ETSU to host Upstate in Tuesday doubleheader; Fox looks to extend 11-game hit streak

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 16, 2015) - On the heels of a doubleheader split versus Eastern Michigan, ETSU will host former Atlantic Sun cohort USC Upstate Tuesday, March 17 for a pair of games set to begin at 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.

The Tuesday matchup will feature two potent offenses as the Bucs' scoring offense (5.50) ranks second in the Southern Conference, while USC Upstate leads the Atlantic Sun in scoring, averaging nearly eight runs per contest.

Tuesday, March 17

4:00 p.m. vs. USC Upstate | LIVE STATS

6:00 p.m. vs USC Upstate | LIVE STATS

GETTING UP TO SPEED

The Buccaneers (10-10) were last in action Sunday, March 15, splitting a Sunday doubleheader versus Eastern Michigan at Betty Basler Field in Johnson City.

ETSU earned a commanding, 14-4 victory in Game One of the doubleheader before falling, 7-4, in extra innings in the second and final contest.

The Bucs belted four home runs in their Game One victory, including back-to-back long balls from Bethany Cowart (Ringgold, Ga.) and Latosha Rectenwald (Morristown, Tenn.), and a pair of homers by freshman Kelsey Smith (Tucson, Ariz.). Smith went a combined 3-for-5 on the day with three home runs, eight RBI, and four runs scored.

Smith, who is one of nine ETSU players batting over .300 this season (.333), is the Southern Conference's leader for home runs (8), home runs per game (0.44), and slugging percentage (.875). The Tucson, Ariz., native ranks seventh in NCAA Division I for home runs per game and 22nd in the country for RBI per game (1.39).

Rectenwald, who ranks second on the team with six home runs, has hit a roundtripper in three of the past four games.

As a team, ETSU ranks 22nd in the nation for home runs per game (1.30). The Bucs lead the SoCon in homers per game and slugging percentage (.500).

ETSU is one of just three teams in NCAA Division I to have stolen at least 26 bases without being caught stealing (Arizona: 35, Tennessee: 29). The Bucs are a perfect 26-for-26 on stolen base attempts this season.

Junior outfielder Jenine Duncan (Jonesborough, Tenn.), ETSU's steals leader (12), ranks first in the SoCon and 14th in the nation for stolen bases per game (0.80).

Redshirt senior Nicole Fox (Peachtree City, Ga.) has swiped nine bags on the year. The Peachtree City, Ga., native is in the midst of a team-best 11-game hit streak. Over that span, Fox has batted .476 (20-42) with three doubles, two triples, seven steals, and 11 runs scored, raising her batting average more than 100 points from .276 to .394.

On the mound, sophomore Taylor Carter (Brazil, Ind.) leads ETSU with five wins, including four victories in her last five starts. The Brazil, Ind., native currently ranks 29th in the nation in fewest walks per seven innings (1.17). Last season, Carter finished second in NCAA Division I in the category, allowing only 0.74 walks per contest.

OPPONENT AT A GLANCE

Like ETSU, the Spartans (17-4) feature a potent offensive attack, leading the Atlantic Sun in scoring (7.90), batting average (.355), doubles per game (1.90), and home runs per game (1.90).

USC Upstate, winners of five of its last six games and 13 of its last 15, also leads the A-Sun in earned run average (2.33) and win-loss percentage (.810).

Paced by seniors Shellie Robinson and Cheyenne Griffin, USC Upstate ranks among the nation's Top 10 in batting average, home runs per game, scoring, and slugging percentage (.648).

Robinson, the nation's leader for runs per game (1.52), leads the Spartans with a .452 batting average. Meanwhile, Griffin is hitting .426 and leads the A-Sun with nine home runs.

On the mound for the Spartans, Lexi Shubert has earned a team-best 10 wins in 15 appearances. Amanda Storch leads the team with a 1.53 ERA and has posted a 6-1 record.

BY THE NUMBERS

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