Feb. 23, 2012
Cathedral City, California -
The Fordham softball team continues to compete with the nation's best teams and this weekend is no different as the Rams travel to Palm Springs, California, to participate in the 2012 Cathedral City Classic. Fordham will meet five opponents including current #1/3 California. Additionally, the Rams will have games against UC Davis, Long Beach State, Arizona and Fullerton. To follow the live stats click on the following links:
GameTracker UC Davis | GameTracker Long Beach State | GameTracker Cal | GameTracker Arizona| GameTracker Fullerton
Fordham enters the tournament with a 2-2 overall record with all four games coming in the Pirate Clash last weekend. The Rams recorded wins over Virginia and East Carolina while losing to both Greensboro and Virginia in a second meeting.
Offensively, two Rams hit home runs in the opening weekend, reserve infielder Jo Krasnisky hit the first round tripper of the season and newcomer Brianna Turgeon blasted a grand slam in the loss to the Cavaliers. Nicole Callahan leads the team in batting (.375) while Paige Ortiz has also gotten off to a hot start at the plate for the Rams with a .308 average, with a double and a pair of RBI.
In the circle, Jen Mineau has her senior season off to a good start, posting a 2-1 record with a 2.00 ERA and a team-best 28 strikeouts.
UC Davis enters the Cathedral City Classic with a 4-8 mark on the season with victories over Nevada, UCF, Stanford and Santa Clara. Cassandra Ginnis is off to a torrid start at the plate to the tune of a .324 average with three doubles and three runs scored. Rachel Miller leads the Aggies in home runs (2) and RBI (6) and is second in total bases.
In the circle, Justine Vela leads the team with ten appearances. She has a 2-3 record and a 3.73 ERA while leading her team with 48 strikeouts, two complete games and a save. The Aggies are 1-0 all-time against Fordham.
Long Beach State owns a 5-5 record with notable wins over Indiana and Memphis. Hannah de Gaetano was named Big West Player of the Week on Monday while Erin Jones-Wesley took home Pitcher of the Week accolades. De Gaetano leads team in home runs (2) and batting average (.387) and she is tied for the team lead in hits (12) and RBI (5).
In the circle, Jones-Wesley is 5-1 with an ERA of 1.11. She has two complete games to her credit and leads the team in strikeouts with 38.
The Golden Bears enter the tournament ranked #1/#3 and are a perfect 8-0 with wins over Syracuse and DePaul on the resume. Cal is 3-0 all-time against Fordham. The Golden Bears have four batters hitting .500 or better, led by Valerie Arioto at .625 (10-16). She also leads the team in runs scored (14), home runs (7) and RBI (18). Breana Kostreba, Victoria Jones and LaRisa Jones are all hitting an even .500.
In the circle, the ace of the Cal staff is Jolene Henderson. Henderson is 5-0 with a 2.50 ERA. She has four complete games, two of which are shutouts. Henderson also leads the staff with 30 strikeouts.
#16/15 Arizona has a record of 8-2 and has won six straight. The team boasts wins over Syracuse, UAB and Northridge. Lini Koria is the hitting star, with a .607 average, four home runs and 10 RBI. She also leads the team with 33 total bases.
In the circle, Jessica Spinger is 2-0 with a miniscule 0.72 ERA and one shutout. Shelby Babcocks leads the staff in games (7), starts (6), wins (4) and strikeouts (41).
The Rams and Titans meet for the second time after Fordham shutout Fullerton 1-0 in 2011. This year, Fullerton is 5-6 and the hitting star is Eliza Crawford, who is batting .412 with seven runs scored and three doubles.
The pitching staff is led by Desiree Ybarra who is 2-1 with a 3.11 ERA. She has three complete games and 16 strikeouts.
The Classic gets underway for the Rams on Thursday, February 23, as they face UC Davis at 4:00 PM and follow that a contest with Long Beach State at 6:30 PM.
