Softball Gears Up For Four Games at UNC-Wilmington
3/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The Youngstown State softball team returns to the diamond this weekend with four games at the University Area Hampton Inn Classic in Wilmington, N.C., March 7-8. Each day, the Penguins will face Norfolk State and UNC-Wilmington.
On Saturday, the Penguins will face Norfolk State at 10:30 a.m. and take on the host Seahawks at 3:30 p.m.
The following day, Youngstown State and Norfolk State will square off at 10:30 a.m. and the Penguins and UNC-Wilmington will play at 1 p.m.
About the Penguins
The Penguins are led by freshman Cali Mikovich with a .375 batting average and a two home runs. Mikovich has a five-game hitting streak and has reached base in every game this season. Through six games, Mikovich is slugging .813 with a .500 on-base percentage for a 1.313 OPS.
Junior Miranda Castiglione, the 2014 Horizon League Co-Player of the Year, is off to a strong start with a .333 batting average with two doubles and a home run. Castiglione also three stolen bases.
Stop Thief
The Penguins have been taking advantage of their overall team speed this season. The Penguins have stolen 15-of-17 bases through six games. Miranda Castiglione, sophomore Sarah Dowd and senior Kayla Haslett each have three stolen bases.
About UNCW
Now 7-4 on the season, the Seahawks won four of five games last weekend at the Seahawk Softball Spring Classic. They earned a pair of victories against North Carolina A&T along with wins over Western Carolina and Marist.
Junior pitcher/outfielder Darian Roberts is the Seahawks' leading hitter with a .421 average and ranks second on the team with six runs batted in. Freshman Sarah Davis boasts a .394 batting average with a team-high 13 hits. Davisis 4-1 record in the circle with a 1.11 earned run average and 23 strikeouts.
About Norfolk State
Norfolk State will be opening its season this weekend after having two tournaments canceled due to inclement weather. The Spartans posted a 20-24 record last year and return seven starters from last year.
Up Next
The Penguins will head to the Palmetto State to take on Charleston Southern in a doubleheader, March 10, at 11 a.m. and the College of Charleston in a doubleheader, March 11, at 4 p.m.
