Game Notes • Live Stats (Alcorn-Fri) • Live Stats (Tech-Fri) • Live Stats (Alcorn-Sat) • Live Stats (Tech -Sat) • Live Stats (Tech-Sun) • Live Video-Free (Fri) • Live Video-Free (Sat) • Live Video-Free (Sun)
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – After rain washed away most of the Aces’ schedule last weekend, the University of Evansville softball team is ready to hit the road again. Marking their fourth consecutive weekend of road games, Aces are headed to Lubbock, Texas to compete in the Masked Rider Invitational, hosted by Texas Tech.
The tournament will feature five games for the Aces, three against host No. 19 Texas Tech (USA Today/NFCA Poll) as well as two against Alcorn State.
Evansville (1-11) is hoping to turn around a nine-game losing streak as they enter tournament play this weekend. The Aces suffered losses to Georgia Tech and UNC-Greensboro in the Georgia Tech Buzz Classic last weekend, as well as a loss to No. 7 Tennessee last Thursday.
The Aces enter this weekend with a .216 team batting average. The offense is led by senior Jen Stahlhut, who is hitting .343 at the plate with four doubles and seven runs batted in this season. Batting .324, leadoff batter freshman Katie Sears owns a team-high on-base percentage of .439. Sears has totaled 11 hits and seven walks on the season and has collected 14 total bases so far.
First pitch of the weekend is scheduled for Friday at 11:00 CST against Alcorn State. Fans can follow all the action this weekend by clicking the links above to view the live stats or to watch the free video streaming provided by Texas Tech. (Video streaming will only be available when UE plays Texas Tech)
Scouting the Opponents
No. 19 Texas Tech (24-0, 0-0 Big 12)
The Red Raiders enter the weekend with an unblemished 24-0 record this season. Texas Tech is led by Big 12 Player of the Week Cydney Allen, who is hitting .474 with seven home runs on the season. As a team, the Red Raiders own a .403 batting average and have totaled 29 home runs this year. Texas Tech has five pitchers to choose from on the mound, with Brittany Talley throwing a majority of the innings. Talley enters the weekend with a 2.36 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 53 innings of work. The Red Raiders are 2-0 against MVC teams in 2011, winning over Bradley and Wichita State earlier this season.
Alcorn State (6-5, 0-0 SWAC)
Alcorn State brings a 6-5 record into this weekend’s tournament. The Lady Braves are currently on a two-game losing streak after dropping games to Ole Miss and Louisiana-Monroe last weekend at the Belhaven Tournament. Alcorn State owns a .262 team batting average and is led by Brittany Crayton at the plate. Crayton has posted a .333 batting average and leads the team with 16 total bases as well as a .533 slugging percentage. Splitting time in the circle, Kasey Duncan and Deanna Rancillio have combined for a total of 18 strikeouts in 62.4 innings this season.
