Free admission to doubleheader as ETSU celebrates Fan Appreciation, Military Appreciation and Student-Athlete Day

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 29, 2009) - The ETSU softball team looks to head into the Atlantic Sun Tournament on a high note when the Lady Bucs host Radford on Friday evening in their 2009 regular season finale. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 5 p.m.

The Lady Bucs are fresh off an impressive sweep over Western Carolina on Wednesday. ETSU took game one 2-0 and rallied past the Catamounts by pounding out a season-high 17 hits en route to a 10-7 come-from-behind victory.

With the wins, ETSU carries a 27-24 record into play with the Highlanders on Friday.

Freshman Annie Martin (Centerville, Tenn.) carried the load for ETSU offensively on Wednesday, as she hit safely in seven of her eight plate appearances and also belted her first collegiate home run in the fourth inning of game two. Over her last 12 games, Martin is hitting .478 (11-23) with a triple, home run, five RBIs, and six runs scored. Joining Martin with hot bats are a pair of juniors in Cheniece Cason (Moreno Valley, Calif.) and Katy Jett (Talbott, Tenn.). Cason has hit safely in 21 of her last 26 contest and leads the team with a .347 batting average. Meanwhile, after dipping below the .300 mark for the first time all season following a 0-for-3 performance against Virginia Intermont, Jett has been on fire - going 15-for-26 (.577) in the last eight games while raising her average from .299 to .344.

Radford (35-12) is coming off a 6-5 win over Elon on Wednesday where Sarah Himan and Michelle Beall each went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Overall, the Highlanders are led by freshman Leigh Godfrey's .453 batting average, while Beall and Kristen Shifflett both have 10 home runs on the year.

Fans are asked to come celebrate and support the 2009 Lady Bucs, as they play their final regular season game inside the first-year ETSU Softball Complex. Those who attend Friday's doubleheader will be treated to free admission and a chance to win ETSU prices in honor of Fan Appreciation Day. In addition, the Lady Buccaneer players will be sporting yellow ribbons on their uniforms in honor of Military Appreciation Day. Finally, ETSU student-athletes will be honored with a free Italian Ice from Rita's, as Friday marks the last day of classes prior to final exams.

In conjunction with Earth Day (which was held last week) and a class project, junior Lady Buccaneer right-hander Marissa Hardy (Rocklin, Calif.) encourages all fans to bring recyclable items to the ballpark and place them inside the special containers that she will place around the stadium. Hardy and the Lady Bucs appreciate the support of the ETSU "Go Green Project."

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