MARSHALL, Texas — Softball begins the Marshall Regional today at 12:30 p.m. PDT, facing Texas Lutheran in the first round. Here's everything you need to know about the regional.

The Field

No. 1 seed (host) – East Texas Baptist Tigers (38-2) 

No. 2 seed – Texas Lutheran Bulldogs (31-3)

No. 3 seed – Chapman Panthers (26-14)

No. 4 seed – Simmons Sharks (18-23)

The Match Up

The Panthers take on the Bulldogs for the fourth time in program history. All three meetings came during the 2022 Seguin Regional hosted by the Bulldogs. Texas Lutheran swept the Panthers, taking the first three of the five-game series to move on to the NCAA Super Regionals.

In the series, Chapman made 11 errors and 32 runs. However, only allowed 11 of those runs were earned.

Chapman has been much better defensively in 2024 compared to the last time these two met. This season, the Panthers have made 39 errors versus the 52 they totaled in 2022. Their fielding percentage is also 11 points higher.

The Bulldogs score just south of 7.4 runs per game while allowing just 1.7. The Panthers score around 4.3 and allow 3.1. The Bulldogs, when aboard, run rampant, stealing 227 bases on the season. They lead the nation in that category, as does Caelee Clark, who has 84 stolen bases. 

Stat Comparisons

Batting Average – Chapman (.310), Texas Lutheran (.373)

Earned Run Average – Chapman (2.56), Texas Lutheran (1.54)

Strikeouts (Pitching) – Chapman (187), Texas Lutheran (174)

BA Leader – Chapman (Jordan Westerfield, .429), Texas Lutheran (Caelee Clark, .474)

ERA Leader – Chapman (Rose Malen, 2.17), Texas Lutheran (Ashlyn Strother, 0.89)

Strikeouts Leader – Chapman (Rose Malen, 76), Texas Lutheran (Ashlyn Strother, 129)

Keys to the Tournament

Limiting the Texas Heat

While they can't control the heat on the field, sitting in the low 80s with 70% humidity, the Panthers can control the heat on the base paths. The Bulldogs and East Texas Baptist are first and third in stolen bases. The Bulldogs' mark is a Division III record.

If the Panthers can keep the burners off the bases, they'll put themselves in a better spot to win.

Get the Bats Goin'

The Panthers have scored five or more runs in a game 17 times this season, and they are 16-1 when they do so. 

Chapman will need help from All-SCIAC selections Miranda Murphy and Jordan Westerfield, who are hitting over .400 on the season. Four of the Panthers' key lineup pieces started in all three regional games in 2022, bringing tournament experience to the roster.

Links

Watch: https://goetbutigers.com/watch/live

Live Stats: https://goetbutigers.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary

Tournament Central: https://goetbutigers.com/news/2024/5/14/softball-ncaa-sb-2024-marshall-texas-regional-tournament.aspx

Tickets: https://goetbutigers.com/sports/2023/6/12/tickets.aspx