SIOUX FALLS – University of Sioux Falls Softball opens their 30-game conference schedule on Tuesday afternoon with a doubleheader at Southwest Minnesota State at 2 and 4 p.m. The Cougars (13-12, 0-0 NSIC) wrapped up their nonconference schedule two weeks ago, posting a 1-5 record at the Hy-Vee Classic.
 
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Series History: Cougars hold 6-4 edge over SMSU
After sweeping the regular season series with Southwest Minnesota State last season, Sioux Falls was eliminated from the NSIC Tournament with two losses to the Mustangs. With a 2-2 record against SMSU last season the Cougars are now 6-4 head-to-head with SMSU since joining the NSIC in 2012-13. At home, USF picked up 3-2 and 7-3 wins in last year's regular season before dropping games 5-4 and 4-2 in the postseason.
 
Newcomers leading Cougars in nonconference season
With six decorated seniors departing the program at the end of the fruitful 2016 season, USF Softball has leaned on several newcomers in the opening stages of the 2017 campaign. Recently inserted into the starting lineup, freshman Kenna Heath has been outstanding while leading the Cougars with a .463 batting average this season, including three doubles and 12 RBI. Splitting time at catcher and designated player, junior Jasmine Ragusi has appeared in all but one game and she is second on the Cougars with a .338 batting average, connecting on nine doubles and three homeruns with a team-high 18 RBI. Freshmen Emma Schifferle (.326) and Sydney Nieveen (.313) have been mainstays in the Cougars lineup and each have seven doubles while combining for 21 RBI. In the circle, freshman Courtney Mathews has started 10 games and has a team-leading 3.77 ERA with 41 strikeouts.