| Matchup |
#24 Merrimack (11-1) // Molloy (8-8) // Caldwell (3-9) |
| Date//Time |
Sat. Mar. 17, 2018 at Molloy // Sun. Mar. 18, 2018 at Caldwell
Sat. (12/2pm) // Sun. (12/2pm) |
| Venue |
RVC Sports Complex // Rockville Centre, N.Y. //
Caldwell Field // Caldwell, N.J. |
| Multimedia |
Live Stats (Sun.) // Video (Sat.) // Live Stats (Sun.) //
Twitter // Instagram |
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. – After a successful 6-0 trip in Florida, the #24 ranked Merrimack College softball team returns to the northeast for a pair of non-conference double-headers this weekend. The Warriors return to the site of the 2017 NCAA Division II Regional games, starting with a rematch against Molloy College on Saturday March 17. Sunday's games will be against Caldwell University, a team Merrimack defeated in last seasons' NCAA Tournament. First pitch for game one of each series is scheduled for 12 p.m.
Last Time Out:
- The Navy and Gold went 6-0 at the PFX Spring Games in Florida last weekend, with five shutouts. They defeated Ferris State and Nyack, 7-0 and 8-6, on the first day.
- On day two, the Warriors defeated the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and Notre Dame (Ohio) 3-0. The final day of the trip saw a 5-0 win over Fairmont State, before wrapping up the trip against Clarion with an 8-0 victory.
'Mack Facts:
- The Warriors are ranked 24th in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches' Association (NFCA) poll.
- Senior Megan Cook leads the pitching staff with a 5-0 record, with four complete games and three shutouts. She has a 0.75 ERA, 44 strikeouts, and a pair of saves. She has only walked three hitters. Freshman Bridget Soraghan has made four appearances, with two saves and has 10 strikeouts.
- Classmates Courtney Zambello and Brooke Bogacz are both 3-0. Zambello has made three starts, while Bogacz has made two.
- Senior Alyssa Williamson leads the offense with 19 hits. She has a .514 batting average and 11 RBI's. Juniors Caitlin McBride and Emily Kurkul each have a pair of home runs, while McBride leads the team with 12 RBI's. Nicole Nanof has slashed a line of .429/.438/.475, while collecting 15 hits.
Molloy
- The Warriors are 3-3 all-time against Molloy based on available records. The two teams met in the Division II NCAA East Region finals last season, with the Lions coming out on top 10-4.
- Molloy is currently receiving votes towards the NFCA Coaches poll. The Lions advanced to the College World Series last year, after defeating Adelphi in the Super Regionals.
- The Lions enter the weekend with an 8-8 record, after coming off a pair of victories to end their trip in Florida. Jenn Turato had appeared in nine 14 games with nine starts in the circle. She has gone 5-4, posting a 2.68 ERA, striking out 40 batters in 52.1 innings. Molloy has four batters hitting above .300, with Chrissy Heyer leading the offense with a .378 average. Courtney Greene has 17 RBI's, along with 17 hits and a pair of home runs.
Caldwell
- Merrimack is 1-3 all-time against Caldwell, most recently defeating the Cougar's in the Division II NCAA East Regional's, 3-1, last season.
- The Cougars enter the weekend with a 3-9 record, after returning home with a pair of losses to wrap up their trip in Florida.
- Maya Rodridguez and Kaileen Cain have started all 12 games, batting .313 and .294, respectively.
- The duro of Jessie Johnston and Sara Bearden have each played in seven games, with six starts. Johnston is 2-5 with a 3.48 ERA in 41.1 innings. Bearden has 35 strikeouts in 38 innings pitched.
Up Next
Merrimack begins Northeast-10 conference play with a midweek double header against Northeast Division foe Bentley on Wednesday March 21. Game one is scheduled for 3 p.m.
