April 26, 2012

Game 1 Live Stats | Game 2 Live Stats | Game 1 Video | Game 2 Video

Bronx, N.Y. - The Fordham softball team will continue to battle for the top of the Atlantic 10 standings as they face Dayton in a doubleheader on Friday, April 27, 2012, at 3:00 and 5:30 PM from the Dayton Softball Field in Dayton, Ohio. This is a schedule change from the original single games on Friday and Saturday.

The Rams enter the contest following a midweek loss to Iona, 6-2, on Tuesday. On the year, the Rams are 29-19 overall, including an impressive 13-1 mark in conference play.

Offensively, the Rams are led by a senior and a freshman. Lindsey Kay Bright enters the game leading the team in hitting (.385), on base percentage (.412) and stolen bases (seven). She is just one hit shy of becoming the fifth Fordham softball player to reach 200 career hits.

Newcomer Paige Ortiz is having an outstanding rookie season, leading the team in home runs, RBI, total bases and slugging and was named A-10 Rookie of the Week on March 26.

In the circle, the Rams preseason All-American Jen Mineau is currently 23-10 on the year and ranked second in the NCAA with 324 strikeouts. She was named Pitcher of the Week for the third time on April 9 while last weekend she picked up a pair of wins against St. Bonaventure. Taylor Pirone and Michele Daubman have also seen time on the rubber this year.

The Flyers have a balanced lineup and have four players hitting above .300, led by Brandy Brown at .356. She is also the team leader in hits, RBI, and doubles. Kathleen Maloof leads Dayton with seven home runs, but Lauren Nacke has five and three players have four each. Leah Sitter is 15-for-16 in stolen base attempts.

In the circle, four different pitchers have seen action, but the staff is led by Kayla English, who leads the Flyers in wins (9-8), starts (16), ERA (2.57), complete games (ten), saves (two) and strikeouts (111).

Last year, the teams split a Holy Saturday doubleheader in the Bronx as Fordham won the opener, 4-1, and lost the nightcap, 3-1.

Following the series with Dayton, the Fordham softball team faces local rival, Iona, in a re-match of the game that the Gaels won last Tuesday, 6-2. The matchup, in New Rochelle, is slated to begin at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, May 1.