The University of Evansville softball team has a busy week ahead of itself starting Thursday as the Purple Aces travel to Lipscomb for a 3 p.m. doubleheader and host Eastern Illinois on Saturday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium.

The Aces currently stand at 4-6 overall this season with wins over Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky and two against Murray State. New faces have really stepped up for UE, as freshman Alicia Betancur leads the team with a .316 batting average and freshman Kendall Kautz holds a 4-0 record in the pitching circle. Junior Jen Stahlhut leads the team with nine hits while sophomore Amy Gaertner has recorded three home runs this season.

The Lady Bisons have three batters hitting .400 or more this season in Kellie Sirus, Abby Keese and Whitney Kiihnl as they stand at 18-1 and receiving votes in multiple national polls. Lipscomb is also outhitting opponents 178-50, including a 35-9 comparison in doubles. Kiihnl has also been a major factor for Lipscomb’s pitching, as she has recorded 129 strikeouts, including nine against Evansville on Sunday, and holds a 0.09 ERA and 12-0 record.

At 6-7 in 2010, Eastern Illinois is led by Kiley Holtz and Melinda Jackson offensively. Holtz leads the team with a .314 batting average, but Jackson leads the teams with eight runs, three homeruns and 12 RBI. Amber May has had the most pitching action of the Panthers with nine appearances and just over 43 innings of work. May has allowed 48 hits but has struck out 33 batters.

After Saturday’s home game with EIU, the Purple Aces travel to MTSU on Tuesday and open Missouri Valley Conference play on Wednesday at Southern Illinois.