Softball Returns to the North, Faces Penn and Rider

Friday, March 18

Philadelphia, PA

4 PM

Army West Point

Penn

Softball Returns to the North, Faces Penn and Rider

March 17, 2016 | Softball

WEST POINT, N.Y. – After finishing its trip to Florida with four wins, the Army West Point softball team returns to the North for two doubleheaders this weekend. The Black Knights will face Penn and Rider March 18-19 for their first set of doubleheaders this season.

"This weekend is going to be a great opportunity to play the same team back-to-back just as we will for the remainder of the season, especially on Saturday's during league play," said head coach Michelle DePolo. "It's going to be a new tactic and new challenge that we are looking forward to as conference play approaches next weekend. We will likely try some different tactics in how we rotate our pitchers and spread out our line up."

The Cadets improved to 11-10 while in Florida with wins over Quinnipiac, Wisconsin Green Bay, North Dakota and UMass Lowell. The Black Knights outscored those opponents 25-12 and shut out the Fighting Hawks 8-0 in five innings.

Mae Wadyka leads the Black Knights with a .390 batting average and is followed by Kasey McCravey with a .354 average. McCravey and Caroline Smith each lead the team with nine RBI apiece. Emily Gray, Kristen McPeek and Gladys Esparza-Gallegos each have eight RBI on the season, while Ashley Yoo and Nena Riccoboni both have six.

Wadyka and Alee Rashenskas have stroked a team-leading 23 hits and McCravey has notched 22. Rashenskas has a team-best .415 slugging percentage, while Yoo (.411) and Wadyka (.407) are also slugging over .400.

The Black Knights lead Penn 3-2 in the all-time series that began in 2000. Army last defeated the Quakers in 2001 when it won 8-4. Penn boasts a season record of 7-5 with key wins over Providence and North Florida.

Rider leads the all-time series with the Cadets, 13-12-1, which dates back to Army's inaugural season in 1979. The Black Knights are currently on a four-game winning streak over the Broncs. Rider is now 1-14 and picked up its first win after defeating Bucknell 1-0.

"Four games in 24 hours is going to be a grind," added DePolo. "Each set of games thus far has brought a variety of scenarios to help our team take shape as league games approach and I expect this weekend to bring the same. I've continued to be pleased with how much fight and grit we demonstrate against every opponent. It's a quick turn around from Florida, but every game day is a great day.

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