St. Cloud State Softball Prepares for Washburn Invite, Schedule Adjusted Due to Weather

ST. CLOUD, Minn. - The St. Cloud State softball team gears up to head south for the Washburn Invite in Topeka, Kansas on Feb. 25, and Feb. 26. The Huskies will face-off against Central Missouri, Pittsburg State, Nebraska-Kearney, and Rockhurst over the two days.

Tournament Schedule
Saturday, Feb. 25:

Central Missouri vs SCSU - 11:30 a.m. WU Complex
Pittsburg State vs SCSU - 5:30 p.m. WU Complex

Sunday, Feb. 26:

Nebraska-Kearney vs SCSU - 9:30 a.m. WU Complex
Rockhurst vs SCSU - 1:30 p.m. Lake Shawnee South Field

Weather Update
The Huskies were originally slated to play six games during their time at the Washburn Invite, but Friday's games against Emporia State and Fort Hays State have been canceled due to the winter storm. Saturdays and Sunday's games are on as scheduled.

Broadcast Information
Games played at the WU Complex will have game coverage via live stats and a stream broadcast. The MIAA Network will provide a game stream that is pay-per-view while live stats will be provided by Washburn. Updates will also be provided on the Huskies Softball social pages.

Game coverage links:
MIAA Network - Live Stats

A Look Back
The Huskies opened their season 2-2 at the annual Kelly Laas Invitational in St. Cloud Feb. 11 and 12. In the first game of the Kelly Laas on Feb. 11, the Huskies shutout UMary 12-0 with Trinity Junker throwing a perfect game. St. Cloud would fall in their next game with Bemidji State 3-1. On Feb. 12, the Huskies topped UMary 10-2 with Jasmin Estrada hitting her and the Huskies first home run of the season. Later, SCSU would fall 11-1 to a tough Minnesota Duluth team.

NSIC Pitcher of the Week
It was quite a start to the season for senior right-handed pitcher Trinity Junker as she was named NSIC Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 14. Junker was flawless in the circle as she threw the fifth perfect game in St. Cloud State history on opening day against UMary. Junker struck out eight while retiring all 15 batters she faced. Junker's perfect game was the first perfect game thrown since 2017.

St. Cloud State Huskies
The Huskies enter the weekend 2-2 on the season. Sydney Trees is currently hitting .556 with an on base percentage of .667 and slugging .778. In nine at bats so far this season, Trees has five hits and five RBIs. Holly Weinberger is averaging .545 at bat with a .538 on base percentage and .727 slugging. Weinberger has six hits and three RBIs. Jasmin Estrada has six RBIs so far, slugging .500. Trinity Junker has pitched a perfect game striking out eight batters in five innings while Emma Eickhoff has 11 strikeouts in 9.1 innings pitched.

Scouting Central Missouri Jennies
Central Missouri enters the weekend 7-3 on the season. The Jennies are led by graduate outfielder Makenzie Cooper who is averaging .500 at bat with an .526 on base percentage while slugging .688. In 16 at bats, she has eight hits, four RBIs, and one home run. Graduate outfielder and first base Makenzie McAtee is averaging .440 at bat with a .576 on base percentage while slugging .640. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Kaylee Diggs is 2-0 with a 1.91 ERA. Head Coach Susan Anderson is in her 17th season leading the Jennies with a career record of 470-355.

Scouting Pittsburg State Gorillas
Pittsburg State enters the weekend 7-6 on the season. The Gorillas are led by senior Taylor Lambert who is averaging .489 at the plate with a .540 on base percentage while slugging .533. In 45 at bats, she has 22 hits. Junior left-handed pitcher Hannah Harrison is 4-2 with a 1.98 ERA striking out 35 batters in 35.1 innings pitched. Head coach Jenny Fuller is in her first year leading Pittsburg State and her sixth year overall as head coach. Fuller owns a career record of 151-122.

Scouting Nebraska-Kearney Lopers
Nebraska-Kearney enters the weekend 5-8 overall. The Lopers are led by sophomore catcher Jaiden Harteker who is batting .357. She has five hits and six RBIs. Head coach Katie Ackermann is in her fourth year at UNK with a career record of 76-93.

Scouting Rockhurst Hawks
Rockhurst enters the weekend 2-2 overall. The Hawks are led by senior shortstop Maya Gallagher who is batting .455 with a .667 on base percentage while slugging .727. In 11 at bats, she has five hits and three RBIs. Junior pitcher Anna Newcomer has two shutouts on the season striking out seven batters in 12 innings pitched. Head coach Tyler Gunelson is in his second year with the Hawks and seventh overall with a career record of 134-124.

For weather updates and all the latest on St. Cloud State softball, stay tuned on scsuhuskies.com and follow the teams on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.