Like the UND softball program's winning percentage, senior outfielder Rachael Waynick's batting average the past four years has been trending upward.
In Waynick's freshman season in 2014, UND won six of 45 games and Waynick batted .103.
The Fighting Hawks have followed with records of 12-43, 17-37 and now 23-30 in 2017. Waynick's batting average has ticked up from .115 as a sophomore to .169 as a junior to .293 as a senior.
Waynick, of Waterford, Mich., will take that breakout season into UND's first-ever Big Sky Conference tournament appearance today. The Fighting Hawks will play Southern Utah at 10:30 a.m. in the first round in Ogden, Utah-the home of league champion Weber State.
"I came into the season thinking I was going to do whatever it took to play," Waynick said. "That was playing my role. I'm never going to be a home-run hitter. I won't hit 13 doubles and eight homers. I was hitting for contact."
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Waynick has started 42 games this season, collecting 40 hits including five doubles, two triples and a home run.
"She has always been a good defensive player," UND coach Jordan Stevens said. "In the past, she's got spot starts because we needed her defense. If she gave us anything offensively, it would be a bonus. This year, she decided she wanted to be in the lineup more often. She let it all go and it has paid off for her."
Stevens said Waynick's production jump has been a pleasant surprise.
"You're surprised when a kid doubles her batting average, especially considering when you see the same number as a freshman, sophomore and junior," Stevens said. "You hope that it happens but after three years you usually look at it 'this is what you're going to get.'"
UND's steady climb up the Big Sky ladder the past four years has been rewarding for Waynick.
"It's a really good feeling," she said. "My freshman year, everyone knows we struggled. We just have gradually gotten better under coach Stevens. This year, we've got to a good place. It's a complete 180."
UND took two of three games against Southern Utah last weekend. UND is the tournament No. 5 seed, while SUU is the No. 4 seed. The winner takes on top seed Weber State at 3:30.
"We've made it this far, we might as well go all the way," Waynick said. "We can't think that way too much, though. We have to go one game at a time. I'm just really happy to get this experience as a senior and go out like that."
