Game Notes (PDF)
 
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – After wrapping up its four-game series with UT-El Paso, the University of Evansville softball team (4-6) continues its eight-game road trip this weekend, traveling from El Paso to Auburn, Ala., for the 2012 War Eagle Classic. The Aces are slated to compete against Louisiana Tech, No. 19 Auburn, Drexel and George Washington during the four-game invitational. UE’s first game is scheduled for Friday at 8:00 p.m. against Louisiana Tech.
 
The Aces are coming off a 1-3 showing against the UTEP Miners in their mid-week series. Freshman Kayla Fortner recorded a breakout week at the plate, hitting .615 with eight hits, nine RBI, a double, a triple and a pair of home runs against the Miners. The High Ridge, Mo., native currently leads the MVC in batting average (.516), slugging percentage (.839), and on base percentage (.595) and stands in fourth place with 12 runs batted in.
 
As a team, UE brings a .296 batting average into this weekend’s tournament, averaging 6.3 runs and 8.2 hits per game. Nine UE batters have combined for a total of 16 doubles on the season, with sophomore Niki Rahming and junior Alicia Betancur leading the pack with three two-baggers each.
 
In the circle, junior Kendall Kautz (1-0) owns a team-best 2.38 ERA with a .234 opposing batting average in 17.2 innings of work. In her 27.2 innings on the mound, junior Sarah Patterson (2-4) leads the staff with 24 strikeouts and two complete game appearances.
 
Live stats for the entire weekend can be found on the softball home page at www.auburntigers.com. Video streaming for Saturday’s game against host Auburn will also be available for a subscription fee.
 
Complete Schedule (Central Time):
Fri 3/9 UE vs. Louisiana Tech, 8:00 p.m. Click for live stats.
Sat 3/10 UE at #19 Auburn, 12:30 p.m. Click for live stats. Click to sign up for live video.
Sat 3/10 UE vs. Drexel, 3:00 p.m. Click for live stats.
Sun 3/11 UE vs. George Washington 9:00 a.m. Click for live stats.
 
 
Scouting the Opponents:
Louisiana Tech Techsters (10-11, 0-0 WAC)
Louisiana Tech enters the weekend with a 10-11 record, with five of their losses coming to teams ranked or receiving votes in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25 Coaches Poll.
 
Tech owns a .247 team batting average with 25 doubles and 11 home runs on the season. Katelynn Hill leads the team with five home runs so far, hitting .333 at the plate with 13 RBI.
 
In the circle, Michelle Jones has seen the most time this season, compiling a 2.40 ERA with team-high 24 strikeouts in 55.1 innings of work.
 
No. 19 Auburn Tigers (16-3, 0-0 SEC)
Ranked 19th in the ESPN/USA Today poll, host Auburn brings a 16-3 record into this weekend’s invitational. Opening the season 15-0, the Tigers suffered all three losses last weekend at the Citrus Classic in Orlando, Fla., falling to No. 16 Michigan (4-0), No. 24 North Carolina (1-0) and Penn State (3-2).
 
The Tigers are hitting .324 on the season with 20 team home runs. Morgan Estell leads the team with a .432 average, tallying 19 hits and a team-high 17 runs scored. Caitlin Jordan and Elizabeth Eisterhold are batting .396 and .364, respectively, and have each knocked out four home runs on the year.
 
In the circle, the Tigers utilize a three-arm staff, with all three pitchers seeing nearly equal time on the mound. The trio owns a team ERA of 1.06 with Lauren Schmalz leading with a miniscule 0.50 ERA as well as a team-high 60 strikeouts in 41.2 innings of work.
 
Drexel Dragons (3-8, 0-0 CAA)
The Drexel Dragons have opened the season with a 3-8 record, with all three wins coming against Rider.
 
The Dragons are hitting .232 at the plate with three hitters combining for a team total of five home runs. Hanna Parrish leads the lineup, hitting .316 with 12 hits and 17 total bases. Paige Collings leads the team with eight RBI and a .433 slugging percentage.
 
In the circle, Hillary Allen and Shelby Taylor split time as the Dragons’ ace, each tossing 25.0 innings so far. Taylor leads the team with 16 strikeouts while Allen has posted a team-best 4.32 ERA.
 
George Washington Colonials (3-9, 0-0 Atlantic 10)
With a 3-9 record, the Colonials are most recently coming off a three-game winning streak, posting wins over Robert Morris, Siena and Towson last week.
 
Hitting .229 as a team, George Washington’s lineup is carried by Autumn Taylor, who owns a .425 batting average, tallying five of the team’s seven home runs as well as a team-best 13 RBI. Lauren Wilson ranks second on the team with a .286 average and the Colonials’ other two home runs.
 
Kara Clauss has seen a majority of the time in the circle, tossing 27 strikeouts in 47.1 innings so far with an ERA of 3.55.