BOONE, N.C (April 8, 2008) - The ETSU softball team wraps up an eight-game road trip Wednesday afternoon as they head over the mountain to face old SoCon rival Appalachian State from the ASU Softball Stadium. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
The Softball Bucs enter Wednesday's contests with an overall record of 19-25, and have won three of their last four games.
ETSU had some fun in the Music City last weekend by sweeping Belmont and splitting with Lipscomb. Over the four-game stretch the Lady Buccaneer pitchers posted a 0.81 ERA (3 ER/26.0 IP) and seven ETSU hitters recorded a batting average over .300 in Nashville. Sophomore Katy Jett (Talbott, Tenn.) led the club with a .462 (6-13) clip, while three of Trisha Massenzo's (Russellville, Tenn.) four hits went for extra-bases; including her team-leading fifth home run at Belmont. Sophomore right-hander Marissa Hardy (Rocklin, Calif.) has been amazing in the circle over her last two starts. Hardy has not allowed an earned run in the last 13 innings and has tallied 15 strikeouts as well. Freshman Ashley Boyd (Chattanooga, Tenn.) is also doing a stellar job, going 1-1 with a 0.70 ERA (1 ER/10.0 IP) in her last two appearances.
As a team, ETSU put together two outstanding games at Belmont last Sunday. The Lady Bucs scored 17 runs on 23 hits and held the Bruins to a .093 (4-43) batting average. ETSU showcased its speed on the bases by stealing 11 bags and belted two doubles and a triple. Amanda Haverman (Kirkwood, Mo.), Kate Powell (Johnson City), Vicki McCoy (Ringgold, Ga.), Jessie Hackworth (Clinton, Tenn.) and Jett each pounded out three hits in the sweep.
Appalachian State sits 4-22 overall with three of those wins coming against Western Carolina over three weeks ago. The Mountaineers are led by freshman catcher Katie Boyd's .408 batting average, seven doubles, six home runs and 15 RBIs. Junior Kayla Richardson has accounted for three of the wins in the circle and has made 14 of ASU's 26 starts on the season.
Following their day trip to Boone, the Lady Bucs return home for a six-game homestand - which begins Saturday afternoon versus Longwood. First pitch of Senior Day will begin at 2 p.m. from Metro-Kiwanis Park.
For more information on Lady Buccaneer softball, visit www.ETSUBucs.com.
