The Northwest Missouri State softball team will open up MIAA play as the squad treks to Hays, Kan., and Kearney, Neb., this weekend for doubleheaders against Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney.
 
The Bearcats enter the weekend with a 12-6 overall record.
 
Fort Hays has an 11-7 overall record.
 
Nebraska-Kearney comes in with a 9-13 overall record.
 
Saturday, March 11
Northwest Missouri State vs. Fort Hays (DH)
1 p.m. & 3 p.m.
Watch | Live Stats
 
Sunday, March 12
Northwest Missouri State vs. Nebraska-Kearney (DH)
2 p.m. & 4 p.m.
Watch | Live Stats
 
Northwest holds a 19-17 advantage in the all-time series against the Fort Hays State Tigers. The teams split the most recent doubleheader last season.
 
The Bearcats have a 16-13 lead in the all-time series against the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers. The Lopers won both games in the doubleheader last season.
 
Northwest is coming off another solid weekend as the team went 3-1 down in Joplin, Mo., against teams from the GLVC. The Bearcats have won six of their last seven games.
 
As a team, Northwest is tied for first in the MIAA in batting average at .324. The 'Cats are led by Omara Love who is hitting .471 which currently ranks No. 6 in the conference. She is followed closely by Olivia Daugherty who is No. 12 in the MIAA in hitting at .436. Both Love and Daugherty have 24 hits on the season, but Daugherty has had four more at bats.
 
Daugherty leads the team with eight home runs which is second in the MIAA. She ranks fifth in the conference in slugging percentage (.909) and fourth in RBIs (24).
 
Bearcat pitcher Hayden Simmons is No. 5 in the conference in ERA at 1.50. Simmons is 4-0 this season allowing a team-low 17 hits and nine runs. She also leads the team in strikeouts with 36.
 
Skylar Pieper has a team-best nine doubles this season off 17 hits. Her nine doubles puts her at No. 2 in the conference. She is the only Bearcat with a triple.