SB Game Preview: WBU vs Christian Brothers (Mar. 18 | 1 & 3 PM)

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. (3/17/25) – The Williams Baptist University softball team will take on Christian Brothers in a non-conference doubleheader at home on Tuesday, Mar. 17.

GAME INFORMATION

WILLIAMS EAGLES (13-6, 0-0 AMC) vs CHRISTIAN BROTHERS BUCCANEERS (10-16, 2-13 GSC)

GAME ONE - Tuesday, Mar. 18 - 1:00 p.m. CDT - WBU Softball Field (Walnut Ridge, Ark.)
Live stats: https://wbueagles.com/sports/sball/2024-25/boxscores/20250318_ca1y.xml
Live video: wbueagles.com/watch 

GAME TWO - Tuesday, Mar. 18 - 3:00 p.m. CDT - WBU Softball Field (Walnut Ridge, Ark.)
Live stats: https://wbueagles.com/sports/sball/2024-25/boxscores/20250318_337m.xml
Live video: wbueagles.com/watch 

MATCHUP FACTS

Last Game: April 2, 2024 (WBU 5-3)
Current Streak: WBU W2
Last CBU Win: Mar. 14, 2023 (8-6, 9 innings)

WBU QUICK FACTS

2025 Record: 13-6 (0-0 AMC)
Current Streak: W2
2024 Record: 37-17 (14-4 AMC)
2023-24 Postseason: None
Head Coach: Jessica Nutt (6th)
HC Record: 117-114 (40-34 AMC)
Assistant Coach: Ashlie Dahl (4th)

ABOUT CHRISTIAN BROTHERS

2024-25 Record: 10-16 (2-13 GSC)
Current Streak: L3
2023-24 Record: 18-30 (9-21 HAAC)
2023-24 Postseason: None
Head Coach: Tara Wheeler (4th season)
Assistant Coach: Bryanna Castro

CBU'S LAST TIME OUT

• CBU was swept in three games by Auburn University-Montgomery by the final scores of 3-2, 2-0, and 5-4 last weekend

• The Bucs got out to a 2-0 lead in game one, but AUM put up two in the bottom of the seventh to secure the walk-off victory

• The Bucs were shut out in game two as AUM clinched the series 2-0

• A two-run double from Kate Candies in the first got CBU out to a 2-0 lead

• After AUM responded with three runs in the second, CBU jumped back in front 4-3

• AUM scored one in the fifth to tie it, and walked it off in the seventh to secure the sweep

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS NOTABLES

• Ashley Williamson leads the Bucs with a .342 AVG

• Marin Beeson follows behind with a .313 AVG at the plate

• Riley Simpson leads CBU in RBI's this season with 15

• Kaysie Jolley has the team lead in home runs with three so far 

• Kate Candies and Summer Alexander are tied for the team lead in homers with two 

• Gabby Dickerson leads Bucs pitchers with a 2.76 ERA through 13 appearances

• Dickerson holds a .229 BAA and 5-7 record

• CBU holds a .261 AVG as a team (9th GSC)

• The Bucs are second in the Gulf South with 11 triples this season 

• The CBU pitching staff holds a 4.44 ERA (11th GSC) with a .289 BAA (9th GSC)

WBU'S LAST TIME OUT

• WBU swept Lyon College at home by the final scores of 8-1 and 6-3 last Thursday

• Emberlin Caldwell went 7.0 innings with one earned run and nine strikeouts

• After a solo home run from Lyon in the top of the fourth, WBU responded with an eight-run inning in the bottom of the frame

• Ashlyn Michael put WBU in front with a two-run homer to start the rally

• Natalia Watkins drove in three runs on a bases-clearing double

• Breann Thresher went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in game two

• Brooke Scott put WBU on top with an RBI double in the bottom of the fourth

• Morgan Garner earned the win in relief after throwing 4.0 innings with only one earned run

WBU NOTABLES

• Madyson Busselle leads WBU in AVG at a .419 clip (5th AMC)

• Busselle also leads the team with 20 RBI's (3rd AMC)

• Ashlyn Michael leads WBU in home runs with three (4th AMC)

• Emberlin Caldwell leads the team in ERA at a 2.07 mark through 61.0 innings (4th AMC)

• Caldwell also leads the team in wins so far with six (T-3rd AMC)

• Emberlin Caldwell leads WBU with 54 strikeouts in the circle so far (3rd AMC)

• As a team, the Lady Eagles sport a .306 batting average so far this season (4th AMC)

• Williams has tallied 98 RBI's as a team (3rd AMC)

• WBU holds a team ERA of 2.35 (1st AMC), and a batting average against of .270 (4th AMC)

• Williams returns the AMC Player of the Year and AMC Freshman of the Year in SS Madyson Busselle (Shoebottom) and RHP Emberlin Caldwell

• Five AMC All-Conference players return for WBU in Emberlin Caldwell, Madyson Busselle, Morgan Garner, Natalia Watkins, and Kaylee Wolfe

• Emberlin Caldwell is four strikeouts away from 200 career K's

• Williams was picked to finish second in the AMC Preseason Coaches Poll

AMC PRESEASON POLL

1 Missouri Baptist (106) [7]
2 Williams Baptist (99) [2]
3 Central Baptist (89)
4 Columbia (86)
5 Cottey (85)
6 William Woods (70)
7 Stephens (54)
8 Crowley's Ridge (48)
9 UHSP (46)
10 Mission (41)
11 Hannibal-LaGrange (27)
12 Harris-Stowe (18)

SCHEDULE NOTES

• WBU will begin conference play on Friday, Mar. 21 in a doubleheader against Mission.  First pitch of game one is set for 2 p.m. from Springfield, Mo.

• WBU's 2025 schedule features 22 home games at the WBU Softball Field.