No. 20 Emory Softball To Play Four Games At NTC
The Emory softball team, ranked 20th in the nation
among Division III programs, has packed its bags and is headed to
the National Training Center in Orlando, Fla., where it will play
four games prior to the taking part in the University Athletic
Association Tournament. On Sunday (Mar. 6), the Eagles battle
Thiel College at 9:00 a.m. before meeting Elizabethtown in a
scheduled 11:00 a.m. first pitch. After an off-day on Monday,
takes on two more foes on Tuesday, Lebanon Valley at 9:30 a.m.
followed by Moravian at 11:30. The UAA Tournament will begin
on Thursday, March 10, in Altamonte Springs, Fla.
Heading into its Florida swing, Emory stands 10-0, just the second
time in program history that it has captured its opening 10 games
of the season. The Eagles have been solid in all phases
of the game thus far, outhitting opponents, .333 to .230 while
outscoring their foes by a 68-13 margin.
Last weekend, the Eagles earned four hard-fought victories at the
Birmingham Southern Invitational. Emory opened with 3-2 and
6-4 decisions over Greensboro and BSC, respectively, on Saturday
before registering 4-2 and 1-0 verdicts over the Pride and
Panthers on Sunday. Junior left fielder Jessica Thomas was
tabbed the UAA Player of the Week for her performance at the
Invitational, hitting .417 with five hits in 12 plate appearances,
three game-winning RBIs and two homers. The tandem of
freshman Lena Brottman and junior Bridget Holloway.continued to
shine on the mound, with each compiling a pair of complete-game
victories. Holloway hurled the shutout against BSC on Sunday,
allowing just four hits.
Guided by sixth-year head coach Amy Schafer, Thiel College, a
member of the President’s Athletic Conference, is coming off
a 19-20 record in 2010. The Tomcats have a wealth of
experience on this year’s roster, led by seniors Melissa
Rankin (.380, 17 RBIs), Laura Davin, a starter in all 39 games last
year, in center field, and pitcher Emily Batiz, who completed 15 of
17 starts a year ago.
A member of the Commonwealth Conference, eighth-year head coach
Kathy Staib looks to improve upon Elizabethtown’s 18-13-1
won-lost ledger of a year ago. The Blue Jays welcome back
their top two pitchers from last season, Emily Vogel (8-7, 3.12
ERA) and Julie Sebastian (10-6, 3.43 ERA). A pair of
sophomores, Courtney Comstock and Elly McCarthy, look to lead the
offensive attack after enjoying fine rookie seasons. Comstock
finished with a .377 hitting average with nine doubles while
McCarthy hit .333 with nine homers and 30 RBIs.
Another member of the Commonwealth Conference, Lebanon Valley
landed a berth in the NCAA D-III Tournament en route to finishing
with a final mark of 34-13. 13th-year head coach
Stacey Hollinger returns two solid performers on the mound in Laura
Snyder (15-5, 1.38 ERA) and Val Malizzia (17-6, 2.53 ERA) while
Meghan Donohue is a key offensive performer who hit for a .391
average with seven homers and 29 RBIs.
Moravian College, ranked 11th in this week’s
national poll, recorded an impressive 34-15 slate that included a
spot in the 2010 Division III World Series. Head Coach John
Byrne, now in his 17th year with the Greyhounds’
program, returns 10 starters from last year including junior hurler
Jenna Carmon (25-10, 1.46 ERA) as well as infielders Stephanie
Falzarano, a senior who started 43 games and hit .331, and
sophomore Shannen Mohr, who hit .305 with eight homers and 41
RBIs.
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