CU Softball Preview - at Union College (4/15)

Winners of three of four games over the weekend, the Clarkson University Softball team has its eyes set on a Liberty League playoff spot in May, and the Golden Knights could take a big step forward this weekend when they face Union College in another conference doubleheader.

The Golden Knights enter the weekend at 13-11 overall and 3-1 in conference games, while the Dutchwomen are 4-12 overall and 0-2 in league games. Clarkson split a doubleheader against RIT and swept Rochester this past weekend, while Union lost two to St. Lawrence.

Usually reliant on speed and daring base running, the Golden Knights have used the long ball to score runs this year. Clarkson has blasted a league-best 15 home runs this season, led by freshman Michele Winn. The first-year catcher and designated player has hit seven home runs to top the leaderboard and she has also driven in 25 runs, the second most in the conference, while her .697 slugging percentage ranks fourth in the league. Raeanna Dunn (.282 batting average, 12 stolen bases), Summer Lancette (.356/.427/534) and Jamie Bridge (.351/.370/.416) have served as table setters for Winn and have produced plenty of offense on their own with speed to spare. Senior catcher Ali Schwenzfeier has also taken advantage of opportunities with runners on, plating 19 to go along with three home runs. In the circle, Bridge ranks second in the league in both strikeouts (56) and wins (8), posting a 3.17 earned run average in 70.2 innings pitched. Freshman Leah Allen has also pitched well in 41.1 innings, recording a 3.39 earned run average with three wins and a save.

While Clarkson has crushed 15 home runs out of the park, Union has yet to hit a home run this season and is posting a .269/.339/.319 slash line. Courtney Casey leads the team with a .383/.408/.426 line with a team-best 11 runs, while Kara Brown has 10 runs driven in with a .370/.393/.389 level of production. Laura Aptowitz is the only other hitter on the team hitting above .300, and she has a higher batting average (.356) than on-base percentage (.348). Dana Dolinko has received the majority of the innings, twirling 71.1 frames with 38 strikeouts. Kara Brown has pitched the other 30 innings for the Dutchwomen, but she has struggled with just five strikeouts against 20 walks.

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Players Mentioned

#6 Jamie Bridge: P/OF; 5' 4"; Senior; R/R

#5 Raeanna Dunn: IF; 5' 4"; Junior; L/R

#14 Summer Lancette: OF; 5' 2"; Junior; L/R

#13 Ali Schwenzfeier: UT; 5' 4"; Senior; R/R

#3 Michele Winn: C/IF; 5' 6"; Freshman; L/L

#23 Leah Allen: P/IF; 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#6 Jamie Bridge
: 5' 4"; Senior; R/R
: P/OF

#5 Raeanna Dunn
: 5' 4"; Junior; L/R
: IF

#14 Summer Lancette
: 5' 2"; Junior; L/R
: OF

#13 Ali Schwenzfeier
: 5' 4"; Senior; R/R
: UT

#3 Michele Winn
: 5' 6"; Freshman; L/L
: C/IF

#23 Leah Allen
: 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R
: P/IF