March 15, 2012
JMU Audio | Live Stats for all games | Tournament Notes
Harrisonburg, Va. -
The 2012 Fordham softball team will participate in the JMU Days Inn Invitational this weekend in Harrisonburg, Virginia. In the tournament, the Rams, who are 7-13 on the year, are slated to face Pittsburgh, James Madison and George Washington (in a non-conference game).
Play begins for the team with a 9:30 AM matchup on Friday, March 16, against the Panthers and continues later in the day with a 2:30 PM game against the host Dukes. On Saturday, the opponents are the Colonials at 9:30 AM and Pittsburgh again at noon. The Rams conclude play on Sunday with a single game against James Madison at 12:00 PM.
The Rams will be led into the tournament by senior right fielder, Nicole Callahan. The NFCA All Mid-Atlantic selection in 2011 is continuing her torrid play in 2012, entering the tournament with a .314 batting average, leading leads the team in hits (22), total bases (29) and doubles (7) and is second in runs scored (8).
The other standout at the plate is freshman Paige Ortiz. The designated player is off to a hot start this year, tying for the team lead in both home runs (two) and RBI (nine). She complements that with a .308 batting average and a .431 slugging percentage.
In the circle, senior All-American Jen Mineau, who ended last year with a 24-9 mark, sports a 7-7 record on the year with a 2.60 ERA while tossing eleven complete games and striking out 120 batters in 91.2 innings.
The Panthers are 11-6 so far this season and have wins over Illinois, UNLV and Ohio State on their ledger. At the plate, Pittsburgh features a pair of sluggers in Ciera Damon and Holly Stevens. Damon is hitting .323 and has a .400 on base percentage. Stevens is the team leader in hits (17) and RBI (10) and is second in home runs (two) and runs scored (nine). Also, Stevens enters the weekend batting .304. In the circle, Savannah King is the workhorse of the staff. She leads the team in wins (9-4), ERA (0.79), strikeouts (72), saves (one) and has ten complete games on the year. Alexa Larkin has also appeared in the circle in seven games.
The Dukes are 8-12 on the season and boast an extra-innings triumph over Penn State earlier in the year. Freshman outfielder Morgan Heath was named CAA Rookie of the Week on Monday. She joins teammates Sarah Mooney and Heather Kiefer in capturing that honor. At the plate, Ashley Burnham leads the team in batting at .375, home runs (six) and RBI (20). Heath is hitting .365 with 10 runs scored. Jasmine Butler, Haley Johnson and Mooney are all at .300 or better for the Dukes. In the circle, Mooney has seen the most action, appearing in 12 games. She is 3-6 with an ERA of 2.98 and leads the staff in strikeouts (39) and complete games (four). Reba DePriest and Kiefer have all seen significant time in the
circle as well.
George Washington is 4-12 on the year and have won two straight games. Autumn Taylor has been the offensive leader for the Colonials, hitting .361 and leading the team in hits (22), home runs (five), RBI (14), and total bases (43). She currently posts a .705 slugging percentage. Lauren Wilson is the only other George Washington player hitting above the .300 mark. In the circle, Kara Claus comes off an outing where she tossed a no-hitter against Mount St. Mary's. She has a 4-7 record with a 2.89 ERA and leads the team in appearances (15), complete games (five), shutouts (three) and strikeouts (54). Three other pitchers have seen time in the circle this season.
These are the final set of games before the Rams' home opener against St. John's on Tuesday, March 20, at 3:00 PM from the newly renovated Bahoshy Field.
