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Ft. Worth, Texas – Coming off a KCAC postseason tournament championship that netted an NAIA National Tournament berth, the Friends University Falcons are ready to embark on a new chapter with the 2020 campaign that is scheduled to begin Friday (Feb. 7) at the NAIA College Cowtown Classic in Ft. Worth, Texas.
Under first-year head coach Suzanne Unruh, the Falcons finished third in the KCAC during the 2019 regular season before picking up steam down the stretch to win 18 of 21 games that included sweeping all four games of the conference tourney.
"I think this team is ready to continue where we left off last spring!" Unruh said. "We are ready to get this season started! When you look on paper, losing eight seniors last year who all played important roles on the team, you would think our cupboards are bare. But I really feel like with the strength and leadership in returners like Hali Walters (JR/Longmont, Colo.), Renee Downey (SR/Modesto, Calif.) and Kat Davis (SO/Keller, Texas), we are rearing to go for 2020 full force!!!"
Walters, a first-team All-KCAC performer last year, paced the KCAC in wins (19) last year and ranked third in the league in strikeouts per game (6.70) and fifth in ERA (2.58). She was particularly dominant in April, going 10-1 with 66 strikeouts and a miniscule 0.83 ERA.
"This year, Hali has focused on her power and velocity on the mound," Unruh said. "But overall our pitching staff as a whole is deeper and stronger, including some young talent who are getting tougher every day!"
Senior Ashlyn Jacobs (JR/Valley Center, Kan. ) will give the Falcons another veteran arm to throw in the mix for innings in the circle. Jacobs was 4-0 last season with a 3.55 ERA in 23.2 innings last year.
Offensively, the Falcons return Davis, a second-team all-conference performer and the 2019 KCAC Freshman of the Year. She will be a boon for the Falcons at the plate after finishing second on the team in both hitting (.423) and RBIs (32) last season.
The sophomore duo of Savannah Jackson (SO/Ramona, Calif. ) and Ruley return and should be a boost to the Falcons this season. Both contributed last year, with Jackson batting .298 and ranking third on the team with 29 RBIs. Ruley hit .293 and drove in 16 runs. Downey started all 44 games she played in last season and drove home 18 runs.
"Offensively, Kat and Halley return with the strong bats in our offense, but gaining again, freshman with tremendous talents at the plate, I feel like our lineup will stay consistent," Unruh said. "Kat will move to left field."
"Other Returners I am expecting big things from this year is Renee, our only senior on the roster. She has been a four-year Varsity player and will be important for us defensively at second and third base. Sophomores with a lot of varsity experience last year include Hannah Lang (SO/Topeka, Kan. ) in the middle infield, Halley at DP/corner, Ericka Baca (SO/Arlington, Texas) in the outfield, and Savannah at catcher. They have all stepped up this year and will contribute to our success on the field and/or in the lineup. And newcomers to watch are Michelle Kroell (FR/Clovis, Calif. ), Carolyn Dallimore (FR/Patterson, Calif. ), Makenna Mitchell (FR/Orange County, Calif. ) and Gianna Tijerina (FR/Fort Lupton, Colo. ).
The Falcons will open the NAIA Cowtown Classic Friday at 3 pm vs. William Woods University. Friends will then square off with No. 3-ranked and last year's NAIA National Runner-Up Oklahoma City University at 5 pm. On Saturday (Feb. 8), the Falcons will face (RV) Central Baptist College at 9 am and then Southwestern Assemblies of God University at 11 am.
The home opener for the Falcons will be the next Friday (Feb. 14) vs. Mount Marty College, with conference play beginning in Kansas City, Mo. on Mar. 16 in a KCAC tournament title rematch against Avila University.
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Under first-year head coach Suzanne Unruh, the Falcons finished third in the KCAC during the 2019 regular season before picking up steam down the stretch to win 18 of 21 games that included sweeping all four games of the conference tourney.
"I think this team is ready to continue where we left off last spring!" Unruh said. "We are ready to get this season started! When you look on paper, losing eight seniors last year who all played important roles on the team, you would think our cupboards are bare. But I really feel like with the strength and leadership in returners like Hali Walters (JR/Longmont, Colo.), Renee Downey (SR/Modesto, Calif.) and Kat Davis (SO/Keller, Texas), we are rearing to go for 2020 full force!!!"
Walters, a first-team All-KCAC performer last year, paced the KCAC in wins (19) last year and ranked third in the league in strikeouts per game (6.70) and fifth in ERA (2.58). She was particularly dominant in April, going 10-1 with 66 strikeouts and a miniscule 0.83 ERA.
"This year, Hali has focused on her power and velocity on the mound," Unruh said. "But overall our pitching staff as a whole is deeper and stronger, including some young talent who are getting tougher every day!"
Senior Ashlyn Jacobs (JR/Valley Center, Kan. ) will give the Falcons another veteran arm to throw in the mix for innings in the circle. Jacobs was 4-0 last season with a 3.55 ERA in 23.2 innings last year.
Offensively, the Falcons return Davis, a second-team all-conference performer and the 2019 KCAC Freshman of the Year. She will be a boon for the Falcons at the plate after finishing second on the team in both hitting (.423) and RBIs (32) last season.
The sophomore duo of Savannah Jackson (SO/Ramona, Calif. ) and Ruley return and should be a boost to the Falcons this season. Both contributed last year, with Jackson batting .298 and ranking third on the team with 29 RBIs. Ruley hit .293 and drove in 16 runs. Downey started all 44 games she played in last season and drove home 18 runs.
"Offensively, Kat and Halley return with the strong bats in our offense, but gaining again, freshman with tremendous talents at the plate, I feel like our lineup will stay consistent," Unruh said. "Kat will move to left field."
"Other Returners I am expecting big things from this year is Renee, our only senior on the roster. She has been a four-year Varsity player and will be important for us defensively at second and third base. Sophomores with a lot of varsity experience last year include Hannah Lang (SO/Topeka, Kan. ) in the middle infield, Halley at DP/corner, Ericka Baca (SO/Arlington, Texas) in the outfield, and Savannah at catcher. They have all stepped up this year and will contribute to our success on the field and/or in the lineup. And newcomers to watch are Michelle Kroell (FR/Clovis, Calif. ), Carolyn Dallimore (FR/Patterson, Calif. ), Makenna Mitchell (FR/Orange County, Calif. ) and Gianna Tijerina (FR/Fort Lupton, Colo. ).
The Falcons will open the NAIA Cowtown Classic Friday at 3 pm vs. William Woods University. Friends will then square off with No. 3-ranked and last year's NAIA National Runner-Up Oklahoma City University at 5 pm. On Saturday (Feb. 8), the Falcons will face (RV) Central Baptist College at 9 am and then Southwestern Assemblies of God University at 11 am.
The home opener for the Falcons will be the next Friday (Feb. 14) vs. Mount Marty College, with conference play beginning in Kansas City, Mo. on Mar. 16 in a KCAC tournament title rematch against Avila University.
Continue reading...