Thursday, April 23, 2009

MACON, Ga. (April 23, 2009) - The ETSU softball team looks to lock up an Atlantic Sun Tournament bid and improve on its seeding this weekend, as the Lady Bucs wrap up conference play down in Georgia. The Lady Bucs face Mercer on Friday (4/6 p.m.) and Kennesaw State on Saturday (2/4 p.m.)

Currently ETSU (24-21, 5-11 A-Sun) is sitting as the number five seed for next month's A-Sun Tournament, but the Lady Bucs can move up to a four seed if they win three of their four games this weekend in the Peach State.

Junior shortstop Cheniece Cason (Moreno Valley, Calif.) has been the spark plug for the Lady Bucs' offense over the last 20 games. In that span, Cason has lifted her batting average 70 points and is hitting a team-high .349 on the season. Cason, who has hit safely in her last eight games, has also posted hits in 17 of her last 20 contests. Over the last 20 games, Cason is hitting .426 (26-61) and is a perfect 9-for-9 in stolen base attempts.

Mercer (32-15, 11-5), who has all ready clinched a berth to postseason play, boasts one of the best pitching and fielding teams in the A-Sun. The Bears have team ERA of 1.93 and a fielding percentage of .977. At the plate Mercer is led by junior outfielder Holly Oglesbee and freshman infielder Sara Stukes. Oglesbee leads the team with a .331 average, but Stukes is the team's leading power hitter with seven home runs, 25 RBIs and a .519 slugging percentage. Sophomore Jenni Holtz leads the Bears in the circle with a 20-7 record. Holtz carries a 1.62 ERA (38 ER/164.2 IP) and 10 shutouts into play on Friday evening.

On Saturday, the Lady Bucs will end conference regular-season play at Kennesaw State. The Owls, who were selected fourth in the preseason coaches' poll, currently holds a record of 19-28, 5-11 in A-Sun play. Kennesaw State faces USC Upstate on Friday and will then honor infielder Jamie KeKaualua on Saturday for Senior Day.

Fans unable to make the trip to Macon or Kennesaw, can view both doubleheaders online through ASun.TV. In addition, live stats will also be available by clicking the links above.

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