Softball Hosts Siena In Non-Conference Doubleheader Friday

Scouting the Saints
Siena is currently on a three-game losing streak, posting a 3-20 overall record for the 2010 season with an 0-2 record in the MAAC. The Saints most recently lost both games in a doubleheader at Binghamton on Mar. 31. Freshman shortstop Shannon Jones leads the team offensively as she bats .387 through 22 games played, with 24 hits and nine RBI on the year. Sophomore RHP Amanda Filippazzo has seen the most time in the circle for the Saints this season, posting a 5.57 ERA in 18 appearances with 53 strikeouts.

March Maven
Sophomore RHP Heather Schwartzburg (Mission Viejo, Calif.) was recently named the Quinnipiac University March Female Athlete of the Month. Schwartzburg earns the recognition after posting a .082 ERA in 15 appearances throughout the month, pitching eight complete games. In 77 innings pitched in March, Schwartzburg allowed just 10 runs on 38 hits while striking out 121 batters. She matched her career-high for strikeouts in a single game on Mar. 9 against Toledo when the right-hander fanned 16 batters in the nine-inning contest. Also during the month, Schwartzburg was named the Akadema/Northeast Conference Pitcher of the Week for two consecutive weeks, the only NEC player to do so this season.

Last Season Against Siena
The Bobcats and the Saints last met for a doubleheader on April 30, 2009 in Loudonville, N.Y. Quinnipiac won both games in the match-up, earning a 5-0 win followed by an 11-5 victory. Senior center fielder Angela Casella (Oceanside, N.Y.) led the team offensively with seven RBI and five doubles on the day.

Hitting Her Stride
In her final season with the Bobcats, senior Katie Allendorfer (Glenside, Pa.) has been a strong offensive source for the team. Allendorfer has started all 26 games for Quinnipiac this season, and leads the team in several offensive categories. In 81 plate appearances, the senior has tallied 13 RBI and 17 hits, ranking first and second in those categories, respectively. Allendorfer also leads the team in doubles (4), homeruns (2) and total bases (27). She also contributes when on base, as she ranks third on the team in runs scored with 10.

What a Steal
As a team, Quinnipiac ranks third amongst the eleven teams in the Northeast Conference in stolen bases. The Bobcats have stolen 23 bases in 28 attempts on the year, with freshman Lauren Salgado (Covina, Calif.) leading the team with seven stolen bases in as many attempts, ranking second in the NEC in that category. Four other players on the team: Alex Murray (Milford, Mass.), Heather Maffeo (Milton, Mass.), Joelle Jacobsen (Flemington, N.J.) and Alex Alba (Sylmar, Calif.), have stolen two bases apiece this season.

Pack of Pitchers
The Bobcats' pitching arsenal of Schwartzburg, Alba, Emily Bellush (Newton, Mass.), and Jaimie Iaquinto (Dix Hills, N.Y.) are proven difficult to hit as the team ranks first in opposing batting average (.222) in the NEC. The Bobcats also lead the conference in batters struck out (178), led by Schwartzburg's 142 K's.

Willing to Sacrifice
Quinnipiac also ranks atop the conference in sacrifice bunts with 26. The Bobcats rank second in this category, just two sac bunts behind Long Island. Senior third baseman Kelly Wall (Westport, Conn.) leads the team in the category, with six sacrifice hits on the year. Allendorfer is right behind with four on the year.

Playing the Field
In addition to their strong team play at the plate and from the circle, the Bobcats also rank amongst the best in the conference in team fielding percentage. The team posts a collective .957 fielding percentage on the year, ranking second in the NEC.