CU Softball Preview - at Ithaca/Union (4/27-28)

Tommy Szarka

Softball | 4/26/2023 7:32:00 PM

Rain over the weekend has moved up some games for the Clarkson University Softball team as the squad will now face Ithaca College and Union College on Thursday and Friday in a pair of conference doubleheaders.

Live Stats vs. Ithaca
Live Video vs. Ithaca
Live Stats vs. Union
Live Video vs. Union

The Series: Against Ithaca, the Golden Knights have won one time in 11 games, claiming a 3-0 victory during the 2021 season in which the two teams met four times. Versus Union, the Knights are an even 9-9 but swept the season series a year ago with 15-6 and 6-1 victories at Scott Field.

Key Stats for Clarkson (18-12, 4-4 Liberty League): The third though seventh spots are up for grabs in the Liberty League, with the Knights and Ithaca currently tied for third at 4-4 and Union tied for fifth at 3-5. Clarkson will need to continue to get more offense from the top of its lineup, but that group seems to be peaking at the right time. Bridget Twaits is not hitting .406 on the season, which ranks fifth in the conference, and her .469 on-base percentage is ninth in the league. After a strong Tuesday, Emma Sabourin is batting .376, which is 15th in the conference, and her 22 runs scored are eighth in the league. Zoey Kovach is another Clarkson hitter batting at a .370 clip with a team-best 18 runs batted in, just one better than Devin Fitzpatrick's 17 RBI.

Key Stats for Ithaca (16-9-1, 4-4 Liberty League): While the Bombers have always been more than capable at the plate, Ithaca's recent run of success has come due to its excellence in the pitching circle, and that is no different in 2023. Anna Cornell is allowing less than a base runner per inning (0.95 WHIP) and opposing hitters are batting just .181 against her. In 77 innings, she has 100 strikeouts against only 51 hits and 22 walks. Riley Piromalli has been nearly as good, with a .205 average against and 101 strikeouts in 82.2 innings, having allowed 63 hits and 34 walks. Overall, opponents are hitting just .191/.282/.280 against Ithaca hurlers. Offensively, Hudson Hassler leads the team with a .378 average, Allison Dell'Orto is reaching base at a .478 rate, and Haley Petrucci has three home runs and a .529 slugging percentage.

Key Stats for Union (11-15, 3-5 Liberty League): At the other end of the spectrum, the Dutchwomen are winning their games by outhitting the opposition. As a team, Union is raking at a clip of .320/.393/.412, thanks largely to the amazing season from Karson Saunders. Saunders leads the conference in all three slash stats, hitting .537/.600/.793 with a league best 44 hits. She also has 18 stolen bases (second in the conference) and has scored 34 runs (third). Olivia Valery is next for the Dutchwomen, batting .383/.412/.543. Union's pitching has been adequate, but opposing teams are batting .344/406/.458. Two-way player Amanda Granato is the team's top pitcher, having struck out 29 against 32 walks in 66.2 innings of work.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Bridget Twaits: IF; 5' 4"; Junior; R/R

#3 Devin Fitzpatrick: P/IF; 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R

#16 Emma Sabourin: UT; 5' 4"; Freshman; R/R

#18 Zoey Kovach: C/UT; 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#5 Bridget Twaits
: 5' 4"; Junior; R/R
: IF

#3 Devin Fitzpatrick
: 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R
: P/IF

#16 Emma Sabourin
: 5' 4"; Freshman; R/R
: UT

#18 Zoey Kovach
: 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R
: C/UT