May 3, 2013
BRONX, N.Y. -
Having already clinched a spot in the Atlantic 10 Tournament, the Rams enter their final weekend of the regular season in a crucial battle for positioning, opening a two game series with the first place Saint Joe's Hawks on Friday afternoon.
The Rams currently sit in a tie for third place in the Atlantic 10 standings with a 13-5 record in conference, while Saint Joe's enters Friday's game with a 14-4 mark. GW is in second with a 12-4 conference record, while Temple's 13-5 mark ties them with Fordham.
The top two seeds in the Atlantic 10 tournament earn a bye to the second day of play.
SCOUTING SAINT JOE'S: Saint Joe's success this season has coming largely on the play of their pitching staff, specifically the efforts of star hurler Taryn Ashway. The 5'11" senior from Waynesboro, Pa., has been outstanding for the Hawks, compiling a 25-3 record in 34 appearances with 15 complete games and an ERA of just 1.49. This season, Ashway has struck out 162 opposing batters while allowing only 33 walks.
On offense, freshman Sarah Yoos anchors the Hawks with a team-best .386 average. The Warrington, Pa., product leads the teams in several other categories including doubles (8), RBI's (31), slugging percentage (.574) and on-base percentage (.523).
In addition to Yoos, two other Hawks are hitting well above the .300 mark. Sophomore Nicole Palase of Staten Island checks in at a .339 clip, while senior Dana Parks is hitting .361.
RECORD BREAKING RAMS: The 2013 Fordham Rams have done more than shatter expectations this season; they `ve done a commendable job at assaulting the Fordham and Atlantic 10 record books.
It started with a hitting streak from Jamie LaBovick, as the senior from Peoria, Ariz., reached safely in 28 consecutive games, smashing the school record and giving LaBovick the longest such streak in Atlantic 10 softball history.
Next, it was Elise Fortier's turn. The junior shortstop from Coventry, R.I., entered last Saturday's game against St. Bonaventure with 15 home runs on the year, needing only one more to tie the school record set by Erin Fisher in 2010 and Jocelyn Dearborn in 2011. Fortier had no problem accomplishing that feat, blasting three shots over the wall in one game to give her 18 on the year, just one goner shy of tying the Atlantic 10 record. Fortier tied a school record as well with her accomplishment, joining Beckah Wiggins as the only Rams in school history to hit three home runs in one game.
