University of Massachusets Athletics
Softball Hosts Rhode Island In A-10 Action Tuesday
April 14, 2008 | Softball
April 14, 2008
AMHERST, MASS. - The Massachusetts softball team (25-11, 12-0 A-10) will close out its seven-game home stretch with a conference double-header against Rhode Island (13-25, 3-9 A-10) Tuesday at UMass Softball Complex. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. EST. The Minutewomen are currently on a 15-game win streak and a 28-game A-10 Conference win streak.
BROADCAST INFO
Both games against Rhode Island will be broadcast on live video streaming through UMass Athletics All-Access at UMassathletics.com with Matt Goldstein covering the play-by-play.
LIVE STATS
Live stats are available for all game's this season through GameTracker at www.UMassathletics.com
SCOUTING RHODE ISLAND
•Rhode Island holds an overall record of 13-25 and is 3-9 in the Atlantic 10 after splitting the double-header with St. Joe's, 4-9 and 2-1 on Sunday.
•Rhode Island returns seven starters from a year ago where they finished the 2007 season with a 10-35 record, 3-14 in the A-10.
•The pitching staff is led by Jill Anderson who has a 8-15 record with a 4.46 ERA. Anderson leads the team in strikeouts (58) and innings pitched (141.1
•The Rams are hitting .214 as a team, led by sophomore first baseman Leah Dibussolo (.354 average, 2 home runs, 25 RBI)
SERIES STUFF
UMAss owns a 76-13 lead in the all-time series over Rhode Island. Under coach Sortino, the Minutewomen are 71-12 all-time versus Rhode Island.
MOLLICA AND BALSCHMITER GARNER A-10 WEEKLY AWARDS
The Atlantic 10 Conference announced Monday that junior infielder Whitney Mollica has been named the Atlantic 10 Softball Player of the Week. The A-10 also announced that junior pitcher Brandice Balschmiter has been named the Atlantic 10 Softball Co-Pitcher of the Week along with St. Bonaventure pitcher Sherri Thompson. For Balschmiter, the honor was her sixth of the season, fifth consecutive weekly award, and 19th career Pitcher of the Week honoree.
In five games played last week, the Minutewomen went 5-0, outscoring their opponents 32-1. Mollica finished the week going 6-for-13 with one home run and nine RBIs, including a 2-for-3 performance with four RBIs against Temple in game one of a double header against the Owls. Mollica is now batting .314 with three home runs and 20 RBIs.
Balschmiter finished the week with a 4-0 record in three starts and one relief appearance. She gave up only five hits, allowed no runs and struck out 33 batters. Balschmiter is now 17-6 on the season with a 0.67 ERA and 194 total strikeouts.
SOFTBALL TO HOLD 2008 FANFEST AND SENIOR DAY ON APRIL 20
The University of Massachusetts softball team will conduct its first-ever Fanfest in conjunction with Senior Day on Sunday, April 20, when the Minutewomen host Dayton in their final weekend home game at UMass Softball Complex. The doubleheader begins at 12 noon at the UMass Softball Complex. The Senior Day barbeque will take place following the second game of the double-header. Those wanting to partake in the BBQ are to R.S.V.P by 12 p.m. on Friday, April 18 at 413-545-9588.
