April 13, 2009

By: Bryce Weymouth, Sports Information Assistant

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Monday, April 13, 2009) - The Redhawks softball team returns home this week after dropping two of three this weekend on the road in Martin, Tennessee. The Redhawks host the non-conference foe, Saint Louis University, for a mid-week doubleheader, Wednesday April 15, at the Southeast Softball Complex. First pitch for game one is at 3:00 p.m. with game two starting 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.

LAST TIME OUT

The Redhawks (13-19, 4-8 OVC) concluded their weekend road trip with a 4-3 victory over UT Martin, to snap an 11 game losing streak. The Redhawks outhit the Skyhawks, nine to five, in game one of the three game series, but they struggled to drive in many runs as they dropped the series opener, 2-1. Giana Zimmerman struck out nine Skyhawks over six and a third innings, while allowing only five hits.

The Skyhawks busted a two-two tie wide open in the third inning of game two, as they scored five runs in the inning. Shelby Stein went 4-7 at the plate during the twinbill sweep.

The Redhawks were able to break their losing streak Sunday, as they bounced back from an early deficit to defeat the Skyhawks, 4-3. Alex Ramirez went 2-4 and drove in two runs to lead the Redhawks offensively. Zimmerman pitched a complete game four hitter, while allowing three runs.

SCOUTING THE REDHAWKS

Nicole Troncoso leads the Redhawks with a .361 batting average, which places her fourth in the Ohio Valley Conference. Ramirez leads the team with four homeruns and 15 RBI's. Leadoff batter, Elise Sperakos, leads the team with 16 runs and has compiled 10 RBI's and 22 hits.

Zimmerman leads the pitching staff with an 8-8 record and 3.06 ERA. She has struck out 94 batters in 98.1 innings this season, while throwing 11 complete games.

SCOUTING THE BILLIKENS

The Billikens have dropped three of their last four games entering Tuesday's doubleheader with Eastern Illinois. Three Billikens are batting over .300 entering Tuesday's doubleheader, led by Katie Johns, who is batting .346. Nicki Jost leads the team with 24 RBI's.

Kelcie Matesa leads the Billikens in wins with a 5-7 record. She also leads the team with 63 strikeouts in 86 innings pitched.

SERIES HISTORY

Southeast leads the all-time series with the Billikens, 56-11. The Redhawks have won six straight dating back to the 2006 season.  The Redhawks defeated the Billikens earlier this season in the All-Missouri Breast Cancer Awareness Tournament, 1-0.  Stefanie Barnes threw a complete game, four hit shut-out. Zimmerman drove in the lone run for the Redhawks with a solo homerun in the bottom of the sixth inning.  Renee Kertz and Nicole Troncoso led the Redhawks with two hits each.