Game #1
ART U (0-0) vs. CSU Stanislaus (0-0)
Wednesday, February 2nd at 3:00 pm
Brisbane, CA – Mission Blue Field
Game #2
ART U (0-0) @ CSU East Bay (0-0)
Sunday, February 6th at 12:00 and 2:00 pm
Hayward, CA – Pioneer Field
Starting off strong: The women begin their 2011 season with tough games against CCAA opponents. They start the season by hosting Cal State Stanislaus on February 2nd, before traveling to Hayward, CA to face Cal State East Bay just four days later on February 6th. The game against Stanislaus is a single game starting at 3:00 pm at the Knights' own Mission Blue Field in Brisbane, CA.
Recap: In 2010, ART U softball's second year in existence, the team finished with a 29-23-1 overall record. That was good enough for the team to finish 5th in the PacWest conference. The season showed huge progress for the team, as they came up with big wins, including a win over Hawaii Pacific University who would end up being NCAA Division II Champions in 2010. Head Coach Rachel Sherman returns for her third season at the helm.
Knights to Watch: The Knights host an all-star roster after they return all but one player from last year. With the addition of five new faces to the team, the Urban Knights have a new look in 2011. ART U standout pitcher junior Sierrah Garcia returns for her third year on the mound for the team. Last season she finished with 200 strikeouts, the most in the PacWest. The team also returns slugger Alana Aweau for her senior year. In 2010 Aweau finished with a .354 batting average including 11 homeruns, 41 RBIs, 12 doubles, and a .639 slugging percentage. Both Garcia and Aweau were voted to the 2011 All PacWest pre-season team.
Scouting CSU Stanislaus: The Warriors finished 2010 with a 13-36-1 overall record. They have a young team this season consisting of two seniors, one junior, six sophomores, and seven freshmen. The Warriors will be led by sophomore Sarah Locarnini who finished with a .395 batting average last year, and started all 50 games for her team. She also finished with 30 runs, 66 hits, and 18 stolen bases. The Warrior's top pitcher Brittani Weatherford returns for her sophomore year, after leading the team in 2010 with 162 innings pitched, a 4.54 ERA, and 109 strikeouts. She finished with a 7-19 record, and allowed 105 earned runs. Three of the five Warrior's top hitters from last year are back in action for 2011, including senior Missy Corral who batted .250 last season, with a .400 on base percentage. Last year when the two teams faced each other, the Knights took the first game from the Warriors 11-6, and tied the second game after it was called for darkness in the 5th inning.
Scouting Cal State East Bay: The Pioneers are coming off a 14-36 season in 2010. They have an experienced team for 2011 however, as the roster is made up of four seniors, nine juniors, five sophomores, and two freshmen. Senior Nikki Freiberg led the team offensively last season, and will be looked upon again this year. In 2010, she started and played in all 50 games for the Pioneers and finished with a team high .307 batting average, including 44 hits, nine doubles, 59 total bases, and a .410 slugging percentage. The Pioneers graduated three of their four biggest hitters in 2010. On the mound, ace Lauren Zweigle returns for her sophomore year. She led the team last season with a 3.89 earned run average, two saves, and 162 innings pitched. She also posted 138 strikeouts, and allowed just 32 walks. This will be the first time the Pioneers and Urban Knights face off against each other.
Looking Ahead: After the two games this week, the Knights get just a few days rest before heading to Las Vegas, NV for the Montana State Billings Tournament. The tournament begins on Friday, February 11th. During the three day tournament, the Urban Knights will play five games against other Division II teams.
