SERIES PREVIEW: Softball vs. Ottawa University (2/4)
MULTIMEDIA COVERAGE
SOCIAL MEDIA
UD Twitter: @UDallasSports
Softball Twitter: @UDallasSoftball
Facebook: University of Dallas Athletics
Instagram: udallasathletics
FIRST PITCH
The University of Dallas softball team opens 2017 this Saturday versus Ottawa University at 12 p.m. The twinbill marks the second straight season the Crusaders have begun in Irving. UD went 21-23 last season overall, tallying a new high in wins during the spring campaign.
UD NOTES
- Dallas went 10-9 at the friendly confines in 2016.
- The current roster sits at 20 players, with 9 returners from the previous squad.
- Avery Finch (Jamul, Calif.) headlines the top of the order with a .351 batting average. She tied a single season record for hits (52) and surpassed her own record for stolen bases (36) last year. The centerfielder holds the all-time record in steals (83) entering her senior season.
- Another classmate that has etched her name in the UD record books is Katie Lee (Houston, Texas). The right-hander is the career holder in games pitched (96), innings pitched (527.2) saves (2), shutouts (11), strikeouts (252), and wins (40).
- Lee posted a 15-14 record last season in 35 appearances (24 starts). She spun a 3.12 ERA and struck out 70 through 177.1 innings.
- Allison Kotlar (Edna, Texas) boasted several personal bests in her junior year in 2016. Kotlar battled .341 and finished 2nd on the squad in base knocks (42) from returners. She added eight doubles, two triples, three home runs, and 22 RBI.
- Melanie Savala (Bryan, Texas) collected 36 hits with 10 doubles, 17 ribbies, and 20 runs scored. Stephanie Cervantes (Temecula, Calif.) clobbered three homers and posted five two-baggers to go along with 18 runs batted in. The tandem respectively batted .293 and .287 in their rookie seasons.
- The 2016 squad also achieved some team records with 20 home runs and 134 stolen bases. The double plays turned record was tied at 12.
SAAC/SCAC CHANGE FOR THE BETTER
This weekend, The University of Dallas is participating in a fundraiser for the Change for The Better foundation. Schools across the SCAC are competing with each other to see who can raise the most money, although the larger idea is to simply raise some funds for this foundation. Members of the Student Athlete Advisory committee or SAAC at UD are collecting donations to contribute to this cause. If you would like to donate, please visit the designated area near the bleachers where there is a jar that you may place any donations in. If you would like instead, the UD SAAC members have set up a Venmo account (@UDSAAC) that donations can also be made towards. Thank you for your support and Go Crusaders!!!
A LOOK AT THE BRAVES
Ottawa University is coming off a strong 34-20 season in 2016. This includes a 13-7 mark in away contests. The Braves are part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).
The Braves open the new season at Texas Wesleyan University over in Fort Worth on Friday. After the visit in Irving, the Braves will end a six-game road trip to start the docket at Avila University on February 8.
Ellena Cott-Laurie paced the offense with 56 hits, 20 doubles, 40 RBI, and a .348 batting average. She was second on the squad in home runs with four. That is one shy of the team leader Elisa Valenzuela, who also batted .298 and is the only other returner with at least 50 base knocks. Shelby Harvey and Molli Morgan are rising seniors that appeared in the circle last season. Morgan spent the majority of time with 28 appearances and 25 starts. She registered a 3.23 ERA, 14 complete games (3 shutouts), a 13-9 record, and 98 strikeouts. Harvey had a 2.96 ERA in 13 innings. Paige Williams also returns on the roster after throwing 9.1 frames in 2016.
The Braves won the lone meeting these teams had on the diamond. That contest was an 11-2 setback in 2009 at Crusader Field. In 2015, these programs were scheduled to plat in Ottawa, Kansas, late in the season but had the doubleheader cancelled.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Dallas returns to the diamond on Feb. 12 versus Hendrix College. An early cancellation was made at Hardin-Simmons on the 26th. The Crusaders are searching for makeup game. The University of Texas at Dallas travels across town on the final day of the month.