JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Mar. 15, 2008) - The ETSU softball team opens Atlantic  Sun play by hosting conference newcomer Florida Gulf Coast  Sunday afternoon from Metro-Kiwanis Park. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 2 p.m.

The Softball Bucs began their season-long eight-game home stand with a split against Tennessee Tech on Wednesday. Sophomore Marissa Hardy (Rocklin, Calif.) struck out a career-high 12 batters en route to a 3-1 victory in game one versus the Golden Eagles. However, Tech responded with a 10-3 victory in game two, forcing the split. Hardy is 2-0 with 0.82 ERA (2 ER/17.0 IP) and 20 strikeouts in her last four appearances, while freshman Katie Henderson (Jackson, Tenn.) leads the club with a .326 batting average (14-for-43). Henderson also has two home runs and six RBIs over her last six games.

Florida Gulf Coast, who leads the conference with 31 wins, had its doubleheader with Western Carolina rained out on Saturday. The Eagles swept Appalachian State on Friday and have won 14 of their last 15 games.

ETSU will have its hands full on Sunday as FGCU leads the A-Sun in hitting (.314) and ranks third in pitching (1.74 ERA). The Eagles are led by senior outfielder Carmen Paez and freshman hurler Morgan Campen. Paez leads the team in hitting (.402) and is the league leader with 15 home runs, while Campen is 9-1 with a 1.09 ERA (12 ER/77.0 IP). Campen's ERA ranks third in the conference where as senior Rachel Edinger leads all conference pitchers with her 14 victories.

The Lady Bucs were selected fifth and Eagles were sixth in the Preseason Atlantic Sun Coaches' Poll.

Please visit www.ETSUBucs.com for a full recap of Sunday's doubleheader.