses coming in heartbreakers.

Perhaps most impressive in this weekend's match-up, though, is the caliber of talent on the two teams that ranks among the best in the nation at the Division III level. Compare these numbers from the Apr. 12 NCAA Division III statistics report...

BATTING AVERAGE: Linfield ranks eighth (.383). Pacific ranks 18th (.365).
FIELDING PERCENTAGE: Linfield ranks 15th (.970). Pacific ranks 58th (.962).
SCORING: Pacific ranks 14th (7.9 runs per game). Linfield ranks 25th (7.24 runs per game).
HOME RUNS PER GAME: Pacific ranks fifth (1.13). Linfield ranks ninth (0.94).
SLUGGING PERCENTAGE: Linfield ranks sixth (.587). Pacific ranks 11th (.565).

The individual match-ups at the plate should provide an offensively charged series. Check out these numbers...

PACIFIC

• Chelsey Chamberlain ranks 18th nationally in runs batted in per game (1.27), 21st in home runs per game (0.30), 28th in slugging percentage (.835), 65th in runs per game (1.10) anf 83rd in batting average (.451).
• Kristen Croxford ranks 49th in batting average (.469).
• Ashley Billingsley ranks 46th in home runs per game (0.25) while Carrier Maerz ranks 68th (0.20).
• Billinsgley also ranks 66th in slugging percentage (.757) while Stephanie Vanoudenhaegen ranks 74th in runs per game (1.06).

LINFIELD

• Emilee Lepp ranks 23rd in slugging percentage (.838), 29th in batting average (.485), 34th in runs batted in per game (1.13), 35th in doubles per game (0.42) and 35th in runs per game (1.19).
• Emily Kegabine ranks 21st in slugging percentage (.845), 30th in batting average (.485) and 32nd in home runs per game (0.28).
• Staci Doucette ranks 25th in home runs per game (0.29), 29th in slugging percentage (.832), 42nd in toughest to strikeout and 54th in batting average (.463).

Then there is the pitching, which could be the key that swings the series. Linfield ranks 27th in earned run average at 1.48. Brittney Miller has put together a very impressive season, compiling a 0.53 ERA in 53 innings. During that time, she has allowed just four earned runs. Despite the impressive pitching numbers, no Linfield hurlers are ranked nationally.

Pacific has struggled a big in the cicrle, compiling a 3.62 ERA. The Boxers, however, have received strong performances once again from Miranda McNealy. The junior ranks 25th nationally in strikeouts per seven innings (8.3), 41st in victories (11) and 73rd in hits allowed per seven innings (6.48).

If you can't make it to the series, we will Webcast all four contests on the Boxer Sports Network. First pitch for the doubleheaders is noon on Saturday and Sunday.