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The Slate
FGCU/Four Points by Sheraton invitational
FGCU Softball Complex ~ Fort Myers, Fla.
Live Stats: purduesports.com
Friday, Feb. 20
2 p.m. vs. Oakland
7 p.m. at FGCU
Saturday, Feb. 21
12:15 p.m. at FGCU
4:45 p.m. vs. Stony Brook
Sunday, Feb. 22
9 a.m. vs. Bethune-Cookman
The Book on the Boilermakers
At First Glance: Purdue (6-4) takes a six-game win streak into the FGCU Four Points By Sheraton Classic this weekend. The Boilermakers finished the 2014 season with a 27-28-1 overall record, falling in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament. Purdue returns 11 letterwinners, including three position starters and three pitchers from that team, which earned the No. 6 seed in the tournament after posting a 13-10 record in league play and winning five of its eight conference series. Head coach Kim Schuette is in her second season with the Boilermakers.
Last Time Out: The Boilermakers went 5-0 en route to the FIU Invitational title in Miami last weekend. Purdue topped Long Island 7-6 and 12-0, Memphis 10-2 and Florida International 8-1 and 8-0 to extend their win streak to six games.
Statistically Speaking: First baseman Ashley Burkhardt, catcher Kaylah Hampton and outfielder Maya Hughes lead the team at the plate with better than .400 averages. Burkhardt (.469) has driven in a team-best 15 RBI, scored nine runs, swiped seven bases and launched five home runs. Hampton (.423) has nine RBI, six runs, four homers and seven walks. Hughes is batting .419 with a double, five runs and seven stolen bases. Third baseman CJ Parsons (.333), outfielder Kristen Hoppman (.308). Pitcher/DP Alex Whittemore (.364) and designated player Katie Harrison (.278) also have contributed to the offense in limited action. Parsons boasts six runs, a double and an inside the park home run, Hoppman has three doubles and four runs to her credit. Whittemore has four hits, including a double and a home run, while Harrison has five hits including a double. As a team, the Boilers are batting .312 with 11 home runs and 17 stolen bases.
In the circle, the Boilermaker pitchers are holding foes to a .203 average. Junior Lilly Fecho (5-2) has posted a 1.04 ERA with 47 strikeouts and a shutout in 40.1 innings of work. Seniors Lexy Moore (1-1) and Alex Whittemore (0-1) have combined for 10 strikeouts in 20 innings. Freshman Gina Snyder has struck out three batters in three and two thirds innings.
Burkhardt is the team's top returning hitter after batting .346 with a team-best 43 RBI, 33 runs, 13 doubles and 10 home runs in 2014. The team must replace six players that hit .244 or better last season. Outfielder Lexi Valone (.267), infielder Mary Gooding (.217), Hoppman (.206), Parsons (.200) and infielder Paris Andrew (.190) are all primed to step into key positions. Andrew registered six doubles and 12 runs while starting 47 games, while Hoppman started chipped in four-extra base hits and 10 RBI in 40 starts. The team also will have help from five new members, including junior college All-American Katie Harrison, who batted .440 with 86 RBI and 24 home runs at Chipola College last season. Purdue batted .297 with 41 home runs and 63 stolen bases in 2014.
In the circle, the Purdue staff combined for 281 strikeouts in 361 innings. Lilly Fecho (21-16) did the bulk of the pitching, striking out 196 batters in 223 innings, including 28 complete games. Lexy Moore (4-9) added 53 Ks in 76 innings, while Alex Whittemore (2-2) issued 21 Ks in 45 innings, including a complete-game no-hitter. The lone departure is senior Lauren Grant, who struck out 11 batters in 16 innings. The staff adds rookie Gina Snyder, a four-time All-Southern Arizona and All-D1 selection from Tucson's Sahuaro High School.
What a Difference a Win Makes ...
If the Boilermakers top Oakland on Friday ...
- They will extend their current win streak to seven games, matching their longest win streak of the 2014 season (March 16-28).
- They will move to 2-0 all-time against the Golden Grizzlies.
- They will move to 132-109-1 all-time in the month of February, including 11-2 on Feb. 20.
- It would move the team's record to 263-190-1 all-time in neutral site non-conference games.
Series Information
Oakland (Purdue leads the series 1-0): The Boilermakers won the lone previous meeting with the Golden Grizzlies with a 9-1 victory on March 24, 2002, at the Boilermaker Invitational in West Lafayette.
Florida Gulf Coast (Purdue leads the series 1-0): The Boilermakers edged the Eagles 3-2 in eight innings in the lone previous meeting on March 16, 2011, in Fort Myers, Fla.
Stony Brook: This is the first meeting between the Boilermakers and the Seawolves.
Bethune Cookman (Purdue leads the series 3-1): The Boilermakers won the first three meetings in the series which began on Feb. 8, 2002, at the Triple Crown Invitational in St. Augustine, Fla. Purdue took a second meeting in 2002 and one in 2006, but the Wildcats edged the Boilers 3-2 in eight innings on March 15, 2009, at the Florida Atlantic Tournament in Boca Raton, Fla.
Getting To Know The Golden Grizzlies
At First Glance: The Oakland Golden Grizzlies return to action in Fort Myers, this weekend after taking last weekend off. Oakland returns 12 letterwinners, including four starters and four pitchers, from the 2014 team, which posted a 16-23 record, and finished seventh in Horizon League play. The Grizzlies are coached by Connie Miner, who is in her third season with the team.
Last Time Out: Oakland posted a 2-3 record at the Pirate Classic in Greenville, N.C., Feb. 6-8. The Grizzlies topped Delaware State twice (5-4 (10), 12-0), and fel to East Carolina State twice (7-3, 9-1) and Longwood (5-0).
Statistically Speaking: Outfielder Courtnee Johnson (.417), shortstop Sarah Hartley (.412), first baseman Sara Cupp (.400) and outfielder Rae Beadlescomb (.375) led the Oakland bats on opening weekend. Three other players - catcher TJ Bindus (.286), designated player Julia Morales (.273) and utility player Jackie Kisman (.267) - batted over .250. Cupp has driven in a team-best five RBI and is one of three players with a double to her credit. Morales and Hartley have accounted for four RBI apiece, while Hartley also has scored a team-best seven runs. Kisman has scored four runs and swiped three bases. As a team, Oakland is batting .254 with three doubles and eight steals.
Five pitchers have seen action for the Grizzlies. Junior Laura Pond (1-0) has struck out eight batters in 10 innings, while sophomore Kaley Waalkes (0-0) has issued four Ks in seven innings. Junior Erin Kownacki (1-1) has sturck out five batters in five innings and pitched a shutout. Senior Kayla Hensel has added three strikeouts in six innings, while freshman Haley Zemmer has struck out two batters in two innings. The staff boasts a 4.74 ERA and has allowed opponents a .331 average.
Kisman (.345) is Oakland's top returning batter from 2014, having posted 38 hits, nine steals and 12 runs. Johnson (.296), utility player Morgan Muron (.272) and Hartley (.258) also return. Johnson drove in 11 RBI, scored 14 runs and tallied four doubles. Muron scored 18 runs, drove in 12 RBI and added six doubles, four triples and a home run. Hartley scored 16 runs, stole 13 bases, drove in 11 RBI and had five extra-base hits. In the circle, Kownacki (7-14) struck out 103 batters in 122 innings and tossed three shutouts. Walkes (8-5) issued 48 Ks in 91 innings, including a shutout. Pond threw 20 strikeouts in 25 innings and Hansel threw just one and a third innings.
Facts About Florida Gulf Coast
At First Glance: The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (4-6) open their home season this weekend, playing host to the Four Points by Sheraton Invitational . FGCU returns seven letterwinners, including four four starters and two pitchers, from the 2014 team which went 33-26-1 and finished sixth in Atlantic Sun Conference play. The Eagles are coached by Davis Deiros, who is in his 13th year with the team.
Last Time Out: The Eagles went 2-3 at the USF President's Day Weekend Tournament in Tampa last weekend. FGCU topped Detroit 12-2 and St. John's 2-1, but fell to No. 11 Tennessee 9-0, Forham 11-1 and USF 11-0.
Statistically Speaking: Outfielder Makensie McAvoy (.464) leads a group of six players batting .250 or better. Shortstop Alexis Ross (.412), outfielder Kelsey Huff (.357), outfielder Kelsey Carpenter (.304), outfielder Carissa LiCata (.300) and first baseman Brianne Innamorato (.250) follow. Designated player Chandler Middlebrook (.192) has drive in a team-best seven RBI and launched two home runs. Ross has added five RBI, while Crpernter has driven in four RBI and scored a team-best seven runs. McAvoy and LiCata each has scored six runs. LiCata has swiped a team-best five bases, while Huff and Carpenter each have stolen three bases. As a team, FGCU is batting .243 with four home runs and 15 steals.
Four players have split time in the circle. Freshman Gabbee Draney (1-2) has struck out 11 batters in 17.1 innings, while junior Ashley Dobson (1-1) has issued 11 Ks in 10 innings. Senior Shelby Morgan (1-1) has struck out six batters in 16 innings, while sophomore Taylor Wade has struck out five in 13 innings and recorded one save. The staff has allowed foes a .323 average and six home runs.
In 2014, Carpenter boasted a team-best .432 average with 51 RBI, 47 runs, 10 doubles, 10 home runs and 10 steals. McAvoy (.263), Ross (.245) and second baseman Jeanie Verderese (.237) also return. McAvoy posted 26 runs and 10 RBI, while Ross added 30 RBI, 20 runs and 16 extra-base hits. Verderese scored 15 runs and posted nine doubles and two triples. In the circle, Morgan (13-9) struck out 52 batters in 148 innings with five shutouts and four saves, while Wade (4-4) added 14 Ks in 58 innings with two saves.
Scouting Stony Brook
At First Glance: The Stony Brook Seawolves kick off their 2015 campaign in Fort Myers, Fla., this weekend. Stony Brook returns 10 letterwinners, including six starters and two pitchers, from the 2014 team, which posted a 34-18 record and won the America East Conference regular season title. The Seawolves are coached by Megan Bryant, who is in her 15th year with the team.
Last Time Out: The Seawolves wrapped up the 2014 season with a pair of losses to Albany in the America East Championship series.
Statistically Speaking: Catcher Alexandra Pisciotta is the team's top returning batter after posting a .405 average with 16 RBI, 11 runs and four home runs in 30 games in 2014. Outfielder Bria Green (.308), outfielder Shayla Giosia (.301), catcher/infielder Melissa Phelan (.26(0 and infielder Kellie Reynolds (.255) also are back. Green drove in a team-best 47 RBI, scored 35 runs and swiped 11 bases, while tallying 24 extra-base hits, including 16 home runs. Giosia drove in 38 RBI, stole 11 bases and accounted for 14 doubles and four home runs. Phelan scored 15 runs and drove in 10 RBI, while Reynolds managed 17 runs, eight RBI and four doubles. As a team, Stony Brook batted .279 with 36 home runs and 41 stolen bases.
Senior Allison Cukrov (23-9) and junior Jane Sallen (11-9) threw all but one inning a year ago. Cukrov issued 187 strikeouts, threw eight shutouts and earned three saves in 213 innings of work, while sporting a 2.10 ERA. Sallen struck out 50 batters and tossed three shutouts in 127 innings. The staff allowed opponents to hit at a .230 clip with 23 home runs.
A Bit About Bethune-Cookman
At First Glance: The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats hit the road for the third straight weekend after travelling to Mt. Pleasant, S.C., and Jacksonville, Fla., to start the 2015 season. B-C returns 10 letterwinners, including seven starters and two pitchers, from the 2014 team, which posted a 25-31 record and won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular season title. The Wildcats are coached by Lauren Watten, who is in her first year with the team.
Last Time Out: The Wildcats went 2-3 at the Jacksonville University Invitational last weekend, topping Akron (8-5) and Jacksonville (6-3) to start the tournament, but falling to Syracuse (5-4), Akron (8-0) and Jacksonville (3-2) to wrap up the weekend.
Statistically Speaking: Shortstop Sophia Ortega (.382), catcher Geena Capitini (.350), first baseman Nereyda Gutierrez (.333) and outfielder Calesha Shelley (.306) led the Wildcat bats. Ortego has scored a team-best seven runs, while also adding seven RBI, four doubles and a home run. Capitini has accounted for seven RBI and two home runs, while Gutierrez has posted a team-best eight RBI and three doubles. Shelley has scored six runs and tallied two triples and two stolen bases. Outfielder Shamaria Engram (.276), outfielder Mariah Davis (.265) and second baseman Kaitlin Alamprese (.250) also are batting .250 or better. Shelley and Davis have scored six runs apiece, while Engram has added a home run. As a team, Bethune-Cookman is batting .274 with four home runs and seven stolen bases.
In the circle, sophomore Sabrina Anguiano (1-7) has done the bulk of the pitching, strikin gout 30 in 46 innings. Sophomore Connor Bailey (1-1) has added seven Ks in 17 innings. The staff has allowed foes to hit at a .311 clip.
In 2014, Shelley (.351) and catcher Melissa Berouty (.330) led the BCU bats. Shelley scored a team-best 43 runs, stole 26 bases and tallied six doubles and three triples. Alamprese (.266) and Connor (.258) also batted .250 or better. Alamprese drove in a team-best 39 RBI and launched five home runs. In the circle, Anguiano (13-17) struck out 113 batters, tossed two shutouts and earned a save in 209 innings. Connor (12-13) struck out 116 batters and threw five shutouts in 161 innings. The pair pitched all but three innings for the Wildcats.
A Tough Slate
The Boilermakers will face tough foes in 2014, including nine teams ranked or receiving votes in the preseason Top 25. Purdue will play 10 games against the Top 25: No. 15 Minnesota and No. 18 Nebraska three times each, No. 6 Kentucky, No. 7 UCLA, No. 13 Tennessee and No. 24 Texas A&M. The team also will take on vote-getters in Cal State Fullerton, Northwestern (three times) and Wisconsin (three times) boosting the tally to 17 games against ranked foes or those receiving votes.
The Boilermakers will play against 12 teams that participated in last year's NCAA Regionals and six teams that ended the year in the NFCA Top 25. Four of Purdue's foes went on to the Super Regionals, while No. 6 Kentucky competed in the Women's College World Series.
The Boilermakers will face three opponents for the first time in program history, taking on Memphis at the FIU Invitational, Stony Brook at the FGCU/Four Points by Sherton Invitational and Saint Joseph's at the Michelle Smith Spring Break Tournament.
Big Ten Honors
Senior Ashley Burkhardt and freshman Maya Hughes were named Big Ten Co-Player and Freshman of the Week respectively for their efforts at the FIU Invitational in Miami last weekend. The honor is the second of Burkhardt's career, following Co-Player of the Week honors on Feb. 18, 2014, and the first for Hughes.
Burkhardt had at least one hit in all five of Purdue's weekend victories including four home runs, a team-best 11 RBI and eight runs. She batted .588 with a 1.353 slugging percentage, including two three two-hit efforts and a 3-for-4 performance. The first baseman swiped a school record tying three bases in the weekend opener against Long Island, while going 2-for-2 with two RBI and a home run. Against Florida International, the senior had three hits, including a home run and two runs scored. On Saturday, she went a combined 3-for-7 with seven RBI, four runs and two steals in wins over Memphis and LIU. The Fort Wayne, Ind., native wrapped up the weekend going 2-for-4 with a double against FIU. Burkhardt has now posted a hit in seven straight games.
Hughes led the Boilermaker bats with a .667 average, .706 on-base percentage and six steals as Purdue won the all five of its games at the FIU Invitational. The rookie had 10 hits in 15 at-bats, including three two-hit efforts and a three-hit day. She scored five runs and drove in four RBI, while tying the Purdue game-record for steals with three against Memphis on Saturday. The outfielder went 2-for-3 against Florida International, Memphis and Long Island, and posted a 3-for-4 effort on Sunday against FIU. The Nolensville, Tenn., native drove in the game-winning RBI against Florida International on Friday.
Inside-the-Parker
Junior third baseman CJ Parsons lifted a fly ball to left field against Memphis on Feb. 14 and kept rounding the bases after the left field crashed into the wall and was unable to recover to get the ball in, crossing the plate with an inside-the-park home run. Tori Chiodo (2011-2014) had an inside-the-parker against San Diego State on March 11, 2012. Chiodo lifted a fly ball into center field, which ricocheted off the glove of the right fielder and rolled all the way to the fence as Chiodo rounded the bases.