PREVIEW: Dallas at South Carolina Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic (3/10; DH) | (3/11; DH)
MULTIMEDIA COVERAGE
Livestats (vs. SUNY Canton only)
FIRST PITCH
The University of Dallas softball team (4-6) begins four games with two on each day through March 10-11. Opposing the Lady Crusaders and also participating in the "South Carolina Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic" include: State University of New York (SUNY) at Canton, La Roche College, Albertus Magnus College, and Cazenovia College.
Dallas, who will have played six games over the course of five days, meet SUNY Canton and La Roche at 9:30 a.m. (EST) and 11:30 a.m. (EST), respectively on Tuesday. The following day, the Navy and White conclude things at the same start times with Albertus Magnus and Cazenovia.
LAST TIME OUT
Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) action began this past weekend with the University of Dallas defeating Trinity University 7-2 in the opener of a four-game stet. The Lady Crusaders dropped a 5-2 decision in the nightcap to complete the split.
Sunday's twinbill was rained out.
In the victory, UD was able to get on the board early with a two-run first. The road squad extended the lead in the top of the sixth, with three runs. Trinity nipped the shutout bid in the bottom half of the frame with a pair of runs.
Senior Ashley Pickert (Lenexa, Kan.) led the offense combining for six hits in eight at bats overall. She garnered the only multi-hit effort in the win, driving in two to match the amount of times the second baseman crossed the plate.
In the setback, Pickert hit 1.000 with a season-high four hits, but a three-run second for the Tigers was enough to erase an early deficit and never relinquished the edge.
QUICK HITS
Her strong effort on Saturday lifted Pickert to the team-leading spot on the roster with a .417 clip. In four of the games the utility player has posted base knocks, three have been multi-hit results.
Ranked in front on the team with 13 hits is sophomore Avery Finch (Jamul, Calif.). The centerfielder is hitting .371 to match her on-base percentage. She's tied with junior Erin Begle (Houston, Texas) with eight runs scored and leads the team with 11 stolen bases in 12 tries.
Begle has notched a .355 average off of 11 hits for second on the squad, to go along with six RBI and a team-high six base on balls (BB) for the Navy and White. Seven players enter the classic on Tuesday averaging over .300 at the dish.
Senior Taylor Garcia (Plugerville, Texas) is among that group with a .323 average, 10 hits; one counting as UD's first home run of the campaign in Saturday's win, and a team-best 10 RBI.
In the circle sophomore Katie Lee (Houston, Texas) has compiled 51 innings and made nine appearances (six starts). She has allowed 28 runs (16 earned) for a 2.82 ERA, while giving up 49 hits, 10 walks, and producing 29 strikeouts.
SCOUTING SUNY CANTON
The Kangaroos (1-3) have fallen in their last three opportunities since claiming a 3-1 win in the season-opener against Medaille College. SUNY Canton dropped a rematch to them, 8-3, earlier on the day at Myrtle Beach.
Kelsey Morgan pitched in the lone win, tossing seven innings of four-hit ball. She allowed no earned runs while walking five and fanning three.
Picking up multiple hits with two apiece in the victory included: Kaleigh Foran, Rhea Coad, and Kelsey Morgan. Coad and Foran joined Kristyn Reynolds with an RBI.
SCOUTING LA ROCHE
The Redhawks (0-1) opened the 2015 campaign on Sunday night at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for day one of the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic. La Roche College was defeated by Rivier College 7-4.
Last season the Redhawks posted a 13-15 record overall and were 0-4 at neutral site venues.
SCOUTING ALBERTUS MAGNUS
The Falcons open the new spring season on Monday, March 9 with a doubleheader beginning with La Roche early in the afternoon. AMC completes the twinbill following that matchup with Cairn College around 3:30 p.m. (EST).
Albertus Magnus will play a quartet of contests before meeting Dallas on the diamond Wednesday.
SCOUTING CAZENOVIA
Another team Dallas will face has yet to begin the new campaign prior to the Spring Classic. The Wildcats began Monday morning versus University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. A second game wraps up the day for Cazenovia College with Baptist Bible College.
Dallas will be the sixth of an eight team stretch the Wildcats face in the tournament. CC plays all games over the course of four days.
ON DECK
The lengthy span doesn't end just yet for Dallas, as the first SCAC series moves through Irving, Texas. UD will host Centenary College of Louisiana on March 14-15 with two doubleheaders each day.
First pitch on the 14th is at 12 p.m., while the 15th has an 11 a.m. start time marked down. Dallas will have played 10 games in eight days.
SOCIAL MEDIA
UD Twitter: @UDallasSports
Softball Twitter: @UDallasSoftball
Facebook: University of Dallas Athletics