Thursday, March 25, 2010

ETSU opens A-Sun play at Lipscomb Friday

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 25, 2010) - There's no better place to change your tune than going to the music city capital - Nashville.

The ETSU softball team looks to do just that when the Lady Bucs hope to change their losing pitches to winning ways, as the Blue and Gold open Atlantic Sun play Friday evening at Lipscomb. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 5 p.m. (Eastern) at Draper Diamond.

ETSU (9-17) has lost six straight and 13 of their last 15 games; however, a new season begins this weekend as the top six teams become eligible for the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament this May in DeLand, Fla.

Senior shortstop Cheniece Cason (Moreno Valley, Calif.) - who leads the club in hitting (.325), hits (27), runs scored (22) and triples (4) - currently carries a nine-game hitting streak into play on Friday. Fellow senior Trisha Massenzo (Russellville, Tenn.) has been productive lately as she has hit safely in 14 of her last 16 games - going 18-for-50 (.360) with three doubles, three home runs, five runs scored and 13 RBI over that stretch.

Lipscomb (20-7) will be a major test for ETSU, as the Lady Bisons were selected the league favorite in the preseason coaches' poll; while also receiving votes in both top 25 polls. The Lady Bisons are currently leading the conference in hitting (.315) and third in pitching (1.66 ERA).

Individually, Lipscomb is led by senior infielder Abby Keese - who is hitting .407 (33-81) with seven doubles, seven home runs and 20 RBI; while sophomore pitcher Whitney Kiihnl leads the pitching staff. Kiihnl, last season's Freshman of the Year, is 14-2 with a 0.87 ERA (12 ER/96.1 IP) in 19 appearances (nine starts).

On Saturday, ETSU will wrap up its Nashville swing with a doubleheader against Belmont. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. (Eastern) at Aquinas Field.

Like the Lady Bucs, the Bruins have struggled in non-conference action as Belmont sits at 3-21. The Bruins open A-Sun play on Friday versus USC Upstate.

Belmont currently sits last in hitting (.212), pitching (7.88 ERA) and fielding (.915) among conference foes. The Bruins are led by sophomore Ashley Byers at the plate as she is hitting .270 (17-63) with six home runs and 17 RBI; while Devon Schmidt has all three of the Bruins' victories.

Fans unable to make the trip to Nashville can catch the Lipscomb series on ASun.TV. Live stats or A-Sun.TV will not be provided for the Belmont doubleheader.

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