University of Missouri
San Jose State
@MizzouSoftball Opens 2018 Campaign at Kajikawa Classic
2/6/2018 10:06:00 AM | Softball
Tigers will play six games over four days in Tempe, Ariz.
| Mizzou Opens 2018 Campaign in Tempe, Ariz. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPPONENT | LOCATION | DAY | TIME (CT) | WATCH | STATS |
| San Jose State | Tempe, Ariz. | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 8:15 p.m. | Watch | Stats |
| UTEP | Tempe, Ariz. | Friday, Feb. 9 | 12:30 p.m. | Watch | Stats |
| CSUN | Tempe, Ariz. | Friday, Feb. 9 | 8:45 p.m. | Watch | Stats |
| #3 Oregon | Tempe, Ariz. | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 12:30 p.m. | Watch | N/A |
| #21 Oklahoma State | Tempe, Ariz. | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 6 p.m. | Watch | Stats |
| Oregon State | Tempe, Ariz. | Sunday, Feb. 11 | 10 a.m. | Watch | Stats |
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Softball begins its 2018 season this weekend at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. The Tigers will compete in six games over four days, beginning with a season-opening contest against San Jose State on Thursday, Feb. 8.
Highlighting Mizzou's trip to the Kajikawa Classic are matchups versus No. 3 Oregon and No. 21 Oklahoma State on Saturday, Feb. 10. The Ducks and Cowboys are two of 10 opponents ranked preseason Top-25 on this year's Tiger schedule.
Saturday's matchup against Oregon and Sunday's contest versus Oregon State will both air live on Pac-12 Network. Ann Schatz and Barb Jordan will be on the call for both games.
#ShowMe Mizzou Game Notes
Coach Fogue Set For Tiger Debut
- Mizzou Softball begins its 44th all-time season (1975-present) and sixth all-time campaign since joining the Southeastern Conference (2013-present).
- The Tigers are coming off their 11th consecutive trip to an NCAA Regional (2007-17) a season ago. The 2018 Mizzou campaign will mark the first at the helm for new interim head coach Gina Fogue. She takes over the Tigers' head duties following an 11-year tenure by former head coach Ehren Earleywine.
- Fogue spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach on the Mizzou staff. Under her guidance as the Tiger outfielders' position coach, Mizzou student-athletes claimed two All-American accolades, five NFCA Southeast All-Region awards and four All-SEC honors.
- Prior to her coaching career, Fogue enjoyed a productive run as a player for Mizzou (2006-10). She played a key role in the Tigers' 2009 Women's College World Series run, hitting .321 with 43 runs, 10 doubles, eight home runs and 32 RBI in her junior campaign.
Burnside, Nash and Sanchez Highlight Returning Veterans
- Fogue possesses a traditional Mizzou talent laden squad, consisting of proven veterans and exciting newcomers. Offensively, 2018 Preseason All-SEC honoree Regan Nash, Kolby Romaine, Amanda Sanchez, Braxton Burnside, Cayla Kessinger and Rylee Pierce highlight the returning Tigers.
- In the circle, Danielle Baumgartner and Madi Norman return for their junior campaigns.
- Nash has started 101 games in her first two years at Mizzou, earning 2017 Second-Team All-SEC and 2016 Freshman All-SEC accolades.
- After missing almost all of the 2017 campaign due to injury, Sanchez returns in 2018 as a redshirt junior after being granted a medical redshirt. The sweet swinging lefty is a career .346 hitter with 17 doubles, 23 home runs and 104 RBI.
- Burnside had a first-year campaign to remember last season, en route to 2017 Freshman All-SEC honors. The Top-25 finalist for the NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year walloped 10 doubles, 12 home runs and 52 RBI overall.
Top-10 Ranked Freshmen Class Look to Make Instant Impact
- In all, Coach Fogue welcomes 13 newcomers to the 2018 Tiger roster, including 11 freshmen and two transfers. The 2018 Mizzou freshmen class was nationally heralded, ranked as high as No. 9 in the country according to FloSoftball.com. The 11 signees also marked Mizzou's largest recruiting class in over a decade.
- First-year Tigers Kendyll Bailey, Brooke Wilmes, Trenity Edwards, Callie Martin and Hatti Moore are expected to make instant impacts on the diamond. In the circle, freshman Lauren Rice, along with transfers Eli Daniel and Nalani Scates, round out a deep and talented Mizzou pitching staff.
- An incredible seven Tiger freshmen were listed in FloSoftball's Class of 2017 "Top-200" players list. Bailey and Martin led the way in individual rankings, checking-in at No. 11 and No. 45 overall, respectively.
- The home-grown Missouri duo also each earned 2017 Premier Girls Fastpitch (PGF) All-American status following their standout senior seasons in high school.
Visit MUTigers.com for the latest information on all things Mizzou Softball. You can also find the Tigers on social media by liking us on Facebook (University of Missouri Softball Team) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@MizzouSoftball).
