Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Softball Heads to Greensboro for Spartan Classic
2/21/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 21, 2013
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall softball team (3-7) heads to Greensboro, N.C. to face Quinnipiac (0-0), Drexel (0-2), and tournament host, UNC Greensboro (7-1) in the Spartan Classic that will last from Saturday to Monday (Feb. 23-25).
The Thundering Herd will be charging into the UNCG Softball Stadium following an 11-6 win over Miami (Ohio) in last weekend's Georgia Tech Classic. Marshall's senior third baseman, Jazmine Valle, is looking to keep her three-game hitting streak alive.
Marshall's first contender will be Saturday at 1:00 p.m. ET against the Quinnipac Bobcats, who have yet to play this season. The Bobcats ended their 2012 season with a 32-18 record and have 10 returning players. A returning stat leader is senior shortstop Alex Alba, who had a .335 batting average, and a team-high 15 doubles and seven homers.
Sunday's doubleheader will begin at 3:00 p.m. ET against UNCG. The Spartans' pitching staff has started off the season well with a team 0.99 ERA. Redshirt-junior pitcher Raeanne Hanks (5-1) has only given up three earned runs in 38.1 innings pitched. Offensively, the Spartans have averaged a team .282 batting average with 14 doubles, one triple and five home runs.
The day will conclude with a matchup between Marshall and the Drexel Dragons at 5:30 p.m. ET. The Dragons' leaders at the plate are senior first baseman, Jenn Reading, who holds a .429 batting average and one double so far in the season. Following Reading are junior outfielder Comfort Ahonkhai and junior pitcher/outfielder Jess O'Hara, who both have two runs on the season and hold a .333 average.
The Herd will complete the Spartan Classic with a doubleheader on Monday against the Dragons at 11:00 a.m. ET, and the Spartans at 1:30 p.m. ET.
