Drexel University Athletics
Friday, May 6
Harrisonburg, Va.
1:00 p.m.
Drexel University
at
James Madison
Drexel Softball Looks to Play Spoiler In Season Finale at James Madison This Weekend
5/6/2011 10:18:19 AM | Softball
Philadelphia - The Drexel softball team takes its final swings of the 2011 season at James Madison this weekend in a three-game set with the Dukes (27-22, 6-11). The Dragons (14-26, 6-12) are coming off an 8-3 win over Delaware on Senior Day last Sunday at Drexel Field. Friday's series opening doubleheader is set for a 1:00 p.m. opening pitch and the series finale will be a 3:00 p.m. game on Saturday in Harrisonburg, Va. Fans can follow the games via livestats by clicking here.
The Dukes are in need of a series sweep and a sweep by Towson over Delaware in order to reach the CAA Tournament. James Madison is currently on a five-game losing streak and was swept by Towson in a three-game series last weekend. The Dukes are 9-4 at home this season and 3-2 in home conference games.
Drexel's offense exploded for seven runs in the first inning against Delaware last Sunday. Led by seniors Kelly Downes (2-4, RBI) and Katy Harrington (2-4, 2RBI) the Dragons closed out the series with an emphatic victory, which was the first home win of the season for Drexel. Paige Collings mashed her team-leading ninth home run of the season on Saturday, to break the team's single-season home run record. She is also just nine RBIs shy of matching the single-season record.
Big Bats: Ashley Burnham, the 2010 CAA Player of the Year, leads a potent James Madison offense with a .368 batting average, 13 homers and 32 RBIs. Jasmine Butler (22), Caitlen Manning (27) and Haley Johnson (22) have all driven in more than 20 runs this season. The Dukes are also a nightmare on the basepaths for their opponents with five players who have all attempted at lest 13 steals on the season.
Ace of the Staff: Olivia McPherson will be throwing the final home games of her career this weekend. With the absence of Cara Stecher due to injury, McPherson has been thrust into the primary starting role for James Madison over the past three weeks. She is 11-12 on the season with a 2.99 ERA and is holding opponents to a .257 batting average.
All-Time Series: James Madison leads the all-time series with Drexel 22-7. The Dukes took two of three from the Dragons in Philadelphit last year and have won 10 of the teams' last 12 meetings. Drexel has not won a game in Harrisonburg in 12 attempts.
The Dukes are in need of a series sweep and a sweep by Towson over Delaware in order to reach the CAA Tournament. James Madison is currently on a five-game losing streak and was swept by Towson in a three-game series last weekend. The Dukes are 9-4 at home this season and 3-2 in home conference games.
Drexel's offense exploded for seven runs in the first inning against Delaware last Sunday. Led by seniors Kelly Downes (2-4, RBI) and Katy Harrington (2-4, 2RBI) the Dragons closed out the series with an emphatic victory, which was the first home win of the season for Drexel. Paige Collings mashed her team-leading ninth home run of the season on Saturday, to break the team's single-season home run record. She is also just nine RBIs shy of matching the single-season record.
Big Bats: Ashley Burnham, the 2010 CAA Player of the Year, leads a potent James Madison offense with a .368 batting average, 13 homers and 32 RBIs. Jasmine Butler (22), Caitlen Manning (27) and Haley Johnson (22) have all driven in more than 20 runs this season. The Dukes are also a nightmare on the basepaths for their opponents with five players who have all attempted at lest 13 steals on the season.
Ace of the Staff: Olivia McPherson will be throwing the final home games of her career this weekend. With the absence of Cara Stecher due to injury, McPherson has been thrust into the primary starting role for James Madison over the past three weeks. She is 11-12 on the season with a 2.99 ERA and is holding opponents to a .257 batting average.
All-Time Series: James Madison leads the all-time series with Drexel 22-7. The Dukes took two of three from the Dragons in Philadelphit last year and have won 10 of the teams' last 12 meetings. Drexel has not won a game in Harrisonburg in 12 attempts.
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