Softball heads to PA to face RMU, SFU

Softball heads to Keystone State for two NEC matchups

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University softball team heads west to take on league-leading Robert Morris on Saturday (April 14) afternoon in an important Northeast Conference doubleheader before rounding out the weekend against fellow Keystone State opponent Saint Francis (PA) for another two-game set on Sunday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. and noon, respectively, for both games.

The Bulldogs (10-17, 3-3 NEC) have been idle for a week after both of their scheduled midweek games were canceled due to weather, as both Tuesday's doubleheader against Albany and Thursday's single game against Boston College were both rained out.

Currently atop the league with a one-game advantage over second-place Quinnipiac, the Colonials (22-16, 7-3 NEC) are an impressive 7-3 within the friendly confines of the North Athletic Complex in Moon Township, Pa., and have won five of their last seven. The Bulldogs and Colonials have split their previous four meetings, as both went 1-1 in a pair of doubleheaders over the last two seasons.

Last week, Robert Morris won 3-of-4 after splitting a doubleheader on the road against Kent State before earning a conference sweep against Saint Francis (PA) at home. Despite batting just .268 as a team, the Colonials have drilled at least one extra-base hit in 18 consecutive games, their longest such stretch in over eight years.

Senior Jaci Timko (.354 batting average, 24 runs scored, .434 on-base percentage) tied an all-time school record Saturday as her two runs scored moved her career total to 118, which equaled a mark that has stood at Robert Morris since 1994. Senior Sarah Capp has boasted one of the team's hottest bats as of late, tallying a three-hit game against four of RMU's last five opponents. She leads the team at the dish with a .381 batting average to compliment also-side-high statistics in home runs (6), RBI (31) and slugging percentage (.575).

Freshman Nicole Sleith notched a season-high 12 strikeouts while shutting down the opposing Kent State bats in a 4-1 victory last Wednesday, and on the year she stands at 16-9 with a 1.95 ERA. Sleigh has struck out an impressive 152 batters while allowing only 40 walks in 154 innings pitched.

Both Capp and Sleith combined to sweep the three weekly awards from the conference this week, as Capp was tabbed the NEC Player of the Week while Sleith earned both the Pitcher and Rookie of the Week awards.

On Sunday, the Bulldogs turn their sights to the Red Flash (14-18, 4-6 NEC), who have dropped their last six games in a row, four of them in the NEC. Bryant has never lost to Saint Francis since playing a Division I schedule, sweeping both conference doubleheaders over the last two seasons.

Junior infielder Taylor Darneille leads SFU with a .362 batting average on 17 hits and has also gone yard twice this season. Behind her, senior Kaitlin Andler is the lone other Saint Francis player to bat over .300 (.306) while garnering four doubles, two homers and 11 RBI on the year.

In the circle, the Red Flash are led by sophomore hurler Brooke Koch. In 10 starts, Koch has gone 6-3 with a team-best 2.04 ERA while striking out 39 and walking 38 in 62 and 2/3 innings. Senior Megan Layne has started nine games and sports a 2.55 ERA and a 4-7 record, while rookie Chelsea Rex has tossed a side-high 82 innings and has struck out a team-most 47 batters on the year while owning a 3.33 ERA.

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