Letter to the editor: Softball success

To the editor:

It’s understandable that Lawrence only cares about KU basketball, but there are other events going on. People ask, “Why doesn’t the LJW cover anything outside of Lawrence?” Unfortunately, attempts to convince the LJW staff to even “mention” Baker softball have fallen on deaf ears.

Baker University has athletes doing big things nationally. The softball team is having incredible success! Their record is 37-7 and they are ranked 17th nationally, coached by Jamie Stanclift, born and raised in Lawrence and a four-sport letter winner at Free State.

Her teams improved each year as head coach at Baker, 13 wins her first year and 41 last year (old record was 31) and a berth in the national playoffs. The 37 wins are on pace to break last year’s total. Jamie’s players own every statistical record in softball history at Baker. There are many talented players I could mention, but I have to mention Olivia Brees. She’s from Meriden and a two-time All-American. She owns every pitching record at Baker and she led the nation in strikeouts the last two years (now leading with 341), 1,000-plus strikeouts for her career, and will be remembered as one of the best pitchers to ever play in the NAIA, not just at Baker.

Baker is all but guaranteed another berth in the championship playoffs in May. Their final home game is scheduled for April 28 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Cavaness Field in Baldwin against Grandview University (1-game lead in the conference). Go support Coach Stanclift and the softball team!

Jay Pine,

Lawrence

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