BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State University softball sets to host their last conference opponent, UTA, for a three-game set April 29-30 at the Sywassink/Lloyd Family Stadium in Boone, N.C. Saturday's doubleheader will kick off at 1 p.m., and Sunday's finale will begin at noon.
The Mountaineers dropped the conference series to Troy last weekend, falling 8-3 and 5-0 in the doubleheader and slipping 7-6 in the series finale. Cara Parker turned in the best plate performance going 4-for-9 (.444) against the Trojans, registered two RBI and went for extra bases twice. Also, Haley Stewart blasted out her seventh home run of her career.
The Apps average .233 at the plate and own a 3.91 ERA with Natalie Orcutt highlighting the offensive with a .330 batting average and Kenzie Longanecker leading in the circle with a 2.28 ERA in 119.2 innings pitched.
Appalachian State looks to eclipse an 18-game skid, snatch their first conference victory of the season and continue their win streak against UTA.
SCOUTING THE MAVERICKS
• App State and UTA have duked it out on the diamond six times before, and the Mavericks have won five of those contests. The Mountaineers snagged their first victory over UTA in program history last year edging the Sun Belt Conference foe 4-3.
• The Mavericks (25-20) currently sit in the middle of the pack at fifth in the Sun Belt standings with an 11-10 record.
• After 45 ballgames, the Mavs have turned in the third-best batting average in the conference (.284) and are responsible for a 3.41 ERA (sixth-best in the conference).
• The last time out, UTA snagged their first conference sweep since 2015 over Coastal Carolina. The Mavs dominated day one downing the Chanticleers 4-3 and 2-0 in the doubleheader and capped the weekend with an 8-5 victory.
• At the plate, Krista Rude leads the offensive crew with a .358 batting average and has dealt out 49 hits, one double and ten RBI.
• UTA's Ace, Sam Clakley, sports a 2.29 ERA in 189.2 innings pitched with 111 strikeouts. In the conference, Clakley ranks eighth overall and has accumulated the second-most wins (19), innings pitched, appearances (34) and complete games (18). She also ranks seventh in strikeouts, sits fifth in shutouts (five), and third in games started (29).
• The Mavs return 14 letterwinners including eight starters and welcome ten newcomers to the squad. Last year, UTA registered a 29-20 overall record and finished seventh in the conference (8-16).
• Head Coach Kristie Fox enters her fifth year at the helm of the UTA softball program and is assisted by Andy Jarvis and Camden Decker. The Fox-led squad compiled 29 wins last year, the most victories since UTA's 30-win season in 2011, and broke the school record seizing 19-straight victories to start the 2016 season.
MARKETING PROMOTIONS
Saturday: Free Snow Cones and Mini Helmet Giveaway
Sunday: Senior Day
