Blue Hen Softball Team Opens Home Schedule This Weekend By Hosting Second Annual Delaware Spring Invitational
March 14, 2013
• Delaware Spring Invitational Tournament Central
NEWARK, Del. -- After opening its season with four consecutive tournaments on the road, the University of Delaware softball team kicks off its home schedule this weekend when the Blue Hens host the second annual Delaware Spring Invitational at the UD Softball Stadium.
The tournament opens on Friday when Norfolk State battles Hartford at 11:15 a.m., followed by the Blue Hens’ home opener against Norfolk State at 1:30 p.m. The final game of the day features Hartford taking on Villanova at 3:45 p.m.
Delaware opens Saturday’s action with a 9 a.m. contest with Hartford, followed by Villanova against St. Francis (Pa.) at 11:15 a.m. Hartford then faces Norfolk State at 1:30 p.m., with the last game of the day featuring St. Francis (Pa.) vs. Norfolk State at 3:45 p.m.
Sunday’s slate begins with Hartford battling St. Francis (Pa.) at 9 a.m., followed by Norfolk State taking on Villanova at 11:15 a.m. The Blue Hens then face St. Francis (Pa.) at 1:30 p.m. and Villanova at 3:45 p.m. to close out the invitational.
During the Blue Hens’ first two games against Norfolk State and Hartford, the 2013 UD softball schedule poster will be given to the first 75 fans in attendance. Prior to Delaware’s contest versus St. Francis (Pa.) on Sunday, the ROTC will be presenting the colors while Colonel Pam Gonce from the Delaware Army National Guard will be throwing out the first pitch. Additionally, all service personnel (military, veteran, fire, police, and EMS) in full uniform who present their service ID card to concessions will receive the discounted $5 price on the BBQ pork food platter.
Also on Sunday, Luck ‘o the Irish Blue Hens beads will be given to the first 75 fans in attendance, while fans 10 years of age and younger can run the bases following UD’s game against Villanova.
Delaware, which has posted the best start through 17 games in school history, enters the weekend’s action with a 14-3 record and has won five straight after going unbeaten at the Hampton Lady Pirate Classic.
Freshman second baseman Tori Conrad is batting .395 with team-highs of 12 RBI and 16 walks for the Blue Hens, and currently ranks 13th in Division I with a .574 on base percentage. Rookie centerfielder Hannah George is also hitting .395 for Delaware, while sophomore Jessica Grisler leads the squad with 22 hits and 14 runs scored to go with a .367 batting average. Eight regulars are hitting at least .300 for the Blue Hens, who are batting an impressive .322 as a team thus far.
Freshman Kiersten Coffman paces the UD pitching staff, as she has won all five of her decisions while recording a 1.73 earned run average. Senior Chenxi Jiao is 3-2 with a 1.93 ERA in the circle, while freshman Taylor Curran is 3-1 with a 1.99 ERA. Senior Amanda Stacevicz is a perfect 3-0 for the Blue Hens, who have recorded a 1.99 team ERA through 17 games.
