Wednesday, March 05, 2008

CLEARWATER, Fla. (Mar. 5, 2008) - The ETSU softball team wraps up its season-long 22-game road stretch this weekend as the Lady Buccaneers get set to play in the Under Armour Invitational Thursday morning from the Eddie C. Moore Sports Complex in Clearwater, Fla.

Coming off a stellar weekend at the College of Charleston Tournament, the Softball Bucs look to carry their momentum into Florida. After falling to the host Cougars last Friday, ETSU fought back and won four straight to close out the tournament. The Lady Bucs began their winning streak with a 5-2 win over Howard and blasted Marist, 16-1, in the first game on Saturday. ETSU posted a school record 18 hits and scored a season high in runs scored for a single game against the Red Foxes, but the Lady Buccaneers closed out tournament play with two one-run victories.

ETSU faces some stiff competition in the UA Invitational as the Lady Bucs begin play with Big Ten foe Michigan State at 9 a.m. Thursday morning and follow that up with the 13^th-ranked Baylor Bears at 2:30 p.m.

Things do not get any easier for ETSU on Friday as the Lady Bucs go up against Hofstra at 2:30 p.m. and meet Coastal Carolina at 5 p.m. Hofstra has won 10 straight conference titles (six with the Colonial Athletic Association and four in the America East Conference); however, Coastal has been struggling early during its first 17 games. The Lady Chanticleers have lost five straight and stand 5-12 on the season. Live stats of the ETSU/Coastal Carolina game will be available, courtesy of its athletic department by clicking the link above.

On Saturday, the Lady Bucs take on UIC in the final game of the Invitational at noon. The Flames are 3-12 and have lost nine of their last 10.

If ETSU moves out of its pool play the Lady Bucs will enter the tournament round on Sunday. Click above link for a complete tournament schedule.

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