Softball wraps up 2012 this weekend

Bulldogs wrap up 2012 campaign with CCSU, FDU this weekend

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SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Looking to make one final push in the Northeast Conference standings in the final weekend of the regular season, the Bryant University softball team will conclude its final season of Division I reclassification this weekend, as the Bulldogs welcome Fairleigh Dickinson and Central Connecticut State for back-to-back doubleheaders to be played on Saturday, May 5, and Sunday, May 6, respectively. Start time for both days is set for 1 p.m.

Entering the weekend with an overall record of 18-23, including a 9-7 mark in league play, the Bulldogs will look to reach their preseason goal of finishing the 2012 campaign with a record that would have qualified for a spot in the four-team Northeast Conference Tournament had the team been able to participate. Due to reclassification rules, the Bulldogs have been ineligible for postseason competition in each of the last three seasons.

With at least three victories, the Bulldogs will finish in fourth place after owning the head-to-head criteria over a Monmouth, a team that the Bulldogs swept earlier this season. Depending on how Quinnipiac and LIU Brooklyn perform, the Bulldogs could finish as high as second place. Along with Monmouth, Robert Morris, Quinnipiac and LIU Brooklyn will each compete in the NEC Tournament next weekend in Moon Township, Pa.

On Sunday, the program will pay homage to its three seniors - Laura Bowen (Hudson, Mass.), Lindsay Martin (Methuen, Mass.) and Lauren McCart (Voorhees, N.J.) - who have played an instrumental role during its transition to Division I over the past four years. Fans are encouraged to remain in attendance at the conclusion of the doubleheader between Bryant and CCSU in a special postgame ceremony that will begin immediately after the games end on the field.

After splitting a four-game set in Connecticut last weekend, the Bulldogs are well rested for the final two days of the 2012 season. Leading the team on offense, freshman Madeline Velasquez (Los Angeles, Calif.) enters her final weekend of her rookie season batting .371 on 39 hits, 16 RBI and a team-high 12 doubles. Behind her, sophomore Aubrey Mable (Aurora, Colo.) will look to conclude her second full season with the Black and Gold on a high note, owning a .359 average on a team-best 42 hits, nine doubles, two triples and seven homers while driving in a side-high 25 batters on the year.

Already establishing a new single-season high for victories, FDU head to Smithfield, R.I., with a 30-18 overall record on the season with a 7-11 mark in NEC action.

Caitlin Bradac leads the Knights with a .401 batting average and 39 RBI. Six other players are hitting over .310 to contribute to the team batting average of .305. Megan Reiner leads the Knights defensively with a 2.16 ERA and 18 wins on the season.  She has struck out 147 batters in 154.1 innings pitched. 

The Knights have maintained a team ERA of 3.43, while holding opponents to a .260 average. Offensively, the Knights have out-scored opponents, 217-158 in 46 games. 

Entering the weekend having tied a previous single-season high in victories after sweeping Holy Cross on Tuesday, the Blue Devils (29-19, 10-9 NEC) need just one victory on Sunday to raise the bar they initially set last season to reach the 30-win mark. CCSU has won four straight since suffering a three-game losing streak that ultimately cost itself a chance at a postseason berth.

Senior outfielder Rebecca Mussatti is one of five players batting over .300, posting a .357 average in 39 starts thanks to 40 hits, seven doubles, six triples and 22 RBI. Her 14 stolen bases and .448 on-base percentage are best on the team. Behind her, junior Nicole Springer boasts the most power with a team-high 10 homers, 43 RBI and 41 hits while batting .306.

In the circle, rookie Laura Messina has shouldered the majority of the load for the Blue Devils, surpassing 200 innings on the year while going 21-11 with a 2.58 ERA. The freshman has started in 31 games and has tossed seven shutouts in 212 2/3 innings while striking out a staggering 199 batters and walking only 32.

The Bulldogs own a 4-2 mark against both the Knights and Blue Devils in six previous meetings.

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