EMORY'S KIM BANDY NAMED LOUISVILLE SLUGGER/NFCA SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICAN

2009 Division III All-America Team

(May 15) - Emory University senior Kim Bandy (Duluth, GA) has been named to the 2009 Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III All-America Team.

Bandy, the starting first baseman for the 24th-ranked Eagles, was selected as a second-team All-American.  This season, Bandy helped Emory to an overall record of 32-12 and the program's fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament bid.

Just one of two players to start all 44 games in 2009, Bandy finished third on the team and sixth among University Athletic Association players with a.401 batting average. She tied for first on the squad and second among UAA performers with a slugging percentage of .667, good for an eighth-place tie on the school's seasonal chart. The owner of 18 multi-hit contests this year, she tied for the team's lead with 59 safeties and topped all Eagles with seven triples, tying the school's third-highest seasonal total, and smacked five homers, second on the club.

Career-wise, Bandy ranks prominently in numerous school categories including first in home runs (14), total bases (335) and stolen bases (60).   A starter in 171 of the 172 contests she played in at Emory, her .396 career hitting average is good for the sixth place on the school's list and she holds down the No. 3 spot in hits (212), is second in triples (20) and third in doubles (41).

Earlier in the season, Bandy was picked as a first-team honoree to both the All-Atlantic Region and the All-University Athletic Association Teams.

She becomes the fifth Emory player in program history to earn All-America acclaim, joining Tamara Boggs (2001 & 2003), Mary Nicol (2003), Emily Sunshine (2006) and Ali Braverman (2007).

EMORY SOFTBALL PLACES FOUR ON ALL-REGION TEAM

(May 12) - The Emory University softball team has placed a total of four players on the Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association's All-Atlantic Region Team. 

Highlighting the Emory honorees are senior Kim Bandy (Duluth, GA) and junior Cassie Walsh (Palm City, FL), who garnered first-team berths.  Bandy enjoyed a banner 2009 season, finishing No. 3 on the team and No. 6 among UAA players with a . 401 hitting average.  She tied for the team lead with 59 hits and topped the squad and the UAA with 42 RBIs, good for seventh place on the school's seasonal ladder. Her team-high seven triples tied for the No. 3 spot on the school's seasonal chart and she wound up with a team-leading 20 stolen bases.  Bandy was second on the club with 18 multi-hit contests and enjoyed three outings of four safeties.

Walsh, Emory's center fielder, earned her third All-Region honor and second to the first team with her selection this year as an at-large pick. Walsh finished the season No. 1 on the team and No. 3 among UAA players in hitting with a .424 average. A First-Team All-UAA pick  for the third straight campaign, she recorded 56 hits, the second-highest total on the squad, and was third with 30 runs scored.  Walsh was second on the team in stolen bases and was successful on all 15 of her base-stealing attempts. She totaled 16 multi-hit contests, third highest on the team.

The Eagles landed two players on the third team including senior pitcher Shanon Andersen (Sahuarita, AZ), freshman outfielder Jessica Thomas (Springfield, VA).

Andersen finished the campaign with a won-lost effort of 17-9 with her 34 appearances on the mound tying for the top spot on Emory's seasonal ladder.  A Second Team pick to the All-UAA Team, opponents ended the year hitting a paltry .168 against her.  Her ERA of 1.03 led the UAA and ranked fifth on the school's seasonal chart.  Andersen fanned a season-high 12 batters on three occasions including against the College of New Jersey (Mar. 8) in a 5-0 victory. Her average of 8.87 strikeouts per game (7 inn.) is second on Emory's seasonal list.  

Thomas made an immediate impact on the squad her rookie season,  ranking No. 2
on the team and No. 4 among UAA players with a .418 batting average. Named UAA Rookie of the Year, she tied for the team lead and the No. 2 spot in the UAA with a .667 slugging percentage.  Thomas slapped out a team and conference-leading 15 doubles.  She blasted a team-high six home runs and chalked up multi-hit games.  Her 59 hits tied for the team high and she came through with nine multi-RBI games. 

EMORY SOFTBALL SEASON COMES TO AN END WITH NCAA LOSS TO SALISBURY UNIVERSITY


(May 10) - The Emory University softball team saw its 2009 campaign come to an end on Sunday afternoon following an 8-0 loss to Salisbury University in NCAA Tournament play.  The setback was the second for the 24th-ranked Eagles in the double-elimination event and closed out the squad's record at 32-12.  The host Sea Gulls, the No. 1 seed in the regional and ranked 11th nationally, eventually earned a spot at the Division III national championships later on in the day when they topped Bridgewater College.

Salisbury jumped to a 3-0 advantage in the bottom of the third inning thanks to a three-run homer by catcher Lauren  Brenneman.  The Sea Gulls closed out the game with a five-run burst in the bottom of the fifth with Brenneman and Stacey Malarkey coming through with run-producing doubles in the uprising.

Emory senior pitcher Shanon Andersen suffered the loss, leaving her record at 17-9.  Career-wise, she finished fourth on the school's all-time list with 38 career victories while her 445 strikeouts stand first.

Freshman left fielder Jessica Thomas picked up two of the team's five hits and finished the year second on the squad in hitting with a .418 average, second only to Cassie Walsh's .424.  Thomas tied senior Kim Bandy for the team lead with 59 hits and her 15 doubles paced the team and placed her fifth on the school's seasonal ladder.

EMORY SOFTBALL DROPS EXTRA-INNING NCAA AFFAIR TO BRIDGEWATER - ANDERSEN SETS EMORY CAREER STRIKEOUT RECORD.

(May 9) - A two-out single in the top of the 11th inning by Bridgewater's Hillary Rees scored pinch runner Kristen Combs and gave the Eagles a 2-1 win over Emory Saturday in NCAA Tournament action.  The loss was Emory's first at the Salisbury Regional and dropped its overall record to 32-11.  With the win, Bridgewater stays alive in the double-elimination tourney and boosts its mark to 36-10.

After seeing Bridgewater strike first in the top of the sixth, Emory bounced back to tie the game in the bottom of the frame when a ground out by Kelsey Floyd scored Kim Bandy. Emory had a chance to end the game in the 10th inning with senior Liz White on third base with two out, but it could not push across the go-ahead run. White accounted for three of the team's six hits while junior Caitlin Fitzgerald picked up a pair of safeties.

Emory senior pitcher Shanon Andersen was saddled with the loss though she pitched well, tossing eight innings of relief and allowing just one run and three hits while striking out 11.  In the process, she became the school's all-time leader in strikeouts and has 441 to her credit.  She entered the game tied with Kathy Gordon for the top spot on the school's all-time ladder with 430.

Emory, host Salisbury and Bridgewater all have one loss in and the schedule for tomorrow (Sunday) is as follows

Game 12: Emory vs. Salisbury, 12 pm
Game 13: Game 12 winner vs. Bridgewater, 2 pm

EMORY SOFTBALL TOPS LaGRANGE IN NCAA OPENER


(May 7) - Emory freshman Jessica Thomas came through with a one-out single in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring pinch runner Jenna Lamoreaux and giving the Eagles a 1-0 win over LaGrange College in the opening game of the NCAA Regional in Salisbury, Maryland. The victory boosted emory's record to 31-10 while LaGrange slipped to 25-20.

Thomas, who was named the University Athletic Association Rookie of the Year earlier this week, recorded three of the team's eight hits while senior first baseman Kim Bandy accounted for a pair of safeties. Senior pitcher Shanon Andersen picked up the win, tossing a two-hit complete-game gem and fanning 10 batters, the seventh time this year that she had posted double figures in that department. Andersen now has 424 career strikeouts to her credit, second on the school's all-time list behind Kathy Gordon's mark of 430.

Emory scoring opportunities throughout the game and left a total of eight runners on base. The Eagles had a golden opportunity to score the game's first run in the bottom of the sixth when they had runners on first and third with nobody out but were stymied in their attempt. Meanwhile, Andersen kept the LaGrange bats in check all day, allowing just one runner as far as second base in raising her record to 17-7 on the campaign.

The Eagles return to action on Friday (May 8 when they play Neumann College in a noon start.

 SIX EMORY SOFTBALL PLAYERS NAB ALL-UAA HONORS

(May 6) - Six members of the 2009 Emory University softball squad have been selected to the All-University Athletic Association Team.  The all-league honorees were chosen by the conference coaches based on their entire play this season. 

The Eagles of Head Coach Penny Siqueiros placed four players on the All-UAA First Team and two on the second team.  Senior first baseman Kim Bandy (Duluth, GA) and junior center fielder Cassie Walsh (Palm City, FL) each landed their third consecutive first-team nods while senior outfielder Alyson Moler (Purcellville, VA) and junior Caitlin Fitzgerald (Warren, NJ) brought home first-team acclaim for the first time in their careers.

Senior pitcher Shanon Andersen (Sahuarita, AZ) and senior designated player Carey Smith-Marchi (San Francisco, CA) were second-team honorees with Andersen's selection representing her initial all-conference honor and the second for Smith-Marchi.

Heading into this weekend's NCAA Tournament play, Walsh paces the squad and stands No. 2 in the UAA in hitting with a .438 average.  She is tied for the top spot on the team with 53 hits and has totaled 15 multi-hit contests this year.  Walsh has been solid in the field as well, handling all 33 of her chances without a miscue in 2009.   She has been successful on all 15 of her stolen base attempts this year and ranks as the school's all-time leader in that category with 51 thefts.

Bandy once again has proven herself to be one of the UAA's most formidable hitters with her .398 average at the plate placing her third on the team and seventh on the conference ladder. Tied for the Eagles' top spot in both hits (53) and runs scored (31),  Bandy has pounded out a team-best seven triples,  good for a third-place tie on the school's single-season list, and driven in a league-leading 38 runs.

Moler, just one of two players to have started all 40 Emory games this season (Bandy is the other), posts a .331 average, good for 13th place among UAA players, and is tied for second on the squad with 10 doubles is fourth in runs scored with 28.   She has come through with a dozen multi-hit performances and has hit a career-high four home runs.

Fitzgerald, a starter in 32 of the 33 contests she has seen action in, is hitting at a fine .341 clip which is fifth on the team and 11th in the conference.  She has compiled eight multi-hit games, four of which came at the UAA Tournament (Mar. 10-14) where she hit .400 with 10 hits in 25 trips to the plate.  Fitzgerald has been rock-solid defensively at her second base post where she has successfully handled 101 of 103 chances (.981).

The owner of a 16-7 won-lost mark on the mound, Andersen leads the UAA with an ERA of 0.81.  She has fanned 10 or more batters on six occasions and has 184 strikeouts, second on Emory's seasonal chart, to her credit in 146 2/3 innings. She has completed 11 of her 20 starts this season.  Career-wise, she is tied for fourth at Emory with 37 career wins and her 414 strikeouts is second only to Kathy Gordon's first-place mark of 430.

Smith-Marchi, a first-team pick in 2008, continues to be a thorn in the side of opposing pitchers, claiming a .328 hitting average along with 32 runs batted in, good for third place on the team.  Tied for second among Emory players with four homers, she is second in triples.  Smith-Marchi's eight multi-RBI outings in third on the team and she has four contests of three or more RBIs. 

Thomas has given the Emory offense a huge lift her rookie campaign as she heads into the weekend hitting .416, good for the No. 4 position on the UAA ladder. She tops the squad in doubles with 13, tied for fifth on the school's seasonal listing, home runs with five and her .656 slugging percentage is the best on the team and third among UAA performers.  A starter in 37 of 38 games this year, she is tied with Kim Bandy for the team lead with 16 multi-hit games. She is the sixth Emory player to be named UAA Rookie of the Year.

Emory, 30-10 on the year, opens NCAA regional play on Thursday (May 7) against LaGrange College in Salisbury, Maryland.

EMORY SOFTBALL GEARS UP FOR NCAA TOURNEY ACTION

(May 4) - TOURNEY FACTS - The Emory softball team makes it fourth straight and eighth trip to the NCAA Tournament in the 11-year history of the program on Thursday when it battles LaGrange in an opening-round game. Emory is one of 59 teams in the field looking to take home the national crown and part of a seven-team regional that will be hosted by Salisbury University.
Emory drew the No. 3 seed while the Panthers enter as the No. 6 seed.  It will mark the second straight season that the two teams have met in a regional opener.  The Eagles and Panthers met in the 2008 Regional hosted by Methodist with LaGrange prevailing in that contest by a 2-1 margin.

Other teams comprising the regional include No. 2-seed, Salisbury, No. 1-seed Lynchburg College, fourth-seed Bridgewater (Va.) College, fifth-seed Christopher Newport University and seventh-seed Neumann College.      

Other first-round battles will see host Salisbury (34-4), ranked ninth nationally, taking on Neumann (30-10) on Thursday.  Lynchburg (37-6-1), ranked 10th in the country and winners of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, is making its third straight appearance (third overall) and receives a bye.  Bridgewater (33-9) battles USA South champions Christopher Newport (35-7). This is a double-elimination tournament so each team is guaranteed at least two games.     

THE COACHES - Emory is led by 11th-year Head Coach Penny Siqueiros (Florida State, '92).  Entering this week's action, Siqueiros claims a school and career record of 343-115.  During her tenure at Emory, she has guided the program to eight seasons of 30 or more wins.  In her seven previous visits to the NCAA Tournament, which includes World Series trips in 2002, 2003 and 2007, Siqueiros has compiled a NCAA Tournament record of 24-15.

Jennifer Claybrook (LaGrange) is in her seventh season as LaGrange head coach.  During her tenure with the Panthers, she has compiled a 180-128 won-lost ledger.

In her 13th season leading the Salisbury University program is Margie Knight (Lynchburg, '79).  Heading into the tournament, Knight has a school and career record of 479-116-2.  She has guided the program to the national championship round on five occasions.

Serving as head coach of Neumann College for the past six seasons is Bill Saar who posts a school and career effort of 146-88.

The Lady Captains of Christopher Newport University are coached by Keith Parr  (Christopher Newport, '99).  In six seasons, Parr has manufactured a 185-69-1 record. 

Donnie Fulk is in his 18th year as the head coach of the Bridgewater College program.  During his distinguished tenure with the Eagles, he has chalked up a won-lost effort of 454-245.

Dawn Simmons directs the fortunes of the Lynchburg College program.  Simmons, who is in her 11th campaign, checks in with a won-lost effort of 319-141-2.

RECORDS - The Eagles take an overall record of 30-10 into the NCAA Tournament.  Emory will be playing its first games since April 21 when it swept a doubleheader against Spelmann College, winning the opener by a 9-1 margin (6 inn.) before notching a 9-0 (5 inn.) victory in the nightcap.

LaGrange College lays claim to a 25-19 record prior to its encounter with Emory.  The Panthers earned their bid to the NCAA Tournament by capturing the Great South Athletic Conference Tournament for the third straight season.

Salisbury has won its last 30 games and stands 34-4.  In their most recent outing, Salisbury took both games of a doubleheader against Washington (MD) by 14-0 and 7-1 scores. 

Neumann College, a member of the Colonial States Athletic Conference, enters the postseason with a fine 30-10 record.

Christopher Newport, champions of the USA South Conference, registers a 35-7 record.  The Captains are ranked 19th nationally and are making their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Bridgewater College, an at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament and member of the ODAC, sports a record of 33-9.

Lynchburg landed an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament following its championship performance in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Tournament.  The Hornets stand 37-6-1 heading into the postseason.

SERIES RECORDS - Emory and LaGrange have met 42 times with the Eagles showing an all-time mark of 34-8 against the Panthers.  Emory has won three of four meetings between the schools this season.

In a series that has its origins in 2001, Emory has won three of four meetings against Salisbury.  The teams last met in the 2007 NCAA Regionals with the Eagles topping the Sea Gulls, 5-4, in nine innings.

Emory owns a win in the only series game against Christopher Newport with that triumph coming last year at the NCAA Regional in Fayetteville, NC, 4-3 in eight innings.

Emory stands 5-0 all-time against Bridgewater College.  The Eagles swept a doubleheader earlier this season by 1-0 and 5-2 decisions.  The two programs have collided once in NCAA Tournament action with Emory notching a 6-0 victory in 2002

Lynchburg enjoys a 7-4 edge in the all-time series with Emory.  The Hornets have won the last three contests including a doubleheader sweep earlier this year (2-1, 5-0).  The Eagles have a 2-0 mark against Lynchburg in NCAA Tournament play with those wins coming in the 2007 Regional.

If Emory meets Neumann College, will be the initial meeting in softball between the schools.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Emory - (Cassie Walsh, Jr., CF, .438, 53 Hits,  15 SB)
(Jessica Thomas, Fr., LF, .416, 13 2B, 5 HR, 37 RBI)
(Kim Bandy, Sr., 1B, .398, 10 2B, 7 3B,  3 HR, 38 RBIs)
(Caitlin Fitzgerald, Jr., 2B, .341, 8 2B, 1 HR)
(Alyson Moler, Sr., OF, .331, 10 2B, 4 HR, 23 RBI)
(Carey Smith-Marchi, Sr., 1B/DP, .328, 4 2B, 4 3B, 4 HR, 32 RBIs)
(Shanon Andersen, Sr., P, 16-7, 0.94 ERA, 30GS, 20CG, 146.2IP, 184Ks)

LaGrange - (Katie Hein, So., P/OF, .323, 5 2B, 22 RBIs)
(Holly Hazelwood, Jr., OF, .455, 10 SB)
(Katie Ison, So., OF, .373, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 13 SB)
(Valeree Williams, Jr., IF, .350, 12 2B,  20 RBIs)
(Kristen Woodard, So., P, 10-1, 2.28 ERA, 23GS, 10CG, 86 IP, 32Ks)

Lynchburg - (Tara Campbell, Sr., 1B, .387, 9 HR, 40 RBI)
(Brittany Allsop, Sr., OF, .377, 5 2B, 3 HR, 20 RBI)
(Lauren Duguay (Jr., OF, .366, 7 2B, 6 HR)
(Audra Della Rosa, Jr., OF, .333, 4 2B)
(Katie Bruce, So., P, 20-1, 1.77 ERA, 19GS, 13CG, 134.1IP, 108 Ks)

Christopher Newport -- (Taylor Morgan, Jr., 1B, . 460, 12 2B, 27 RBI)
(Ashley Mani, So., OF, .414, 7 2B, 5 HR, 32 RBI)
(Kristin Nickloy, Jr., IF/OF, .392, 3 2B, 31 RBI)
(Jessie Atkinson, So., 3B, .376, 9 2B, 14 HR, 44 RBI)
(Kristen Rowe, Jr., P, 20-2, 2.14 ERA, 19GS, 12CG, 124.1IP, 120 Ks)

Salisbury University - (Meaghan O'Gara, Sr., OF, .430, 13 2B, 6 HR, 37 RBI) 
(Lauren Brennemen, Jr., C, .420, 11 2B, 9 HR, 41 RBI)
(Kelly Waskewicz, Jr., IF, .415, 14 2B, 9 Hr, 34 RBI)
(Stacy Davis, Sr., P, .20-1, 1.27 ERA, 20GS, 15GC, 121.1IP, 112Ks)

Neumann College - (Lauren Strack, So., IF, .387, 7 2B, 15 RBI)
(Angela Sebasto, Sr., P, .381, 13 2B, 28 RBI; 18-3, 128.1IP, 1.58 ERA )
(Caitlin Hanrahan, Sr., C, .368, 13 2B, 5 HR)
(Jennifer Goslin, Jr., 1B, .362, 5 2B, 11 HR

Bridgewater College - (Emily Morris, So., IF, .404, 7 2B, 4 HR, 37 RBI)
Kaitlyn Bowman (Sr., OF, .376, 9 2B,  31 RBI)
Lauren Childress (So., IF, .373, 7 2B, 30 RBI)
Hillary Rees (Fr., IF, .362, 13 2B)
Ashley Gills (Jr., P, 1.04 ERA, 14GS, 11GC, 101IP, 100 Ks)

EMORY SOFTBALL SWEEPS DOUBLEHEADER AGAINST SPELMAN


(Apr. 21) - The Emory softball team closed out the home portion of the regular season this afternoon with a sweep of a doubleheader against Spelman College.  The Eagles ran their record to 30-10 following 9-1 (6 inn.) and 9-0 (5 inn.) victories over the Jaguars.

Junior outfielder Cassie Walsh enjoyed a big day, going a combined seven-of-eight at the plate in the two contests while scoring four times and knocking in a pair of runs. Walsh went four-for-four, scored twice and stole three bases in the opener as the Eagles unleashed a 14-hit attack.  Emory scored three times in its half of the first inning with senior Alyson Moler's two-run double and run-producing single by freshman Zara Louy, one of her three hits, the key blows.   
After the Eagles scored twice in the second inning and once in the third, it pushed another run across in the fourth frame when a two-out single by senior Carey Smith-Marchi scored Moler.  The Eagles then closed out the game in the sixth with Moler scoring the final run on a wild pitch.  Senior pitcher Shanon Andersen notched her 16th win in 23 decisions, tossing the first four innings and striking out eight while surrendering just two hits.

In the nightcap, Walsh rapped out three more hits while freshman Jen Haag and senior Kim Bandy each chipped in a pair of safeties to spark a 12-hit attack.  Emory held a 3-0 advantage after the first two innings and exploded for a six-run third that began with a leadoff home run by Moler, her fourth of the campaign. Haag doubled in a run in the inning while Bandy drove in a pair with a single.  Bandy finished the game with three RBIs and now has 38 this year, good for a ninth-place tie on the school's seasonal chart.

Emory will now wait as to its possible participation in NCAA Tournament action.  Regional play will be held May 7-10 or May 7-11.

EMORY SOFTBALL DROPS DOUBLEHEADER TO LYNCHBURG

(Apr. 11) - The Emory softball team saw its four-game winning streak snapped today as it dropped both games of a doubleheader at No. 22-ranked Lynchburg College.  The Eagles now stand 28-10 overall following 2-1 and 5-0 setbacks to the Hornets who upped their overall ledger to 26-5.

In game one, Emory outhit the hosts by a 7-4 margin but couldn't take advantage of numerous scoring opportunities, finishing the contest with nine runners stranded on base.  After the Hornets scored in their half of the first, they added another run in the third frame on the strength of a solo homer by Katie Bruce.  The Eagles scored their lone run in the top sixth when a two-out, bases loaded single by freshman outfielder Jessica Thomas scored Zara Louy.  However, on that play, Emory's attempt to tie the game was stymied when a runner was thrown out at the plate.  Senior pitcher Shanon Andersen was saddled with the loss, despite tossing a solid game that saw her allow just four hits and striking out 12.  Lynchburg's Barbara Miles picked up the mound after going the distance and fanning three.

In the finale, the Eagles once again outhit the Hornets, this time by a 7-3 margin, but stranded nine runners in being blanked for the third time this season. Lynchburg used a five-run uprising in the third to account for all the game's scoring en route to the win.  Emory freshman Kelsey Floyd paced the team's hitting attack by going 3-for-3 at the plate.  Andersen started in the circle for Emory and picked up the loss despite striking out 10 Hornets.  Andersen's 22 strikeouts on the day boosted her career total to 406, enabling her to become just the second player in school history to crack the 400-strikeout plateau.  Andersen stands second on the Eagles' all-time list in the category behind only Kathy Gordon's (2005-08) No. 1 mark of 430.

Emory returns to action on Tuesday, Apr. 14, when it hosts a doubleheader against Young Harris.

EMORY SOFTBALL SWEEPS DOUBLEHEADER AGAINST BRIDGEWATER COLLEGE


(Apr. 10) - The Emory softball team ran its win streak to four games today following a sweep of a doubleheader against Bridgewater College.  The Eagles captured the first game by a 1-0 margin before posting a 5-2 victory in the second.  The two wins boost Emory's record to 28-8 while Bridgewater fell to 23-5.  The games were played at Lynchburg College.

In the opening contest, Emory recorded the game's lone run in the top of the seventh when a single by junior Cassie Walsh scored Nikki Perez.  Freshman pitcher Bridget Holloway earned the win in relief, tossing 5 2/3 innings and striking out six.

Holloway also picked up the win in game two, hurling a complete game and fanning 11 while surrendering just six hits.  Freshman outfielder Jessica Thomas got the Eagles off on the right foot when she homered to lead off the game.  The blast was the team's 21st of the season, tying the school's seasonal record.  Walsh contributed a pair of hits in the win.

Emory returns to action tomorrow (Apr. 11) when it takes on No. 22-ranked Lynchburg in a twinbill which is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m.

EMORY SOFTBALL TO PLAY DOUBLEHEADERS AT LYNCHBURG COLLEGE

(Apr. 9)- GAME FACTS - The 2009 Emory softball team takes to the road this week with a pair of doubleheaders on tap.  The Eagles venture to Lynchburg College where it will play a Friday twinbill against Bridgewater College starting at noon before taking on the nationally ranked Hornets of Lynchburg on Saturday beginning at 1:00 p.m.

THE COACHES - Emory is led by 11th-year Head Coach Penny Siqueiros (Florida State, '92).  Entering Friday's action, Siqueiros claims a school and career record of 339-111.  During her tenure at Emory, she has guided the program to seven seasons of 30 or more wins.  Last year, she directed the Eagles to a 29-12 mark that included the program's seventh appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Donnie Fulk is in his 18th season as the head coach at Bridgewater College.  Entering the doubleheader against Emory, he has compiled a school and career record of 444-239.

In her 11th campaign as the head coach at Lynchburg College is Dawn Simmons (Lynchburg, 1997).  During her stint with the Hornets, she has chalked up a school and career ledger of 306-139-1.

RECORDS - The Eagles stand 26-8 after going 2-2 last week, dropping both games of a doubleheader to Reinhardt College on Saturday (Apr. 4) before bouncing back to sweep a twinbill against LaGrange College on Sunday.

Bridgewater College takes a 23-3 effort into Friday's contest.  The Eagles have captured their last four contests and are coming off 6-0, 6-1 victories against Virginia Wesleyan last Sunday.

Lynchburg College, ranked No. 22 nationally among Division III programs, sports a classy won-lost slate of 24-5.  In their most recent action, the Hornets came away with 8-1 and 11-3 decisions over Randolph-Macon on Tuesday.  

SERIES RECORDS - Emory holds a 3-0 edge in the all-time series against Bridgewater College.  The teams last meet in March of 2004 with Emory notching a 3-0 victory.

Emory stands 6-1 all-time against Lynchburg College.  Last season, the teams split a pair of games at the Greensboro College Invitational with the Eagles winning by a 2-1 count while the Hornets recorded a 5-4 victory.

NOTES - Emory takes a UAA-leading .338 team batting average into the Bridgewater College doubleheader ... Emory rapped out 16 hits in a game-one 9-2 victory over LaGrange on Sunday, the third highest total this season ... Through games played Apr. 8, the Eagles also paced the UAA with a team ERA of 1.20 ... Emory has blasted 20 home runs, second on the school's seasonal list and just one shy of tying the top mark of 21 set in 2007 ... Senior Kim Bandy leads the team and stands third among UAA players with a .425 batting average ... Bandy leads the squad with 15 multi-hit contests and is tied for first with freshman Jessica Thomas with nine multi-RBI outings ... Bandy was honored as UAA Player of the Week following her big four-games effort, the second time this season and fourth time in her career that she was bestowed that award ... Bandy has hits to her credit in 13 of her last 15 contests ...Emory is 9-0 in games when it has homered ... The Eagles have outscored the opposition by a 214-67 margin including 47-10 in the third inning ... Emory owns a 14-0 record when leading after six innings of action, 1-7 when trailing ... In games where they score first, the Eagles show an 18-2 record ... Senior Alyson Moler claims the team's longest current hitting streak at 10 games ... During that stretch, Moler is swatting the ball at a .515 clip with 17 hits in 33 trips to the plate including four doubles, two triples and two homers ... Moler's hot hitting has upped her season average to .356, good for ninth place on the UAA chart ... Of the team's 27 total hits in the doubleheader win over LaGrange, 12 were doubles, three were triples and two were home runs ... Senior Shanon Andersen's 35 career victories on the mound places her fifth all-time at Emory ... Andersen's 379 career strikeouts is good for the No. 2 position on Emory's career chart ... Junior Cassie Walsh is second on the team and ranks fourth among UAA players with a .420 batting average ... Walsh has hit safely in 12 of her last 13 contests ... Freshman Jessica Thomas stands No. 5 in the league in hitting (.414) and has driven in a team-high 35 runs this year.

EMORY SOFTBALL SWEEPS DOUBLEHEADER WITH LaGRANGE

(Apr. 5) - A day after dropping a pair of games to Reinhardt College, the No. 20 Emory softball team bounced back to claim a Senior Day twin killing of LaGrange College.  The Eagles raised their record to 26-8 following 9-2 and 8-1 wins over the Panthers who slumped to 7-17.

Emory pounded out 16 hits in the opening game with eight being of the extra-base variety.  The Eagles slapped out six doubles, a triple and homer in the contest and were sparked by the senior tandem of Kim Bandy and Carey Smith-Marchi.  Bandy went 4-for-4 at the plate with one RBI while Smith-Marchi picked up three hits in four plate appearances along with 4 RBIs.  Emory got out the gate quickly in the first inning, pushing four runs across the plate after two were out. Bandy got things rolling with a triple and then scored on the first of two doubles by Smith-Marchi.  Freshman Jess Boni knocked in Smith-Marchi while senior Amanda Kerns chipped in two RBIs with a double.  The Eagles tacked on a pair of runs in the second inning thanks to a two-out two-bagger by Smith-Marchi that scored junior Cassie Walsh and Bandy.  Emory added another run in the third when freshman Jen Haag homered.   Senior Shanon Andersen got the win on the mound, going five innings and allowing a pair of runs and striking out three.

The Eagles' hitting onslaught continued in the second game as they totaled eight extra-base hits in their total of 11.  Emory held a 3-1 lead before breaking the game wide open with a five-run fifth inning with the key blows being a two-run double by freshman Jessica Thomas and a solo homer by freshman Kelsey Floyd. Floyd's blast was the team's 20th of the year, just one shy of tying the school record of 21 set during the 2007 season.  Bandy contributed three hits in the win, enabling her to post a 7-for-7 combined day.  Andersen picked up the win, tossing five innings and striking out six.

Emory returns to action in Friday, Apr. 10, when it plays a doubleheader at Bridgewater College.

EMORY SOFTBALL DROPS DOUBLEHEADER TO REINHARDT COLLEGE

(Apr. 4) - The Emory softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader to Reinhardt College on Saturday, losing the first contest by a 3-2 margin before coming out on the short end of a 2-1  decision in the second outing.  The two setbacks left Emory's overall record at 24-8 while the Lady Eagles boosted their mark to 20-12.

In the opener, Emory raced out to a 1-0 lead in its half of the first as an infield single by senior Alyson Moler scored junior Cassie Walsh from third base.  Reinhardt then bounced back to score all of its runs in the second frame, capitalizing on three hits and a pair of Emory errors.  The Eagles cut the gap in half in the third as Moler once again drove in Walsh.  However, that was all the scoring the Eagles would do for the rest of the game.  

The second game saw both teams have scoring opportunities, combining for 15 hits while leaving a total of 16 runners stranded on base.  The Lady Eagles scored a pair of runs in the top of third to take a 2-0 lead.  Reinhardt held that margin until Emory pushed a run across in the sixth when a double by freshman Jessica Boni scored junior Caitlin Fitzgerald.  Walsh and senior Kim Bandy each picked up two hits for the Eagles in the contest.

Emory returns to action on Sunday (Apr. 5) when it hosts LaGrange College in a twinbill.

EMORY SOFTBALL GEARS UP FOR BIG HOMESTAND

GAME FACTS - The 2009 Emory softball team looks forward to returning to its home venue of Cooper Field this week as the Eagles host three doubleheaders.  On Thursday (Apr. 2) Covenant College comes to town with the first game starting at 2:00 p.m.  Next up on the docket is a Saturday double dip against Reinhardt College with the first pitch slated for 1:00 p.m.  The Eagles close out the six-game homestand on Sunday (Apr. 5) with a doubleheader against LaGrange College starting at 1:30 p.m.  Sunday's action against the Panthers will be Senior Day with the program recognizing the contributions of this year's six-member senior class of Shanon Andersen, Kim Bandy, Amanda Kerns, Alyson Moler, Carey Smith-Marchi and Liz White.

THE COACHES - Emory is led by 11th-year Head Coach Penny Siqueiros (Florida State, '92).  Entering this weekend's action, Siqueiros claims a school and career record of 337-111.  During her tenure at Emory, she has guided the program to seven seasons of 30 or more wins.  Last year, she directed the Eagles to a 29-12 mark that included the program's seventh appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Sara Russell is the head coach at Covenant College.

Glen Crawford (Union College (KY), 2003) is in his second campaign as the head coach at Reinhardt College. 

Calling the shots for LaGrange College is seventh-year head coach Jennifer Claybrook (LaGrange).  Through games played March 30, Claybrook had a school and career won-lost mark of 160-124.

RECORDS - The Eagles, ranked No. 4 among Division III teams in the Mar. 25 NFCA Poll, stand 24-6. In its most recent action, Emory split a doubleheader at LaGrange College on Monday, dropping a 2-1, eight-inning decision in the opener, before claiming a 9-5 victory in the nightcap.   Thursday's doubleheader against Covenant College will be the squad's first home action since Feb. 22.

The Scots of Covenant College will bring an overall record of 10-8 into Thursday's games against Emory.  Covenant last played on Mar. 25 when it topped Sewanee College by an 11-2 margin. 

Reinhardt stands 18-12 following a sweep of a home doubleheader against Emmanuel where it captured 5-4 and 8-4 victories.

LaGrange College currently owns a 5-15 won-lost mark.  The Panthers face twinbills against Agnes Scott (Apr. 1) and Wesleyan (Apr. 3) before taking on Emory.

SERIES RECORDS - The meetings with Covenant College and Reinhardt College will represent the initial meetings in softball. 

Emory holds a 32-8 edge in the all-time series against LaGrange that started in 2000. In games played on its home field, Emory stands 16-2 against the Panthers. NOTES - Emory takes a UAA-leading .333 team batting average into the Covenant College doubleheader ... Through games played Mar. 30, the Eagles also paced the UAA with a team ERA of 1.22 ... Emory has blasted 18 home runs, second on the school's seasonal list ... The Eagles have outscored the opposition by a 194-59 margin including 45-8 in the third inning ... Emory owns a 12-0 record when leading after six innings of action, 1-5 when trailing ... In games where they score first, the Eagles show a 17-1 record ... Junior Cassie Walsh leads the team and ranks second among UAA players with a .435 batting average ... Walsh has hit safely in eight of her last nine contests ... Freshman Jessica Thomas ranks No. 3 in the league in hitting (.423) and is tops on the squad with 14 multi-hit games ... Senior Alyson Moler claims the team's longest current hitting streak at six games ... During that six-game stretch, Moler is swatting the ball at a .579 clip with 11 hits in 19 trips to the plate including three doubles, a triple and two homers ... Senior Kim Bandy has six triples to her credit this year, tying for fifth place on the school's all-time seasonal ladder ... Bandy has hits to her credit in nine of her last 11 contests ... Her three RBIs in the 9-5 win over LaGrange on Monday evening marked her team-best ninth game of two or more RBIs in a game this season ... Senior Shanon Andersen's 33 career victories on the mound places her fifth all-time at Emory ... Andersen's 359 career strikeouts is good for the No. 3 position on Emory's career chart.

EMORY SOFTBALL SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER WITH LaGRANGE

(Mar. 30) -  Senior Kim Bandy rapped out two hits and drove in three runs and freshman Jess Boni collected three hits and scored two runs in helping the No. 4-ranked Emory softball to a 9-5 win in the second game and a split of a doubleheader against LaGrange College Monday evening.  LaGrange captured the first game, 2-1, in eight innings.  The split leaves the Eagles' record at 24-6 while the Panthers stand 5-15.

Emory scored a pair of runs in the second, third and fourth innings to take a 6-0 lead.  Senior Liz White's double knocked in Boni and then came around to score on a single by freshman Kelsey Floyd.  The Eagles upped their lead to 4-0 in the third inning when Bandy socked a two-run home run.  Bandy added her third ribbie the following frame when her double scored freshman Jessica Thomas.  LaGrange came roaring back in its half of the fourth with a five-run uprising that was eventually stymied when Shanon Andersen came on in relief of starter Kelsey Floyd.  Emory added two runs in the fifth and one in the seventh to close out the game's scoring.  Floyd earned the win on the mound, tossing 4 2/3 innings while Andersen picked up the save.

In the opening game, Katie Hein of LaGrange and Andersen hooked up in a pitching duel that two saw the two hurlers allow a total of eight hits between them.  The Panthers broke a 1-1 deadlock in the bottom of the eighth when, with one out, Hein reached first base following an Emory error. The Panthers then loaded the bases on back-to-back walks to Valaree Williams and Kristi Underwood.  Jennifer Knight then gave LaGrange the win when she delivered a single on a 1-0 pitch that scored Hein. Hein picked up the win, allowing just three hits and striking out two while Andersen was saddled with the loss, allowing five safeties and fanning seven.  Senior Alyson Moler picked up two of the team's three hits with a triple and double.

Emory returns to action on Thursday, Apr. 2, when it entertains Covenant College in a doubleheader.

EMORY SOFTBALL PLACES THREE ON ALL-UAA TOURNAMENT TEAM

(Mar. 23) -  Senior Kim Bandy, junior Cassie Walsh and freshman Jessica Thomas were among the 16 players selected to the All-University Athletic Association (UAA) Tournament Team, based on their performance during the conference tournament, Mar. 10-14.

Bandy split time as the squad's first baseman and designated hitter and ended the tourney hitting .320 with eight hits in 25 plate appearances.  She tied for the team lead and tied for second among UAA players with nine RBIs.  Five of her eight safeties were extra-base hits including two home runs, two doubles and one triple.  One of Bandy's round trippers was a grand slam that sparked an eight-run ninth inning in a 9-1 win over the University of Rochester.  Bandy came through with a three-run blast later on in the tournament in a 6-2 victory over Brandeis.  Bandy also chalked up four stolen bases.  This is Bandy's fourth All-UAA honor during her career.

Thomas led the team and tied for second among conference players in hitting, finishing with a red-hot average of .458.  The rookie left fielder paced the team and tied for fourth in the tournament with 11 hits while her nine RBIs tied for second.  Thomas went 3-for-3 with a triple and homer in sparking the Eagles to a 17-0 win over Case Western on the final day of action.  She had hits in six games including three outings of two or more safeties.

Walsh played in seven games and finished with a .400 average with eight hits in 20 trips to the plate.  She slapped out a pair of hits in two the Rochester games and managed to steal a pair of bases.

This season marks the first year that the UAA will name both an all-tournament team and an All-UAA team at the end of the season.  This is in contrast to past years, where the UAA named a first and second team, in addition to a conference most valuable player and rookie of the year, based solely on the results of the conference tournament. 

Emory finished the UAA Tournament tied for second place with a 5-3 record. The No. 7-ranked Eagles return to action on Thursday, March 26, when they play a doubleheader at LaGrange College.

EMORY SOFTBALL SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER AT MARYVILLE

(Mar. 22)- The No. 7-ranked Emory softball team split a doubleheader against Maryville College on Sunday in the final day of the Maryville College Classic. The Eagles dropped the opener, 2-1, before bouncing back to claim an 8-3 victory in the second contest. Emory now stands at 23-5 on the year.

In the opener, junior Cassie Walsh picked up two of the team's seven hits. Senior Shanon Andersen pitched a strong game for Emory but was saddled with the loss. Andersen tossed six innings and allowed just four hits while striking out seven.

Maryville got on the board in its half of the first inning when Lindsy Little led off with a double and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Emory tied the game in the top of the third when freshman Jessica Thomas and Walsh worked a double steal that scored Thomas from third. The Scots broke the deadlock in the fifth when Angela Dillard led off the frame with a double and scored on a one-out single off the bat of Chastity Smith. Maryville pitcher Katie Beckham picked up the complete-game win.

In the nightcap, senior Alyson Moler highlighted a 10-hit attack with a pair of safeties and four RBIs, including a three-run homer in the first inning that got the Eagles rolling. Thomas and Walsh each accounted for two hits as did senior Kim Bandy. Moler registered her other RBI in the third inning when she walked with the bases loaded.

Freshman Bridget Holloway and Andersen combined for a six hitter with Holloway earning the win and Andersen the save.

Emory returns to action on March 26 with a doubleheader at LaGrange College.

EMORY SOFTBALL PLAYS AT MARYVILLE CLASSIC

(Mar. 18) - GAME FACTS - The 2009 Emory softball team continues its season this Saturday and Sunday (Mar. 21-22) when it takes part in the Maryville College Classic.  The Eagles will take on Spaulding University (11:30 a.m.) and Baldwin-Wallace (1:30 p.m.) on the first day of action before playing host Maryville twice on Sunday with the first game slated for a 1:30 p.m. start.

THE COACHES - Emory is led by 11th-year Head Coach Penny Siqueiros (Florida State, '92).  Entering this weekend's action, Siqueiros claims a school and career record of 333-109.  During her tenure at Emory, she has guided the program to seven seasons of 30 or more wins.  Last year, she directed the Eagles to a 29-12 mark that included the program's seventh appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Art Williams is the head coach at Spaulding University.

Tom Spencer (Bowling Green, 1984) is in his second stint as the head coach at Baldwin-Wallace.  Spencer directed the program (2000-2002) and returned to the Yellowjackets in 2007-08.  He posts a five-year school record of 94-78.

Calling the shots for Maryville College is seventh-year head coach Danny Fish (Tennesse Wesleyan, 2001).  Heading into a Mar. 19 contest against LaGrange College, Fish owns a school record of 143-109

RECORDS - The Eagles head into the Maryville College Classic with an overall record of 20-4.  Emory held down the No. 6 spot in the Mar. 11 NFCA Top 25 Poll. In its most recent action, Emory finished with a 5-3 record and tied for second place at the UAA Tournament, Mar. 10-14, in Altamonte Springs, Fla.

Spaulding University has a 2-4 ledger through six games.  The Golden Eagles were to play St. Mary of the Woods College in a doubleheader on Mar. 18 before meeting Emory.

Baldwin-Wallace checks into the Classic with a 7-3 mark.  In the Yellowjackets' last action, they defeated Dubuque (11-10) and Bethany Lutheran (17-3) on Mar. 12.

Maryville College will take an overall effort of 5-9 into its Thursday twinbill against LaGrange. The Scots played at Transylvania on Tuesday of this week and lost a pair of contests, 7-1 and 2-0.

SERIES RECORDS - When Emory meets Spaulding University and Baldwin-Wallace, it will represent the initial meetings in softball between the programs

Emory holds a 25-3 all-time mark against Maryville College.  The Eagles have won the last five meetings including 15-1 (5 inn.) and 9-3 decisions earlier this year.

NOTES - Emory takes a team batting average of .344 into the Maryville College Classic while opponents are hitting at a .189 clip ... Emory has already hit 15 home runs, sixth on the school's seasonal list ... The Eagles socked seven round trippers during the UAA Tournament with senior Kim Bandy accounting for two of those ... Bandy has 182 career hits at Emory and holds down sixth place on the school's all-time chart ... She has 11 career homers to her credit, fourth highest ever at the school ... Freshman outfielder Jessica Thomas continues to swing a potent bat and leads the team in hitting with a .476 mark ... She is the team leader in hits (40), doubles (10) and RBIs (32) ...  She is six RBIs shy of tying for tenth place on the school's seasonal ladder and is just one double shy of tying for 10th ... She has hit safely in 21 contests and has rapped out two or more safeties in 13 outings ...  Junior Cassie Walsh heads into the weekend hitting at a .460 clip (29-for-63) and has seven multiple-hit performances ... Senior Liz White recorded her first home run as an Eagle with a grand slam in the team's 17-0 win over Case during the UAA Tournament ... Emory has 10 or more hits in 11 contests this season ... The Emory pitching staff posts an ERA of 1.30 ... Senior Shanon Andersen sports a won-lost ledger of 11-2 and ERA of 0.67 ... Andersen's 32 career victories at Emory ranks fifth on the Eagles' all-time list in that category while her 326 strikeouts is good for fourth place ... Freshman Jen Haag's grand slam vs. Case on Mar. 11 represented her first career home run.

NO. 8-RANKED EMORY SOFTBALL TEAM SPLITS FINAL TWO GAMES OF UAA TOURNAMENT

(Mar. 14) -  The Emory University softball team closed the final day of the University Athletic Association Tournament with a split of two games. The No. 8-ranked Eagles opened with a
17-0, five-inning win against Case Western Reserve University before dropping a 4-0 decision to Washington University. The split left Emory's overall record at 20-4, 5-3 in the league which tied it for second place with the University of Rochester.

Emory slugged out 18 hits against the Spartans of Case and received home runs from freshmen Jessica Thomas and Jess Boni and senior Liz White. Emory scored a run in the second inning before exploding for 11 runs in the top half of the third. Thomas smacked a two-run homer and White came through with a grand slam later on in the barrage. The Eagles added two more runs in the fourth thanks to a two-run round tripper by Boni. Thomas finished the game with three hits and three RBIs while Boni recorded a pair of safeties and three RBIs. Freshman Bridget Hollway earned the win, going four innings and allowing just two hits and fanning four.

In the second game, the Bears' Claire Voris kept the Emory bats in check, allowing just three hits and striking out nine. Nicole Perez, Kim Bandy and Cassie Walsh accounted for the Eagles' hits. Wash U. got on the board in the top of the second when Corissa Santos homered. The Bears added three runs, two of which were unearned, in the third that eventually closed out the game's scoring. Wash U finished the UAA Tournament in first place with a 7-1 record.

Emory returns to action next Saturday and Sunday (Mar. 21-22) when it plays in the Maryville College Classic.

NO. 8-RANKED EMORY SOFTBALL FALLS TO ROCHESTER

(Mar. 13) -  The University of Rochester received three solo home runs Friday morning in recording a win over No. 8-ranked Emory in the University Athletic Association Tournament.  Rochester upped its overall record to 7-5 (2-3 UAA) following a 6-4 triumph over the Eagles who slipped to 19-3, 4-2 in the league.

Lindsay Maculso staked the Yellowjackets to a 1-0 lead after she led off the game with a homer.  Emory tied the game in its half of the inning when senior Kim Bandy stroked a two-out double and then scored following a single by classmate Carey Smith-Marchi. 

Rochester bolted to a 4-1 advantage after putting up three unearned runs in the top of the second. Macaluso picked up her second RBI of the game with a single while Nikki Lee DiSalvio also knocked in a run via a single.  Kim Grimes came through with UR's second round tripper of the contest in the top of the fifth that enabled UR to assume a 5-1 cushion. However, the Eagles got back into contention in their half of the frame with three runs.  Bandy accounted for the key blow of the inning with a two-run double that scored freshman Jessica Thomas and junior Cassie Walsh.  Bandy would eventually score to draw Emory to within 5-4.  Erin Clark gave the Yellowjackets an insurance run with her homer pushing their lead to 6-4.

Senior Shanon Andersen was saddled with the loss for Emory, going 4 1/3 innings and allowing five runs, two of which were earned, and striking out six.  Beth Ameno earned the win in relief for Rochester.

Emory closes out the UAA Tournament on Saturday with games against Case Western (10:00 am) and Washington University (12:30 pm).

NO. 8-RANKED EMORY SOFTBALL SPLITS TWO GAMES AT UAA TOURNAMENT

(Mar. 12) -  Senior Kim Bandy's three-run homer was the key blow in a four-run ninth inning and sparked the No. 8 Emory softball team to a 6-2 win over Brandeis and a split of a pair of contests at the University Athletic Association Tournament.   The Eagles opened the day with a 3-0 setback to No. 15 Washington University.  Emory now stands 19-2 overall this season, 4-1 in the league.

Against the Judges of Brandeis, Emory scored single runs in the third and sixth innings to go up by a 2-0 margin. Freshman outfield Jessica Thomas knocked in the squad's first run while senior Carey Smith-Marchi's single drove in Thomas in the sixth inning.  However, Brandeis tied the game in the bottom on the seventh to force extra innings.  In the decisive ninth frame, the first two Emory batters were retired before junior Cassie Walsh singled and advanced to second following a throwing error.  Walsh eventually scored after a pair of wild pitches.   Subsequent walks to Thomas and Nicole Perez then set the table for Bandy's blast.  Senior pitcher Shanon Andersen earned the win in relief, tossing 2 2/3 innings and striking out four while allowing one hit.

In the day's initial contest, the Eagles were kept in check by Wash U. hurler Claire Voris who gave up just three hits in hurling the complete-game shutout.  Bandy, junior Caitlin Fitzgerald and Perez picked up the team's safeties.  The Bears recorded the only run they would need in the first inning when a double by Carter Malouf scored Alyssa Abramoski.  Wash U. added some insurance when it pushed across two unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth. 

Emory continues UAA Tournament play on Friday (Mar. 13) when it takes on Rochester in a 10:00 a.m. start.

NO. 8-RANKED EMORY SOFTBALL TOPS CASE WESTERN RESERVE IN UAA TOURNAMENT


(Mar. 11) -  Freshman Jennifer Haag collected a pair of hits and drove in five runs on Wednesday in leading the No. 8-ranked Emory softball squad  to a victory over Case Western Reserve in the University Athletic Association Tournament in Altamonte Springs, Florida.  Emory raised its record to 18-1, 3-0 in the UAA following a five-inning, 8-0 triumph over the Spartans.

Haag picked up her first RBI in the bottom of the second inning when her double scored sophomore Zara Louy with the game's first run.  Haag later crossed the plate following a double by freshman Jessica Thomas.  Thomas also rapped out a pair of safeties and knocked in a pair of RBIs.

The Eagles broke the game open in the third when they scored five runs.  Haag provided the big blow with a grand slam homer while Thomas added the other RBI with a single that enabled sophomore Nicole Perez to cross the plate.

Emory added its other marker in the fourth inning when senior Carey Smith-Marchi socked a homer.

Freshman Bridget Holloway took to the mound for the Eagles and secured the victory, hurling all five innings and allowing four hits while striking out two.

Emory continues UAA Tournament play on Thursday (Mar. 12) with a 10:00 a.m. contest vs. No. 15 Washington University and a 12:30 bout against Brandeis.

EMORY SOFTBALL OPENS UAA TOURNAMENT WITH TWO WINS

(Mar. 10) -  Emory senior Kim Bandy hit a grand slam home run in the top of the ninth inning to snap a 1-1 tie and propel the No. 8-ranked Eagles to a 9-1 victory over Rochester in the team's second game of the UAA Tournament today in Altamonte Springs, Florida.  Emory opened the tourney with a 3-2 decision over Brandeis. The two wins boosted Emory's overall won-lost slate to 17-1 (2-0 UAA).

Emory trailed by a 1-0 margin heading into the top of the seventh against the Yellowjackets before knotting the game on the strength of a two-out single by junior Cassie Walsh that scored junior Caitlin Fitzgerald.  In the decisive ninth inning, the Eagles loaded the bases following a single, a Rochester error and intentional walk.  After an Emory out, Bandy delivered her blast that gave the Eagles a 5-1 edge.  Emory tacked on four more runs in the frame with a two-run single by freshman outfielder Jessica Thomas a key blow.  Senior pitcher Shanon Andersen went the distance in picking up the win, allowing just three hits and striking out nine.

In the Brandeis game, the Judges jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first with Erin Ross driving in Melisa Cagar.  The Eagles took the lead in their half of the fourth when freshman Jess Boni, pinch hitting for Zara Louy, singled up the middle that scored Fitzgerald and senior Alyson Moler.  After Brandeis tied the contest in the top of the fifth, the Eagles put the game way in the bottom of the seventh when Fitzgerald led off the frame with a single.  After moving to second following a sacrifice bunt, and following a ground out, she advanced to third following a single by Walsh.  Thomas then delivered Fitzgerald home with the game-winning RBI with a single.  Freshman hurler Kelsey Floyd earned the win came on in relief to record the win, going five innings and surrendering one run and three hits while fanning three.

Emory continues action in the UAA Tournament on Wednesday (Mar. 11) with a 12:30 game against Case Western.

EMORY SOFTBALL GEARS UP FOR ROAD ACTION

(Mar. 5) - GAME FACTS - The 2009 Emory softball team heads to Florida where it will play its next 12 contests.  Next up on the Eagles' schedule are Sunday and Monday (Mar. 8-9) games at the National Training Center in Clermont, Florida.  Emory will battle The College of New Jersey (9:00 a.m.) and Cortland State (11:00 a.m.) on Sunday before meeting Emerson College (9:30 a.m.) and Haverford College (1:30 p.m.) on Monday.

THE COACHES - Emory is led by 11th-year Head Coach Penny Siqueiros (Florida State, '92).  Entering this weekend's action, Siqueiros claims a school and career record of 324-106.  During her tenure at Emory, she has guided the program to seven seasons of 30 or more wins.  Last year, she directed the Eagles to a 29-12 mark that included the program's seventh appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Sally Miller (Iowa, 1989) is in her 14th season as head coach at The College of New Jersey. While with the Lions, she has compiled a 357-159 won-lost ledger. She has guided the program to five trips to the NCAA Tournament and captured the national championship in 1996.

In her 14th season leading the Cortland State program is Julie Lenhart (Ohio Northern, 1980).  Prior to this weekend, Lenhart has chalked up an impressive mark of 435-191-1 with the Red Dragons while claiming a career effort of 555-268-1.  Her Cortland teams have qualified for the NCAA Tournament eight times and have four College World Series trips. 

Emerson College is led by ninth-year head coach Phil McElroy who has a school record of 189-110. In 10 years of college coaching, he stands 205-133.

The Fords of Haverford College are guided by fifth-year head coach Jen Ward (Haverford, '04).  At the start of the weekend, Ward has a total of 82 wins to her credit and has posted 20-win seasons in each of the past three years.

RECORDS - The Eagles have gotten off to a fine start with a won-lost effort of 11-1.  Emory won three of four games last weekend in Mississippi, defeating Millsaps College twice while splitting a pair of games against Mississippi College.

The College of New Jersey will be playing its first games of the 2009 season on Saturday (Mar. 7) when the Lions meet Ohio Northern and Northland College.  TCNJ finished the 2008 campaign with an overall mark of 26-17.

Cortland  State will be making its season debut on Sunday when it takes on Emory.  The Red Dragons posted an impressive ledger of 39-13 last season that included a spot in the College World Series.

Before Monday's matchup with Emory, Emerson College will tangle with the University of Rochester and SUNY Plattsburgh on Sunday.

Haverford College has a pair of Sunday games on the docket, vs. Moravian and Simmons (Mass.) before its encounter with Emory the following day.  The Fords recorded a won-lost slate of 23-16 last season.

SERIES RECORDS - When Emory meets Haverford, Emerson and Cortland State, it will represent the initial meetings in softball.

Emory and The College of New Jersey have met on one occasion with the Eagles claiming an 8-2 victory on March 23, 2002, in Salem, Va.

NOTES - The Emory bats have been hot with the Eagles checking in with an impressive team batting average of .364 ... Emory has already hit seven home runs this year ... The Eagles have collected 10 or more hits in seven contests ... While Emory's offense has been in high gear, the team's pitching staff has been solid with an ERA of 1.38 while striking out 75 opposing batters in 78 innings of action ... Senior hurler Shanon Andersen sports a glittering ERA of 0.39 along with a 7-0 record ... Andersen has tossed 46 innings and has fanned 57 while walking just 13 ... During her career at Emory, Andersen has struck out 287 and stands fifth on the school's all-time chart in that category ... Emory has outscored the opposition by a 91-20 margin through 12 games ... Freshman outfielder Jessica Thomas continues her assault on opposing pitching with her .556 batting average leading the team ... Thomas has hit safely in all 12 games and has nine multiple-hit contests to her credit ... She tops the squad in hits (25), doubles (6), RBIs (20) and is tied for first in runs scored (13) ... Junior Cassie Walsh heads into the weekend hitting at a .500 clip (15-for-30) and has at least one hit in all 10 games that she has batted  in ... Senior Carey Smith-Marchi, tied for the team lead with three homers, holds down the No. 2 spot on the team's sheet with 17 RBIs ... Smith-Marchi has knocked in runs in nine outings and has five games of two or more RBIs.

ON THE HORIZON --- Following the Sunday and Monday contests, Emory will take part in the University Athletic Association Tournament, Mar. 10-14, in Altamonte Springs, Fla.  The Eagles' will play a pair of games on the opening day of action, vs. Brandeis (10:00 a.m.) and the University of Rochester (12:30 p.m.).

EMORY'S KIM BANDY NAMED UAA SOFTBALL CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK

(Mar. 4) - Senior Kim Bandy (Duluth, GA) has been selected as the University Athletic Association Softball Co-Player of the Week after helping the Eagles to wins in three of four contests. It is the first time this year and third in her career she has been selected for the honor.  She shares this week's award with Beth Ameno of the University of Rochester.

Over the weekend, Bandy hit .428 with six hits in 14 plate appearances, scored four runs, and drove in four.  In a 5-3 win over Mississippi College on Friday, she blasted a triple that drove in a run.  The following day, she recorded four hits in five at-bats, scored three times, and registered two RBI in a 16-4 triumph over Millsaps College.  In the final game of the weekend, she contributed the team's lone RBI in a 6-1 setback against Mississippi College. The Eagles raised their overall record to 11-1 on the year.

So far this year, Bandy is hitting .341 (14-of-41) and ranks third on the squad in runs scored (12) and RBIs (13).  The Eagles' next action takes place this Sunday (Mar. 8) when they battle The College of New Jersey (9:00 a.m.) and Cortland State (11:00 a.m.) in Clermont, Florida.

EMORY SOFTBALL SPLITS TWO GAMES

(Feb. 28) -  The Emory softball team notched its 11th straight win on Saturday morning with a resounding 16-4 six-inning win over Millsaps College before Mississippi College posted a 6-1 decision over the Eagles in the afternoon, handing the Eagles their first setback of the campaign. 

Seven different players recorded two more hits in the opener led by freshman outfield Jessica Thomas and senior first baseman Kim Bandy, both of whom came through with four safeties in five trips to the plate.  Bandy also scored three runs and dove in a pair while Thomas crossed the plate twice.  Senior Alyson Moler picked up three hits and three RBIs while sophomore Zara Louy finished with three RBIs, two of those coming on a triple that sparked a five-run first inning.  Holding a 7-0 lead, the Eagles added four more runs in the fourth with sophomore Nicole Perez coming through with a two-run single and Louy an RBI double.  Emory then tacked on five runs in the sixth frame which eventually closed the contest out.  Senior Shanon Andersen picked up the win on the mound, tossing 5 1/3 innings and allowing just one run while striking out seven.

Mississippi College turned the tables on the Eagles, scoring five times in the top of the first inning with Lauren Coleman two-run double the big blow.  The Choctaws made the five runs stand up as pitcher Whitney Warren held the Eagles to just six hits.  Emory's lone run of the contest came in third inning when a Bandy single scored junior Cassie Walsh.  Suffering the loss for the Eagles was freshman Bridget Holloway who hurled two innings before giving way to fellow freshman Kelsey Floyd who tossed the remaining five innings.

EMORY SOFTBALL WINS TWO GAMES


(Feb. 27) - Senior Kim Bandy's eighth-inning single scored Shanon Andersen to give the Eagles a 2-1 win over Millsaps College in the second of two games played in Clinton, Mississippi on Friday.   The Eagles opened the day with a 5-3 triumph over Mississippi College.  The two victories raised Emory's record to 10-0.

In the contest against Millsaps, the Eagles fell behind by a 1-0 count after Millsaps scored an unearned run in its half of the third.  Emory was kept in check by Millsaps pitcher Kasey Thibodeaux until the sixth inning when it tied the contest following a single by Carey Smith-Marchi that scored sophomore Nicole Perez.  The Majors threatened in the seventh frame after putting their first two runners on, however Eagle pitcher Shanon Andersen got out of the jam by striking out the following two batters and getting a ground out.  Millsaps had ample scoring opportunities in the contest, ending up with 16 runners left on base.   In the eighth inning, and with Andersen on second, freshman outfield Jessica Thomas singled to left advancing Andersen to third.  Following an out, Bandy then ended the game with her hit.   Andersen got the win after coming in relief of starter Kelsey Floyd in the first inning.  She tossed eight innings and allowed seven hits while fanning 11.

Smith-Marchi homered and Andersen picked up the win against Mississippi College.  Thomas contributed three hits to aid in the victory.

Emory will move down the road on Saturday when it tangles with Millsaps (11:00 am CST) and Mississippi College (1:00 p.m. CST) in Jackson, Miss.

EAGLES' SOFTBALL SQUAD PREPARES FOR FIRST ROAD TRIP

(Feb. 25) --  The Emory University softball team ventures to the state of Mississippi for its first road games of the 209 season.  On Friday, Emory will be in Clinton, Miss., to battle Mississippi College at 2:00 p.m. before taking on Millsaps at 4:00 p.m.  On Saturday, the scene shifts to Jackson, Miss., where the Eagles will play Millsaps at 11:00 a.m., before closing out the weekend with a 1:00 p.m. contest against Mississippi College.

Head Coach Penny Siqueiros and her squad are off to an impressive start with an overall record of 8-0.  The Eagles recorded four wins last weekend at the Emory Classic as they notched a pair of wins apiece against Huntingdon College and Rhodes College.  Emory had its offense in high gear as it scored 34 runs while surrendering two just.

Senior Carey Smith-Marchi (San Francisco, CA) was named UAA Player of the Week, after battering opposing pitchers for a .636 average, picking up seven hits in 11 plate appearances.  In addition, she drove in a total of nine runs and crossed the plate six times herself.  In the opening game of the Classic, she socked a solo home run and drove in two runs in a 7-0 decision over Huntingdon College.  In the following game against Rhodes College, she collected three safeties, including a three-run triple, that sparked a 9-0 win.

Freshman left fielder Jessica Thomas (Springfield, VA) continued her torrid hitting pace with 10 hits in 16 at-bats (.625) as well as driving in five runs.  Thomas has rapped out two or more hits in all eight contests and is hitting at a .621 clip. 

Also enjoying a big offensive weekend was junior Cassie Walsh (Palm City, FL) with eight safeties in 12 trips to the plate (.667).  Walsh scored six runs over the weekend and totaled three RBIs in a 9-0 triumph over Rhodes.

Freshman pitcher Bridget Holloway (Sparta, IL) earned a pair of wins in a starting capacity, throwing a total of nine innings and striking out eight batters.  Holloway hurled five innings and allowed just two hits while fanning three in the Classic opener against Huntingdon.  Senior Shanon Andersen notched one win as a starter and one in relief, whiffing 17 batters in a total of 11 1/3 innings.

EMORY SOFTBALL DEFEATS HUNTINGDON


(Feb. 22) - Senior Alyson Moler and junior Cassie Walsh each recorded three hits and senior Carey Smith-Marchi knocked in three runs in helping the Emory softball team to an 8-1 win over Huntingdon College in the final game of the Emory Classic.  The Eagles ran their record to 8-0 following an 8-1 decision over the Hawks who fell to 1-5. 

Holding a 2-1 lead heading into its half of the fourth inning, Emory exploded for four runs to stake itself to a 6-1 lead.  Smith-Marchi knocked in a pair of runs with Moler and senior Kim Bandy picking up the other RBIs.  The Eagles added two more runs in the sixth with a sacrifice fly by senior Liz White scoring Smith-Marchi and a single by freshman Jessica Boni scoring Moler.

Senior Shanon Andersen earned the win on the mound after coming in relief of starter Kelsey Floyd and holding the Hawks scoreless over 5 1/3 innings of action.  Andersen allowed just one hit and struck out five in raising her record to 4-0.

EMORY SOFTBALL TOPS RHODES COLLEGE

(Feb. 22) - Senior Kim Bandy and freshman  Jessica Thomas each picked up two hits and drove in three runs in sparking the Emory softball team to a win over Rhodes College Sunday morning.  The Eagles raised their record to 7-0 following a five-inning, 10-1 triumph over the Lynx who slipped to 3-2.

Freshman pitcher Bridget Holloway earned the win, allowing five hits and striking out five in boosting her season mark to 4-0.  Freshman Shannon Andersen tossed the final inning.

Rhodes scored a run in the top of the first when a double by Allison Conn scored Caroline Cooper. The Eagles roared back with three runs in its half of the fourth with Bandy and senior Carey Smith-Marchi each picking up an RBI.  The Eagles then exploded with seven runs in the fifth inning with the big blows being a two-run double by Bandy and a three-run triple by Thomas that closed the game out.

 Emory battles Huntingdon in a 2:30 p.m. start later today.

EMORY SOFTBALL RACES BY RHODES COLLEGE

(Feb. 21) - Senior Carey-Smith Marchi and junior  Cassie Walsh each drove in three runs in leading the Emory softball team to a win over Rhodes College Saturday afternoon.  The Eagles raised their record to 6-0 following a five-inning, 9-0 triumph over the Lynx who slipped to 3-1.

Senior pitcher Shanon Andersen earned the win, allowing three hits and striking out 12 in boosting her season mark to 3-0.  So far this year, Andersen has fanned 31 opposing batters in 19 1/3 innings of work.

The Eagles put a two-spot up on Rhodes in the second inning when a bases-loaded walk to senior center fielder Cassie Walsh forced in a run and a single by sophomore Nikki Perez drove in the other.  Emory pushed its advantage to 4-0 the following inning when a two-out single by Walsh scored Alyson and Carey Smith-Marchi.  Emory then put the game away with a five-run explosion in the fifth frame with the big blow being a bases-loaded triple down the right field line by Smith-Marchi that ended the contest.

Emory battles Rhodes College on Sunday (Feb. 22) morning starting at 9:30 a.m. before battling Huntingdon at 1:30 p.m.

EMORY SOFTBALL TOPS HUNTINGDON

(Feb. 21) - Freshman Bridget Holloway tossed five shutout innings while senior Carey Smith-Marchi and junior Caitlin Fitzgerald each homered in sparking the Emory softball team to a win over Huntingdon College on Saturday.  The Eagles raised their record to 5-0 following a 7-0 triumph over the Hawks who slipped to 0-3.

Holloway allowed just two hits and whiffed three batters in recording her third win of the young season.  She received all the run support she needed in the bottom of the first when a sacrifice fly by senior Kim Bandy scored Jessica Thomas.  After the Eagles added a run in the second, they stretched their lead to 3-0 when Smith-Marchi hit a solo blast to straight-away center field.  Emory blew the game wide open with a four-run fifth inning that was highlighted by Fitzgerald's three-run homer.

Freshman Jessica Thomas continued her hot-hitting ways, picking up three of Emory's 10 hits.  Freshman Kelsey Floyd came on in relief of Holloway and pitched the final two innings, striking out a pair of Hawks.

Emory will face Rhodes College later on today in a 1:30 p.m. tilt at Cooper Field.

EAGLES' SOFTBALL  HOSTS EMORY CLASSIC

(Feb. 19) --  Looking to continue its momentum after a successful opening weekend, the Emory softball team returns to Cooper Field this Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 21-22) to host the Emory Classic.  Other participating teams include Huntingdon College and Rhodes College. 

The Eagles will play two games each day and get things started on Saturday with a 9:30 a.m. contest against Huntingdon.  Following that game, Emory takes on Rhodes beginning at 1:30 p.m.  On Sunday, Emory will tangle with Rhodes at 9:30 a.m. before closing out the Classic with a 1:30 p.m. game against Huntingdon.

Head Coach Penny Siqueiros and her squad were impressive last weekend in registering a 4-0 mark at the Emory Invitational.  The Eagles outscored their four opponents by a 33-4 margin and rapped out 43 hits, including four home runs, compared the opposition's total of 15 safeties.

Freshman Jessica Thomas (Springfield, VA) was tabbed as the UAA Player of the Week following an explosive performance that saw her hit .615, picking up eight hits in 13 plate appearances, sock three round trippers and driving in 14 RBIs.  Thomas came through with a pair of four-baggers and totaled eight RBIs in the squad's season-opening 15-1 triumph over Maryville College.

Aiding Emory's offensive attack were seniors Liz White (Burke, VA) and Alyson Moler (Purcellville, VA).  White hit a keen .500, going five-for-10 at the plate, while Moler checked in with an average of .455 with five safeties in 11 at-bats.

In the pitching department, senior Shanon Andersen got off to a fine start, registering a pair of wins while not surrendering an earned run and striking out 19 batters in 14 1/3 innings of action.  Freshman Bridget Holloway (Sparta, IL) was credited with the other two victories, picking up one in relief and the other as a starter.  

EMORY CLASSIC SCHEDULE

Saturday, Feb. 21
Emory vs. Huntingdon -- 9:30 a.m.
Huntingdon vs. Rhodes -- 11:30 a.m.
Emory vs. Rhodes -- 1:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 22
Emory vs. Rhodes -- 9:30 a.m.
Huntingdon vs. Rhodes -- 11:30 a.m.
Emory vs. Rhodes -- 1:30 p.m.

EMORY SOFTBALL TO HAVE SELECTED HOME GAMES WEBCAST

(Feb. 18) - Fans of the Emory University softball program will be able to follow the team via the worldwide web with four of the Eagles' home games slated to have live streaming video.

The first games slated to be webcast will Feb. 21 when Emory hosts Huntingdon College (9:30 a.m.) and Rhodes College (1:30 p.m.).  The final two contests that will be picked up will be the doubleheader against LaGrange College on Sunday, April 5, beginning at 1:30 p.m.

In order you view the webcast, you need to have RealPlayer© version 10 or newer installed on your computer.  To download the free version of RealPlayer©, go to www.real.com, and click on the "Get RealPlayer© - Free" button on the upper-left side of the screen.

After you click on the link, RealPlayer© should open automatically, and you should see the live video running on your computer.  If you get an error message saying "Requested file not found," it means that the webcast has not yet been initiated, and you should try to access the webcast again, closer to the start of the event.

EMORY SOFTBALL POUNDS OUT WINS AGAINST GREENSBORO AND MARYVILLE

(Feb. 15) - The Emory softball team continued its hot-hitting ways in the final day of the Emory Invitational on Sunday as it picked up wins against Greensboro College and Maryville College.  The Eagles opened the day with an 8-0 win (6 innings) over the Pride of Greensboro before posting a 9-3 triumph against Maryville. The two victories raised Emory's record to 4-0.

The Eagles rapped out a total of 22 safeties including six extra-base hits, over the two games.  Freshman  Jessica Thomas followed up her Saturday performance with another big effort, going a combined 4-for-6 at the plate with five RBIs.  Senior Kim Bandy registered five hits in eight plate appearances while senior Liz White and Cassie Walsh each picked up safeties in each contest.

In the decision over Greensboro, Bandy accounted for four of club's 11 hits and knocked in three runs, two coming a four-run third inning that gave the Eagles a 7-0 edge. Thomas added a pair of RBIs as well as two hits.

Emory used the long ball against the Scotts of Maryville with Thomas and senior Carey Smith-Marchi coming through with their third and first round trippers of the year, respectively.  Smith-Marchi's bomb came in the third inning and snapped a 1-1 tie.  After the Scots battled back with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth to tie the game, Thomas socked her third homer of the season, a two-run blast, that put the Eagles ahead for good.  Emory added three more runs in the fifth and another in the sixth for insurance.

Freshman pitcher Bridget Holloway tossed five solid innings against Greensboro, allowing just three hits, in earning her second win.  Against Maryville, senior Shanon Andersen picked up the victory after hurling 3 1/3 innings of relief, striking out four and not allowing a hit.

Emory gets back into action next Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 21-22) when it hosts the Emory Classic.

EMORY SOFTBALL OPENS 2009 SEASON WITH TWO WINS

(Feb. 14) - Freshman left fielder Jessica Thomas, playing in her first collegiate contests, turned in a memorable afternoon in helping the Emory softball team to a pair of victories on Saturday.   The Eagles came away with a 15-1 decision against Maryville College in their first outing of the Emory Invitational before posting a hard-fought 1-0 win in eight innings over Greensboro College.

Thomas, a native of Springfield, Virginia, socked two homers and drove in eight RBIs in the win over Maryville with her RBI total representing the third-highest game mark in school history.  Her first blast came in the second inning and keyed a four-run frame that put the Eagles ahead by a 5-1 margin.  The following inning she drove in five more runs with a grand slam and a walk that forced in a run.

Emory recorded 15 safeties in the game with junior Caitlin Fitzgerald and sophomore Zara Louy each recording three hits while scoring a pair of runs. Junior Shanon Andersen went the distance in the five-inning affair, allowing four hits and striking out nine.

The second game of the afternoon was an entirely different story as Andersen and Greensboro's Brittany Evans waged a pitching duel.  The Pride stranded a pair of runners in the third inning while the Eagles left a pair in their half of the seventh frame.  Andersen went six innings and surrendered just four hits while whiffing six.  Freshman Bridget Holloway earned the win in relief, tossing the final two innings.

In the decisive eighth inning, with Zara Louy placed on second base, junior Cassie Walsh bunted for a hit which moved Louy to third.  After Walsh swiped second base, Thomas knocked in the game-winning run with a hard shot through the left side of the infield.  Evans went the distance for Greensboro in defeat, giving up six hits and striking out one.

Emory, 2-0, returns to action on Sunday (Feb. 15) when it plays Greensboro at 9:30 a.m. and Maryville at 1:30 p.m.

EMORY SOFTBALL OPENS 2009 CAMPAIGN

(Feb. 13) -- The Emory University softball team opens its 2009 campaign this weekend (Feb. 14-15) when it hosts the Emory Invitational.  Also participating in the Invitational are Greensboro College and Maryville College.  The Eagles will play two games each day and get things started on Saturday with an 11:30 a.m. contest against Maryville College.  Following that tussle, Emory gets right back on the field for a 1:30 p.m. bout against Greensboro.  On Sunday, Emory will tangle with Greensboro at 9:30 a.m. before closing out the Invitational with a 1:30 p.m. game against Maryville.

Emory Head Coach Penny Siqueiros begins her 11th season directing the fortunes of the Eagles' program looking to land the program's fourth consecutive and eighth overall bid to the NCAA Tournament.  The Eagles finished the 2008 campaign with an overall record of 29-12 and were ranked 27th in the nation.

Emory returns 12 letterwinners from a year ago and has an experienced cast of players with seven returning starters at the positional spots. 

On the mound, senior Shanon Andersen returns after an outstanding 2008 campaign that saw her land a second-team berth to the NFCA All-Atlantic Region Team.  Andersen finished with a 21-6 won-lost mark with her victory total establishing an Emory seasonal record.  She fanned 230 opposing batters, another Emory record, and she finished among the top 25 nationally in strikeouts per game (9.0).  Also likely to see considerable time on the mound this year will be freshmen Bridget Holloway and Kelsey Floyd.

The outfield corps will be led by junior Cassie Walsh, a two-time First Team All-University Athletic Association honoree.  Walsh was the lone Eagle to start all 41 games last season and finished with a batting average of .333 while leading the team and UAA players in runs scored (44).  Senior Alyson Moler, a starter in 39 games last season, will patrol the right field position while freshman Jessica Thomas has impressed Siqueiros with her play in left field during the preseason.

The infield will have familiar faces with senior Kim Bandy at first base, junior Caitlin Fitzgerald at second base, sophomore Nicole Perez at shortstop and senior Liz White at third.  Those four players accounted for 144 games played last season, 134 in a starting capacity. Bandy, a first-team pick to the All-UAA squad, hit .411 in 2008, her second straight season of .400 or better, and drove in 34 runs.  Fitzgerald, a starter in all 40 games in 2008, posted a batting average of .358 en route to second team all-region honors.  She topped the squad with 35 RBIs and tied for the team lead with 10 doubles. Perez made a fine showing during her rookie season, registering a .371 average while stealing 14 bases, second on the team, and scoring 32 runs. White provided the team a solid defense presence at the hot corner, appearing in 23 games, and looks to boost her offensive production this year.

Sophomore Zara Louy enters the year as the starter behind the plate after making the most of her playing opportunities in 2008.  She started 14 of the 25 games she saw action in and hit .460 while displaying defensive prowess by handling 89 of 90 chances.

Emory hopes to receive another big effort from senior designated player Carey Smith-Marchi who enjoyed a breakout season in 2008.  A starter in 38 of 39 contests, she came through with a classy .396 batting average and was the team's lone representative on the NFCA All-Atlantic Region Team.