March 23, 2012

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Bronx, N.Y. - The Atlantic 10 portion of the schedule has arrived for the Fordham softball team, who enter conference play riding a five-game winning streak. The Rams will have a chance to defend their 2011 A-10 Championship, as they open conference play with a pair of doubleheaders this weekend; first facing La Salle on Friday at 3:00 PM and then closing out the weekend with a twinbill at George Washington on Sunday at noon.

The hot bat making a huge impact for Fordham so far the season is Michele Daubman. The North Massapequa, New York native, has raised her average to a team-best, .317 and recently earned her first collegiate win in the circle, throwing a six-hit, complete game shutout against George Washington last Saturday. Daubman has 13 hits and four runs scored so far in 2012 and was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week on Monday.

The other standout at the plate is freshman Paige Ortiz. The designated player is off to a hot start this year as she leads the team in home runs (five), RBI (15) and total bases (43). She complements that with a .287 batting average and a team-best .494 slugging percentage.

In the circle, the Rams return All-American Jen Mineau for her senior season after going 24-9 last spring. She is currently 10-8 on the year with a 2.05 ERA while tossing 14 complete games and striking out 159 batters in 119.2 innings pitched. Mineau threw her eighth career no-hitter against St. John's on Tuesday.

The Explorers enter the game with Breanna DiTommaso hitting .333. She is the team leader in hits (15), runs (seven) and on-base percentage (.362). DiTommaso is second on the squad in total bases (16) and stolen bases (two). She is the only La Salle batter over the .300 mark.

In the circle, Alicia Aughton has seen the bulk of the work, appearing in 13 games. She has thrown nine complete games, boasts a 2.62 ERA and leads the staff with 32 strikeouts. Both Kristin Travers and Alyssa Bitsimis have seen time on the rubber as well for the Explorers.

The Colonials get their offensive production from four main people as Lauren Wilson leads the team in batting (.329) runs (19) and on base percentage (.463). Autumn Taylor is hitting .325 and heads the squad in home runs (seven), RBI (18) and hits (27). Chelsea Lenhart is batting .313 and has a pair of home runs, while Victoria Valos bats .307 and has three round-trippers.

In the circle, Kara Claus is the workhorse of the staff, leading the team in appearances (21), starts (16), complete games (six), shutouts (four), wins (six) and ERA (2.94). Three other pitchers have seen time on the rubber for George Washington.

Fordham and the Colonials met on St. Patrick's Day in a non-conference game at the JMU Days Inn Invitational and Fordham shutout GW, 4-0. Michele Daubman threw a complete game shutout to earn her first collegiate victory. Jamie LaBovick had a pair of hits in the game and Elise Fortier drove in three runs.

Following play this weekend, the Rams will travel to Allentown, Pennsylvania, to face Lehigh in a doubleheader on Wednesday, March 28 at 3:00 PM. Their next home game will be against Charlotte on Friday, March 30.