Monday, October 13, 2008

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 13, 2008) - The ETSU softball team have begun preparations for its fourth annual Blue/Gold Classic on Monday, as head coach Andrea Mangrum announced the rosters for the single-game classic. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Metro-Kiwanis Park.

The Lady Buccaneers wrap up a productive fall season on Saturday, playing an eight-inning winner-take-all contest. ETSU has enjoyed some hot-hitting this fall, thanks to the bats of sophomore Katie Henderson (Jackson, Tenn.), juniors Katy Jett (Talbott, Tenn.) and Trisha Massenzo (Russellville, Tenn.) and senior Jessie Hackworth (Clinton, Tenn.).

Jett led the way for ETSU as she posted a team-high .473 batting average (9-for-19). The Talbott, Tenn. native also recorded team bests with her nine hits and seven runs scored, and also finished with a home run and four RBI. Massenzo led the club with seven RBIs, and ended the fall campaign 8-for-18 (.444) with three doubles, a home run, and five runs scored. Hackworth, a 2008 Atlantic Sun Tournament Team selection, posted a .400 average (6-for-15) with a double, six runs scored and one RBI. Henderson went 5-for-12 (.417) with two doubles, a home run, four runs scored and six RBI.

Each of the three Lady Buccaneer pitchers notched a victory in the circle. Junior Darci Gilbert (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) completed the fall season with a pair of wins, marking a team best; while fellow junior Marissa Hardy (Rocklin, Calif.) and freshman right-hander Shelby Morris (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) also recorded a win.

On Monday morning, coach Mangrum held a draft with honorary coaches Kirsten Clark (Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance) and Kevin Brown (Assistant Director for Athletic Media Relations). Clark and former Lady Buccaneer standout Amanda Haverman (Kirkwood, Mo.) will guide the Gold squad; while Brown and former ETSU second baseman Briana Knight (Brier, Wash.) coach the Blue team.

Below are the rosters for each team:

Blue

Cheniece Cason - SS

Staci D'Apice - RF

*Marlina Delisa - C/1B

Marissa Hardy - P

Katy Jett - 2B

*Trisha Massenzo - C/1B

Kate Powell - CF

Lexie Whittenburg - 3B

Cat Zyskowski - LF

Gold

*Amy Campbell - C/3B

*Darci Gilbert - P/LF

Jessie Hackworth - 1B

*Katie Henderson - C/3B

Annie Martin - RF

Vicki McCoy - CF

*Shelby Morris - P/LF

Chelsea O'Connor - SS

Whitney Socha - 2B

(* - Indicates each player will play four innings at both positions)

For a full recap of Saturday's game, visit www.ETSUBucs.com.