BOONE, N.C. – The App State softball team returns home this week, hosting East Tennessee State in a doubleheader on Tuesday, beginning at 4 p.m. The Mountaineers look to take two non-conference wins ahead of a weekend Sun Belt series against Troy.
About the Mountaineers
App State won its second straight Sun Belt series this past weekend, defeating Georgia Southern in game two and three to take an important series win.
Georgia Southern won the first game of the weekend 11-3, snapping the Mountaineers' program record nine-game win streak. App State bounced back, winning the second game 6-3 and coming from behind to take the third game 5-2.
Sydney Holland played a key role in App State's series win over Georgia Southern, recording both wins in the circle. In the game two win, Holland threw a solid five innings, allowing only three runs on two hits, striking out one. Only two of the runs given up were earned. In the series clinching game three win, the 5th year senior came on in relief in the third, pitching five scoreless innings to receive the win. She gave up four hits and one walk in the victory. Holland ended the weekend giving up just six hits and two earned runs, with a 1.40 ERA. She is now 7-4 on the season.
Gabby Buruato has been one of App State's most consistent at the plate, posting a .500 average last weekend at Georgia Southern. The 5th year senior recorded two hits in the first game and three in the second, including her third triple of the season, tied for the top of the Sun Belt leader board. Along with her RBI and run scored, Buruato ended the weekend with a .500 on base percentage and .700 slugging percentage to lead the team.
Senior Leadership
Along with Buruato and Holland, App State's six 5
th year seniors have played a key role in the Mountaineers' success this season. Pitcher
Kenzie Longanecker continues to find herself ranked at the top of the Sun Belt, ranking 7
th in both ERA (2.26) and strikeouts (57). Third baseman
Keri White, shortstop
Caylie Kifer and second baseman
Sidney Russell anchor the Mountaineer infield that has turned 23 double plays this season, compared to only seven by their opponents. Russell and White also rank among App State's top hitters, hitting .290 and .270, respectively.
Scouting ETSU
The Bucs enter Tuesday's matchup looking to snap a nine-game losing streak. ETSU sits at 13-17 on the season, including a 1-11 mark in Southern Conference play. Lilly Holston is batting .364 to lead the Bucs as she is tied with Julia Fritz for the most hits on the team with 28. Holston is second on the squad in RBIs with 16, tied with Lili Bowen. The freshman outfielder also leads the squad in runs scored with 16. Kelly Schmidt has seen the most time in the circle, hurling 96.2 inning of work with a 1.96 ERA and a 7-7 overall mark.
