Saturday, April 24, 2010

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (April 24, 2010) - For the first time since joining the Atlantic Sun Conference back in 2006 the ETSU softball team won't advance to postseason play, but the Lady Bucs can still play spoilers Sunday afternoon when taking on USC Upstate. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 1 p.m. at the Cyrill Softball Stadium.

ETSU (16-32, 5-13) is coming off a sweep over N.C. Central on Friday afternoon, but the Blue and Gold had their postseason hopes come to an end after dropping two games to Campbell Thursday night in Buies Creek, N.C.

However, with the Spartans eligible for postseason play for the first time since joining the A-Sun, ETSU can spoil their chances of making the six-team double-elimination tournament on Upstate's senior day Sunday afternoon.

The Spartans currently sit as the fifth seed at 33-12, 8-8, but Jacksonville and Campbell are lurking right behind Upstate in the conference standings.    

The Lady Bucs put up monstrous numbers in their two wins over N.C. Central on Friday, as ETSU scored 35 runs on 37 hits, while also setting a program-record 19 hits in game two against the Eagles. In addition, senior shortstop Cheniece Cason (Moreno Valley, Calif.) finished the day 7-for-10 and tied the school record with her four-hit effort in game two - becoming only the 11th player in Lady Buccaneer history to accomplish the feat.

Meanwhile, Upstate has four conference games remaining and the Spartans are led by junior right-handed pitcher Morgan Childers. Childers is currently tied for the NCAA Division I lead in wins (27) and ranks third in shutouts (12) and strikeouts (347).

Fans unable to make the trip to Spartanburg can follow all the action live on ASun.TV and through GameTracker. To access both links click on the links above or visit UpstateSpartans.com.

For more information on Lady Buccaneer softball, visit www.ETSUBucs.com.