NORTHAMPTON, Mass. – The Smith College softball team (13-9, 6-8) hosts nationally-ranked Wheaton (28-4, 12-2) in a key New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) doubleheader on Friday. First pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m.
Last Meeting: Wheaton blanked the Pioneers 8-0 (5 inn.) and 5-0 on March 29, 2013 in Norton.
The Series: The Lyons have won 55 of the 65 games dating back to 1983, including the last nine. Smith's last win was on April 11, 2009 and last sweep was on April 18, 1998.
Fast Facts: The Lyons are ranked fourth in the NCAA regional rankings and No. 25 in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Poll…Wheaton has split with Babson and Wellesley…as a team, the Lyons are ranked seventh in the nation with 2.23 doubles per game…Jenna Rocha is sixth in the nation with 0.87 walks per game…
Gina Martucci (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Township) is in the top 50 with a 1.26 ERA, four shutouts and 12 wins…the Pioneers are 7-0 when scoring five or more and 10-0 when holding teams to a pair of runs or less…
Sarah Tully (West Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) and
Allison Snyder (Succasunna, N.J./Roxbury) each batted .364 last week and combined for three RBI, three doubles and five runs scored…the Pioneers, who are currently sixth in the NEWMAC standings, look to make the conference tournament for the first time since 2008.
Next Up: Smith travels to the Coast Guard Academy for a noon twinbill while Wheaton makes a return trip to Central Massachusetts for a noon set at Springfield.
