Tuesday, April 28, 2009

CULLOWHEE, N.C. (April 28, 2009) - The ETSU softball team wraps up its six-game road swing on Wednesday evening when the Lady Bucs take on SoCon foe Western Carolina. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 5 p.m. inside the Catamount Softball Complex.

The Lady Bucs are looking to split this six-game swing, which began Friday evening at Mercer. ETSU lost three of its four games down in Georgia, and now look to pick up some positive energy before heading into the Atlantic Sun Tournament.

ETSU (25-24) has been led at the plate by the one-two punch of Cheniece Cason (Moreno Valley, Calif.) and Katy Jett (Talbott, Tenn.). Cason, who is hitting team-high .340, has hit safely in 19 of her last 24 games and has raised her average from .279 to .340 during that stretch. Meanwhile, Jett has raised her average 28 points (.327) over the last six games thanks to her impressive 10-for-19 (.526) showing. Fellow junior right-hander Marissa Hardy (Rocklin, Calif.) has been the ace of the Lady Buccaneer pitching staff and ranks seventh in the conference with a 1.71 ERA. Hardy tossed her sixth shutout of the season in the 1-0 win over Kennesaw State last Saturday, which set a new single-season ETSU record. Hardy has allowed one run or less in 13 of her 25 starts this year, but has only been given 2.6 runs of support in those games.

Western Carolina (11-31) has lost six straight and 13 of its last 15 games. Like the Lady Bucs, Western Carolina's offense has been limited over the last four games - scoring one run in the last 26 innings - where ETSU has plated three runs in the last 28 innings.

The Catamounts have been led sophomore infielder Amber Hawkins - who is hitting a team best .356 - but has not played in the last four games for Western Carolina. However, senior designated player Mollie Fowler is hitting .355 with nine doubles, seven home runs and 28 RBIs.

Fans unable to make the trip to Cullowhee can access live stats by visiting http://www.catamountsports.com/ or by clicking the link above.

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