April 16, 2009

By: Bryce Weymouth, Sports Information Assistant

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Thursday, April 16, 2009) - The Redhawks softball team will look to extend their current two-game win streak as they close out their five-game home stand. The Redhawks will host conference rival, Austin Peay, for a three-game weekend series at the Southeast Softball Complex. First pitch for game one is at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, with game two starting 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. The series finale will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 19.

Rockstar will be giving away free energy drinks during the doubleheader on Saturday. Fans are encouraged to dress like a rock star, as the best dressed will win a special prize.

LAST TIME OUT

The Redhawks (15-19, 4-8 OVC) swept Saint Louis University in a mid-week doubleheader on Wednesday night to extend their winning streak to three games. The Redhawks took game one, 5-4, in eight innings. Renee Kertz led the offense as she drove in three runs and collected two hits. Giana Zimmerman pitched a complete game, allowing only four hits, while striking out eight Billiken batters.

The Redhawks exploded for 12 hits and nine runs in game two of the doubleheader. Elise Sperakos reached base safely in all four of her plate appearances, as she collected three RBI’s on three hits and a base on balls. Whitney Dupuis collected the win as she pitched 3.2 innings of relief.

SCOUTING THE REDHAWKS

Nicole Troncoso leads the Redhawks with a .346 batting average, which places her seventh 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 13 RBI’s and 26 hits.

In the circle, Zimmerman leads the pitching staff with a 9-8 record and 2.96 ERA. She has struck out 102 batters in 106.1 innings this season, while throwing 12 complete games. Zimmerman’s 102 strikeouts is the sixth most in the OVC.

SCOUTING THE LADY GOVS

Daniella Hooper leads the Lady Govs (12-29, 2-11 OVC) with a .291 batting average and 18 RBI’s. Brittany Williams is a threat on the base paths as she has recorded eight stolen bases in nine attempts. The Lady Govs as a team are tied for fifth in the OVC with 29 stolen bases.

Abby Mabry leads the way for the Lady Govs pitching staff with a 5-8 record. Mabry has posted a 2.59 earned run average and has struck out 50 batters. As a team the Lady Govs have walked 84 batters and lead the OVC with 32 wild pitches.

SERIES HISTORY

The Redhawks have dominated the all-time series as they have compiled a 51-12 record against the Lady Govs. Last season the Redhawks took two of three games on the road against Austin Peay. Jennifer Vasquez collected five hits and two RBI’s during the three-game series.