Wednesday, October 12, 2005

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (October 12, 2005) - The East Tennessee State softball team has announced the scheduling of its Blue/Gold game, set for Saturday, October 22.  The first game of the doubleheader is slated for 10 a.m., at Metro-Kiwanis Park. 

The Lady Bucs will be led in their inaugural season of action in the Atlantic Sun Conference by first-year head coach and former ETSU player Andrea Roberts.  Roberts inherits a squad that finished 25-33 overall, 10-9 in conference play last spring. 

Back for the 2006 campaign is senior Janine Sprague (Hillsborough, N.C.), last season's conference player of the year, who led the Lady Bucs with a .358 average. 

Also returning are senior hurlers Belinda Barrera (Fayetteville, N.C.) and Courtney Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.).  Jenkins finished the 2005 campaign with a team-best 2.23 ERA, with Barrera posting an ERA of 2.65.  Jessica Lonsinger (Dale City, Va.), who smacked 28 hits last season, completes the quartet of returning seniors.  ETSU welcomes 12 players back from last season, along with seven new freshmen.