Softball Preview: Hofstra

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW?
...............................................................

» The University of Delaware softball team hosts Hofstra in a pivotal three-game CAA series this weekend at Delaware Softball Stadium. The two teams hold the top two spots in the conference standings as the Blue Hens sit at 9-3 and the Pride are just behind at 8-3 in CAA play.

» The Blue Hens are 26-13 overall on the season and are 8-2 in their past 10 games. The squad is coming off a tough 4-3 setback in 10 innings at Saint Joseph's on Wednesday in a nonconference contest. Hanna Garber had two doubles and two RBI, while Sarah Bessel had two hits and two runs scored to lead the offense. Three UD pitchers combined for seven strikeouts in 9.2 innings, allowing just three earned runs.

» Senior Hanna Garber was named the CAA Player of the Week on Monday, her second award of the season and fourth of her career. Garber led the Blue Hens to its third-straight CAA series victory, posting a .500 batting average with five runs scored and one RBI. Garber recorded multiple hits in all three games against Towson, hitting 6-for-12 in the series with three extra-base knocks.

» Garber leads the Blue Hens with a .378 batting average while sitting atop the CAA in both hits (51) and runs scored (44). Brooke Glanden is tied with Garber with eight home runs to go along with a team-high 33 RBI while Brittney Mendoza has hit five home runs and driven in 32. On the pitching side, Emily Winburn has a CAA-leading 12 wins with a 2.47 ERA and 107 strikeouts. Graceyn Frost has a 2.53 ERA to go along with 11 wins and 88 strikeouts.

» Hofstra enters the weekend with a 15-21 overall record, but is 8-3 in the CAA having won all four of its series over Elon, Charleston, James Madison and UNCW. The Pride are batting .237 as a team, but .293 in conference play. Chelsea Manto is hitting at a team-high .357 clip and has 12 stolen bases while Meghan Giordano leads the squad with four home runs and 20 RBI. The pitching staff owns a 3.47 team ERA and is led by Julia Apsel who has six wins and a 2.87 ERA. Haley Venturini has 64 strikeouts in 60 innings pitched.

How to Follow

Saturday
Game One: 12 p.m. – Live Stats | Watch
Game Two: 2 p.m. – Live Stats | Watch

Sunday
1 p.m. – Live Stats | Watch

Social Media
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW?
...............................................................

How to Follow

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Sarah Bessel

Graceyn Frost

Hanna Garber

Brooke Glanden

Brittney Mendoza

Emily Winburn

University of Delaware Athletics