April 12, 2012

Bronx, N.Y. - The Fordham softball team returns home for a weekend series with Atlantic 10 opponent, Saint Louis, beginning on Friday, April 13 at 3:00 PM and concluding on Saturday the 14th at noon. The Rams are a perfect 5-0 at the newly renovated Bahoshy Field in 2012, and they look to improve to 11-1 in the conference.

The Rams enter the series off a sweep of MAAC opponent Siena on Wednesday in Loudonville, New York. Three freshmen led the team in that series as Brianna Turgeon hit a pair of homers and drove in six, Paige Ortiz homered and classmate, Michele Daubman, earned the victory in the first game.

Offensively, the Rams are led by a senior and a couple of freshmen. Lindsey Kay Bright, the senior, enters the day leading the team in hitting (.383), on base percentage (.414) and stolen bases (six) while newcomers Paige Ortiz and Brianna Turgeon are racking up impressive numbers. Ortiz leads the Rams in home runs (10), RBI (35), total bases (78) and slugging (.561), while hitting at a .309 clip. For her part, Turgeon has six home runs, 24 RBI, a .371 on-base percentage and is tied for the team lead in stolen bases (six).

In the circle, the Rams preseason All-American Jen Mineau is currently 19-9 on the year and was named Pitcher of the Week for the third time on April 9. Last week, she picked up three wins against conference opponents, including a perfect game against Temple on April 7. Taylor Pirone and Daubman have also seen time on the rubber this year.

The Billikens enter the series with a 7-5 road record in 2012. Most recently, Saint Louis lost a pair of games to Southern Illinois at home on Wednesday. As a team, the Billikens lead the A-10 in stolen bases (64-73) and they tend to manufacture runs. Jessica Buschjost leads the conference in thefts (27-29) while Erin Harcar is third (17-20). Additionally, Buschjost is batting .331 and leads the team in hits (41), runs (19) and total bases (44). Harcar paces the Billikens in home runs (four) and triples (two) and owns a .431 slugging percentage.

In the circle, three different pitchers have all seen work. Hannah Huebbe leads the staff with 22 appearances, 10 wins, 11 complete games, 79 strikeouts and 104 innings pitched. Kelcie Matesa is 4-7 in ten starts while Julian Austin had a 3-6 record in 11 starts this season.

Following the weekend series, the Rams will travel to Long Island for a road game against local rival, Hofstra, on Tuesday. The first pitch with the Pride is scheduled for 6:00 PM.