CU Softball Preview - vs. Union/at Ithaca (4/13-14)

Weather continues to alter the Clarkson University Softball schedule, as the Golden Knights' doubleheader against Union College was moved up a day and now the Green and Gold will travel to Ithaca College on Saturday to finally open up the conference slate.

Live Stats (vs. Union College)
Live Stats (at Ithaca College)

The Series: Since starting the program back in 2014, the Golden Knights have gone 4-4 against Union, including a doubleheader sweep last season (6-1, 8-4). The Dutchwomen swept the Knights in the first season, but the two teams split in both 2015 and 2016. Clarkson has never faced Ithaca College prior to Saturday's games.

Key Stats for Clarkson (5-14-1, 0-0 Liberty League): Despite an 0-for-5 showing in game two against Potsdam on Tuesday, Summer Lancette is still among the top three hitters in the Liberty League, ranking second in batting average (.471), first in on-base percentage (.533), and tied for third in slugging (.667). Kat Plescow boosted her average to .439 (fifth in the Liberty League) with a 6-for-6 effort on Tuesday, and the infielder has struck out only once in 47 plate appearances so far. Freshman Hannah Bowen ranks third in the conference in runs with 18, slashing .358/.427/.552. Sophomore Danielle Whitham enjoyed a great day against the Dutchwomen last season, going 4-for-6 with five runs driven in over the two games.

Key Stats for Union (3-11, 1-1 Liberty League): Three Dutchwomen hitters are posting solid numbers as Kendall Rogoff (.366), Stuart Buxton (.333) and Courtney Casey (.333) are hitting well in the early going. However, no other Union player is batting above .250, as the rest of the club is hitting a combined .179. Union has also allowed 28 steals on 30 attempts, which probably won't be a big issue against the Knights since Clarkson has attempted only four steals in 20 games this year. The Dutchwomen's staff generally pitches to contact, striking out a collective 34 hitters in 84.1 innings this year.

Key Stats for Ithaca (11-7, 2-2 Liberty League): One of the better offenses in the Liberty League, the Bombers are hitting .310/.378/.410 with a league-best 11 home runs. Five regulars are hitting above .300, led by Vanessa Brown, who is hitting .410/.446/.656 with league bests in home runs (3) and runs batted in (22). Brown has also swiped eight bases in nine tries. Hannah Anderson is slashing .373/.421/.608 with seven extra base hits and five steals. Ithaca's staff is posting a conference-best 6.05 strikeouts per seven innings, striking out one out of every five hitters that comes to the plate. Beth Fleming leads the team, and ranks second in the conference, in strikeouts with 44, but both Emily Holden (4-0, 1.68 ERA) and Haley Congdon (3-2, 2.75 ERA) have posted better earned run averages.

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Players Mentioned

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

#12 Danielle Whitham: OF; 5' 4"; Sophomore; L/L

#2 Hannah Bowen: IF; 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R

#4 Kat Plescow: UT; 5' 5"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

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

#12 Danielle Whitham
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; L/L
: OF

#2 Hannah Bowen
: 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R
: IF

#4 Kat Plescow
: 5' 5"; Junior; R/R
: UT