Feb. 7, 2013
BRONX, N.Y. -
The forecast in the Northeast makes it hard to believe that spring is right around the corner, but the Fordham softball team is heading down to sunny Florida to kick off their 2013 campaign. The Rams will play five games over the next three days as part of the Dot Richardson Collegiate Invitational in Clermont, Fla.
The Rams kick off the season with a pair of games tomorrow afternoon, facing off against Chattanooga at noon before taking on fellow New York City school LIU at 2 PM.
On Day 2 of action from Clermont, Fordham will play another double slate, this time squaring off against the Salukis of Southern Illinois at 1:30 PM before playing ACC power Virginia Tech in the evening. First pitch against the Hokies, who received votes in the NFCA Preseason Poll, is slated for 6:30 PM.
The Rams will play just one game on Sunday, closing out the invitational with a 9 AM match up against Chattanooga.
A LOOK AT THE RAMS: Having graduated a ton of talent from a year ago, Fordham still manages to return seven starters as the team looks to once again reach the NCAA Tournament, a feat they accomplished in both 2010 and 2011.
In the batting order, the Rams lost two bats in the form of Lindsey Kay Bright and Nicole Callahan. Aside from those departures the Rams return a solid group, headlined by seniors Jamie LaBovick and Chelsea Palumbo. LaBovick led the team in runs and at bats a year ago, while Palumbo started all 58 games for Bridget Orchard's squad.
Possessing one of the most feared bats in the A-10 and sporting a first team all-conference selection from a year ago, sophomore Paige Ortiz looks to bring power once again to the Rams after leading the squad with 13 home runs and 40 RBIs last spring.
Junior Elise Fortier will also look to help catapult the Rams back to the front of the A-10 standings. The First Team All-Atlantic 10 selection led the Rams in doubles last year while blasting six home runs and knocking in 32 runs, good enough for third on the team.
In the circle, Fordham will face the monumental task of replacing Jen Mineau, arguably the most dominant player in program history. Looking to fill Mineau's shoes will be Michele Daubman, a Long Island native who started eight games last year for the Rams. In 13 appearances, Daubman had a 3-6 record with a 4.09 ERA last spring. Also looking to help the Rams replace Mineau will be LaBovick, who is expected to see her fair share of time on the rubber this season.
