Thursday, April 01, 2010

ETSU hosts Stetson Friday, FGCU Saturday

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 1, 2010) - Coming off a sweep at Appalachian State on Wednesday evening, the ETSU softball team looks to carry its winning ways into a critical Atlantic Sun Conference showdown this weekend at the ETSU Softball Complex.

The Lady Bucs host Stetson on Friday at 4/6 p.m., while taking on Florida Gulf Coast Saturday at 2/4 p.m. at the ETSU Softball Complex.

ETSU (12-20, 1-3) has won three of its last four games - including its last two against Appalachian State on Wednesday. The Lady Bucs got strong pitching performances from all four of their hurlers, while some clutch hitting from freshman Sam Lower (Sebring, Fla.) proved to be the difference maker in both contests. Junior newcomer Jessica Duncan (Ooltewah, Tenn.) tossed four innings of one-run ball, while senior righty Marissa Hardy (Rocklin, Calif.) held the Mountaineers to one hit in the final three innings en route to capturing her first victory since Feb. 26 in the 3-1 win in game one. In the nightcap, senior Darci Gilbert (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) pitched four scoreless innings to get the win and sophomore right-hander Shelby Morris (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) earned her second collegiate save by allowing one run in the final three innings of work in the 2-1 sweep over the Mountaineers. At the plate, Lower went 3-for-6 (.500) and drove in three of the five Lady Buccaneer runs.

Stetson (19-14, 1-1) will be making its first road trip outside the Sunshine state for the first time in 2010. The Hatters have played 32 of their first 33 games at home with the lone road contest being a trip to Central Florida back on Feb. 17. Stetson has won six of its last nine games and split with North Florida in the conference opener on March 17.

The Hatters are led by the strong arm of senior righty Amanda Lindsey, as she is 12-7 with a 0.95 ERA (17 ER/125.0 IP). Lindsey boasts the third lowest ERA in the conference, while Stetson's 1.64 team earned run average ranks third. Lindsey is also getting it done at the plate, as she leads the club with a .373 batting average and has recorded a team-high six home runs and 16 RBI.

On Saturday, the Lady Bucs will host their second straight opponent from the Sunshine state as the Eagles of Florida Gulf Coast visit Johnson City.

FGCU (15-21, 4-2) won the A-Sun regular season title back in 2008 and fell one-game short of tying Campbell for the crown a year ago. The Eagles are led by the one-two punch of senior outfielder Jessica Gary and junior outfielder Courtney Platt. Gary leads the club in hitting (.351), hits (39) and runs scored (26), while Platt has tallied a team-leading eight home runs and 24 RBI on the year.

The Eagles play a doubleheader at USC Upstate on Friday before making the trip to Johnson City Saturday.

Fans who come out to the softball stadium this weekend can participate in two special promotions. On Friday, the ETSU Marketing Department has announced a Crazy Hat promotion, meaning the fan who wears the wackiest attire on their head will have an opportunity to win VIP seating and free food. Saturday is a special Father/Daughter Day promotion, as daughters who attend the game with their dad will receive 2-for-1 admission and a complimentary hot dog.

Fans unable to make the trip to the park this weekend can follow all the action online via live stats, courtesy of ETSU Athletics. To access live stats, visit www.ETSUBucs.com or click on the link above.

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