Ball State University Athletics
Softball Prepares For Under Armour Series In Florida
March 05, 2009 | Softball
MUNCIE, Ind. ? The Ball State softball team gets ready for the USF Under Armour Invitational in Clearwater, Fla. Friday. The first tournament of the series for Ball State begins March 6 as the Cardinals take on N.C. State at 4 p.m. The USF Under Armour Showcase, the second event of the series, is scheduled for March 13-15. The two individual events will bring the largest NCAA Division I softball tournaments in the area and will be hosted at the Eddie C. Moore Sports Complex on nine fields to accommodate the 28 teams.
Eager to get back on the field after snow cancelled the later part of the Razorback Invitational, Ball State sits at 2-5. After three hits in the Razorback Invitational, senior Allie Pennock leads the Mid-American Conference with a .500 batting average with 11 hits, four RBI and three runs. Lisa Rozanski leads the conference with a .560 on-base percentage. Jen Reifschneider is also tied for the MAC leader in home runs with three.
Scouting N.C. State
The Wolfpack (4-6) are currently on a two-game winning streak after beating Canisius 7-0 in N.C. State's Wolfpack Challenge and Siena 6-0. The team is led by junior Kristine Bechtholdt who has eight hits, including two home runs. This is the first meeting between the two teams.
Scouting Hofstra
The Pride has lost the last four games on the road for a similar record of 2-5, recently losing to No. 18 Northwestern 3-1 in the NFCA Leadoff Classic. Junior Michele DePasquale leads Hofstra with a .467 batting average. She broke the school record for longest hitting streak last year in 25 games. The all-time series stands at 1-1.
Scouting Illinois-Chicago
Junior Stephanie Chavez leads the Flames (2-11) with 14 hits and six RBI for a .359 batting average. The team won one of five games in Central Florida's Tournament, winning 5-4 over Portland State. The all-time series stands at 1-4 in favor of the Flames.
Scouting Boston
The Terriers, losing only their first game to San Jose State, have won five games in a row for a 5-1 record. The team played San Jose State and Sacramento State three games apiece. The Cardinals won the first meeting against Boston last season 6-5.
The tournament schedule is posted on South Florida's athletic Web site.
####
