SOFTBALL OPENS SEASON AT 24TH ANNUAL LOUISIANA CLASSIC
February 12, 2010
SOFTBALL OPENS SEASON AT 24TH ANNUAL LOUISIANA CLASSIC
SMITHFIELD, RI - After winning 11 games in its inaugural Division I season, the Bryant University softball team opens action in Lafayette, Louisiana at the 24th annual Louisiana Classic on Friday, February 12. The Bulldogs will play five games on the trip including one against host institution, Louisiana-Lafayette, and two matchups against both Bradley and Syracuse University. Bryant opens action against the Ragin' Cajuns on Friday at 2:30 p.m. (CT).
The Bulldogs finished last season with an 11-31 overall record. However, Bryant did finish with a 5-5 record against Northeast Conference opponents. This season, the team will play a full Northeast Conference schedule including 20 home games as it continues its journey into the Division I level. The Bulldogs are returning 10 letterwinners, eight of which were starters last season and bringing in a freshman class of seven student-athletes. The Bulldogs are returning their top pitcher, junior captain Samantha Houseal (Mount Joy, Pa.). Houseal started 37 of the Bulldogs 42 games last season and maintained a 3.03 ERA. The junior struck out a Bryant record 180 batters and pitched 249.2 innings.
The first opponent for the Bulldogs will be the highly touted No. 23/24 Ragin' Cajuns. Louisiana Lafayette competes in the competitive Sun Belt conference. The Cajuns won the conference in 2009 and returned to the NCAA Regionals for the 11th consecutive year. La-Lafayette has made five College World Series appearances and won the Sun Belt nine times. Led by Co-Head Coach Stefni Lotief, the Cajuns have amassed a record of 452-110 since 1990.
After competing against the Ragin Cajuns, the BU softball team will take on Bradley University. Bradley is located in Peoria, Illinois. Last season, the Braves amassed a 26-28 record and finished 6th in the Missouri Valley Conference. Bradley is returning 15 letterwinners and six starters.
The final opponent for the Bulldogs will be another opponent from the North, the Syracuse Orange. The Big East affiliate is beginning its 10th season of softball and is coming off a 30-21 record from a year ago. Led by Coach Leigh Ross, his record at 'Cuse is 72-84. Last season the Orange was eliminated in the first round of the Big East Tournament. Sophomore Stephanie Watts is one of the leading returners for SU, as one of three players to start all 51 games last season. Watts hit .318 in 2009 while setting SU single-season records in steals (20), triples (5) and runs (54).
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