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Softball Zach Karbach - CCU Sports Information

Game Preview: Cougars Shift Series with Chadron

Softball Zach Karbach - CCU Sports Information

Game Preview: Cougars Shift Series with Chadron

Colorado Christian vs. Chadron State
Thursday, March 11  | 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
Friday, March 12 | 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

Lakewood, CO
Up to 350 fans will be allowed

  • The Cougars are on a six game win streak against Chadron State.
  • The Cougars are 13-5 at home against Chadron State.
  • The Cougars average 5.78 runs per game

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RETURNING SENIORS

The Cougars will have two of their best players returning this season, Stephanie Day and Caitlin McCarthy. Both players were seniors last season but due to COVID-19 ending the spring season prematurely all spring sport athletes were granted an extra season of athletic eligibility. Day and McCarthy both decided to return for one more season to help lead the Cougars to the top of the RMAC by the end of the season.

EXCITING NEWCOMERS

 Three of the Cougars first year players are looking to get plenty of playing time, transfer Julie Katz has already made her impact with the team, throwing a complete game in three starts and has a 2.90 ERA with 10 strikeouts.

Freshman Kayla and Kenzie Middleton also will be seeing plenty of at bats this season. The freshman from Golden High School have started in all eight games this season.

Kenzie Middleton has two home runs and six RBI with a .400 batting average.

Kayla Middleton also hit a home run and is slugging .440 to start the season.

MOMENTUM FROM LAST SEASON

The Cougars finished the shortened 2020 season in a tie for first place in the RMAC in large part because the Cougars went 11-2 to end the season. Ending the season on such a run will help the Cougars as their first RMAC series of the season is against the Fort Lewis Sky Hawks and the Cougars went 3-1 against the Sky Hawks for a strong start to RMAC play. The Cougars are currently in a tie for fourth place in the RMAC after the opening weekend.

HEAD COACH – LARRY HAYS

A resume filled with outstanding accomplishments, Larry Hays finished his second year as the Colorado Christian head softball coach in 2020.

 A shortened season, he led the team to a 20-7 record and tied for the lead in the RMAC and created a high powered offense that was second in the nation in runs.

During his first season he led the squad to a second-place finish in the RMAC while coaching six all-conference players. Four players earned all-region accolades while one, Stephanie Day, earned All-American honors.

As a collegiate women's softball coach in 2010, Hays led the Lubbock Christian Lady Chaps to a 54-7 record and an NAIA National Championship.  He has coached baseball for 15 years at Lubbock Christian and for 21 years at Texas Tech compiling a remarkable 1509-860 record over those years.  Additionally, Hays has coached men's & women's basketball at Lubbock Christian and served as their Athletic Director for eight years.
 
In addition to winning multiple conference and national championships, Hays has received numerous personal awards including the following:  Southwest Conference Baseball Coach of the Year, Big 12 Baseball Coach of the Year, NAIA Hall of Fame Inductee, Texas Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee, National College Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee. 

SCHEDULE: The Cougars will be playing in 44 games this season, 40 conference games along with four non-conference games. The Cougars will be allowing small amounts of fans at home games with proper social distancing policies in place at All-Star Park.

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Players Mentioned

Stephanie  Day

#5 Stephanie Day

3B
5' 8"
Senior
R/R
Caitlin McCarthy

#24 Caitlin McCarthy

C
5' 3"
Senior
R/R
Julie Katz

#3 Julie Katz

P
5' 7"
Junior
R/R
Kenzie Middleton

#58 Kenzie Middleton

OF/C
5' 7"
Freshman
R/R
Kayla Middleton

#85 Kayla Middleton

SS
5' 7"
Freshman
R/R

Players Mentioned

Stephanie  Day

#5 Stephanie Day

5' 8"
Senior
R/R
3B
Caitlin McCarthy

#24 Caitlin McCarthy

5' 3"
Senior
R/R
C
Julie Katz

#3 Julie Katz

5' 7"
Junior
R/R
P
Kenzie Middleton

#58 Kenzie Middleton

5' 7"
Freshman
R/R
OF/C
Kayla Middleton

#85 Kayla Middleton

5' 7"
Freshman
R/R
SS