Posted: Apr 09, 2012

Bulldogs travel to red-hot Albany Tuesday

Bulldogs travel to red-hot Albany for two-game set Tuesday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Looking to extend its season-high three-game winning streak, the Bryant University softball team travels to America East foe UAlbany on Tuesday (April 10) afternoon for a non-conference doubleheader at Albany Field. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.

The Bulldogs (10-17, 3-3 Northeast Conference) went undefeated in all three of their matches last week, as the Black and Gold picked up a 3-2 non-conference win at Boston University on April 4 before sweeping a pair of games at Wagner College on April 7. The Great Danes (24-7, 8-1 America East) have won 11 straight games and most recently completed a three-game sweep against the University of Hartford over the weekend.

Bryant trails the all-time series, 2-4, but swept both games against the Great Danes last season in Smithfield, R.I. The Bulldogs downed UAlbany, 8-0, in the opener before sweeping the two-game set with a 5-2 win on March 29, 2011.

The defending America East tournament champions, Albany boasts one of the most loaded offenses in the region with a team batting average of .306 and a potent slugging percentage of .476 while scoring 177 runs on the season – all of which rank first in America East. During their current unbeaten streak, the Great Danes have swept league series against Hartford, Maine and UMBC while also sweeping doubleheaders against Siena and Cornell.

Infielder Charlise Castro has been a dominant force for the Great Dane offense. The sophomore leads her team – and conference – by a wide margin in batting average with a .477 clip so far this season. Castro also boasts conference-leading statistics in slugging percentage (1.023), runs scored (30), RBI (35) and home runs (11).

Four other players also own batting averages of .300 or better, as Alexa Toole has batted .370 on the year on 27 hits and 20 RBI. Junior Taylor Franich also owns impressive numbers with a .343 average with 18 runs scored and 11 RBI; rookie Vicky McFarland has gone 31-for-99 at the plate for a .313 batting average, and senior Mel Herndon rounds out the group with a solid .300 clip on 15 hits this season.

Reigning America East Pitcher of the Week Brittany MacFawn is the ace of the staff for the Great Danes, compiling a 13-3 record and 1.24 ERA through 14 starts this year. The sophomore right-hander has gone the distance on 13 occasions while striking out 130 and walking 19 in 96 and 1/3 innings pitched. Senior Brittany Schwieger is no slouch in the circle either, posting a 1.82 ERA while going 10-2 in 10 starts this year. Schwieger has struck out 84 and walked 18 in 69 and 1/3 innings.

For continuing coverage of Bryant University softball, check back online at www.bryantbulldogs.com; also follow the Bulldogs on Twitter @BryantAthletics.