March 27, 2009

Bronx, N.Y. - The Fordham softball team continues a six-game homestand with four games this weekend, starting today with a 3:00 PM match-up against La Salle. Fans can either listen to the game or follow it through GameTracker.

MATCHING UP: The Explorers are 3-11 on the season, 2-2 in conference play, after falling to St. Peter's twice on Wednesday. The team is batting .215 on the year with a 3.58 ERA.

La Salle is led by Ali Shepherd and Gina Massaro, who are tied for the team lead in batting at .267, while Angelica Bisbiglia had a team-high three doubles and four RBI.

In the circle, Massaro is the top hurler with a 1-4 record and a 1.63 ERA in 30 innings of work.

LAST TIME OUT: In what most would describe as a wild doubleheader, the Fordham softball team snapped a four-game slide with a doubleheader sweep of the Quinnipiac Bobcats at Bahoshy Field on Wednesday. In game one, Chelsea Plimpton threw a complete game two-hit shutout with four strikeouts, as Fordham topped Quinnipiac, 1-0, while in game two, Samantha Pellechio went 4-for-4 with three RBI, as the Rams won a wild affair, 11-5.

COACHING MILESTONE: Lost in the no-hitters, the perfect game, and a current seven-game win streak, head coach Bridget Orchard reached a coaching milestone on March 15th, as the 5-1 win over Seton Hall was her 250th coaching win at Fordham. She is currently in her eighth season at Rose Hill with a 253-185-1 record, and an overall coaching mark of 382-227-3 in 12 years.

NCAA LEADERS (3/22): Through games of March 22nd, the Rams rank 45th overall in home runs per game, averaging just under one per game.

Individually, freshman Jen Mineau and senior Melissa Andrews are among the national leaders. Mineau is tied for NCAA lead in saves with four, while Andrews is 17th in triples.

WE'RE GOIN' STREAKIN': The Rams batted .286 during the team's recent road trip, outscoring opponents 56-34 and having a record of 6-4... Sophomore Samantha Pellechio was the top threat on the road trip, batting .400 (12-30) with three home runs and 11 RBI... Senior Jessica Weckenman batted .308 on the road trip with four runs scored, a home run, and three RBI... Sophomore Beckah Wiggins found her swing at the plate, hitting .400 (6-15) with five RBI on the trip, while in the circle she had a 3-0 record... Freshman Lindsey Kay Bright (.345 - 10-29) and senior Mary Beth Puccio (.324 - 11-34) were also over the .300 mark for the trip... Sophomore Chelsea Plimpton pitched well on the trip, posting a 1.72 ERA and recording a complete game shutout against Longwood on March 18th.

SOFTBALL RAMS TO HAVE TV APPEARANCE ON CBS COLLEGE SPORTS: CBS College Sports has announced their 2009 college softball televised schedule, and has Fordham making its second appearance in five years. The Fordham-Massachusetts softball games on Sunday, May 3rd will be televised nationally on CBS College Sports, beginning at noon.

RUNNIN' RAMS: Much like their baseball counterparts, the softball Rams are built for speed, registering 41 stolen bases in 48 attempts this season. The team is almost halfway to their team record of 87, set in 2007.

So far two Rams are in double figures, as freshman Lindsey Kay Bright leads the charge with 15 swipes this season, while senior Melissa Andrews has 10 steals.