Softball hosts N.J. foes this weekend

Bulldogs host Garden State foes in conference action this weekend

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SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Looking to move above .500 in the Northeast Conference standings, the Bryant University softball team welcomes a pair of Garden State rivals to Smithfield, R.I., this weekend, as the Bulldogs face Monmouth on Saturday (April 21) before battling Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday (April 22) at the Bryant Softball Complex at Conaty Park. First pitch for both doubleheaders is set for 1 p.m.

The Bulldogs (13-21, 5-5 NEC) have gone an even 5-5 in their last 10 games, but most recently were swept on Thursday, April 19, in a doubleheader at Stony Brook University. Senior Lindsay Martin (Methuen, Mass.) hit a two-run home run and also smashed an RBI double over the course of the two-game set, while sophomore Kendall Corder (Carmichael, Calif.) went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a side-high two RBI to lead the Bulldog offense in the second game.

The Hawks (17-15, 7-5 NEC) enter the weekend having won six of their last eight games and sit in fifth place in the league standings, one position out of a playoff spot. They most recently split a non-conference doubleheader on the road against Temple after sweeping Fairleigh Dickinson in a doubleheader last Saturday.

Christine Scherr owns a team-high .388 batting average to lead the Hawks on the offensive front. The junior is the lone player to start all 32 games for the Hawks and ranks first on the club in hits (40), home runs (10) and runs scored (25). Scherr is also a threat on the base paths, going 5-for-6 in stolen bases this spring.

Also swinging a hot bat is Kaitie Schumacher, who owns a .358 batting average to compliment a team-high 22 RBI on 29 hits in 81 at-bats. Vanessa Cardoza puts up respectable numbers with a .330 batting average and 19 RBI, while Kayleena Flores (.313 average) is a speedster on the bases, going 5-for-7 in swiped bags on the year.

With a team ERA of 2.99, the Hawks rank the top half of the league in pitching with senior Lauren Sulick leading the way with a 2.70 ERA. She has gone 9-6 in 13 starts and boasts four complete games, one shutout and has struck out 47 batters in 80 and 1/3 innings of work. Alissa Schoelkopf (7-2) has posted a 2.91 ERA through 10 starts and 65 innings while striking out a team-high 54 batters over the year.

Needing just one more win to set a new single-season high in victories, the Knights (25-16, 5-9 NEC) are an even 5-5 in their last 10 games but 2-4 in their last six. They will play host to Mount St. Mary's on Saturday before making the trip to the Ocean State on Sunday afternoon.

Caitlin Bradac leads the Knights with a .413 batting average and 37 RBI. Six other players are hitting over .315 to contribute to the team batting average of .307. Megan Reiner leads the team defensively with a 2.28 ERA and 14 wins on the season.  She has struck out 120 batters in 130 and 1/3 innings pitched. 

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