SFA Heads to LSU for Purple & Gold Challenge
2/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Stephen F. Austin vs. Florida Atlantic
Friday, Feb. 27 • 10:00 a.m.
Tiger Park • Baton Rouge, La.
Records: SFA (5-6), FAU (13-1)
Stephen F. Austin at No. 7 LSU
Friday, Feb. 27 • 5:00 p.m.
Tiger Park • Baton Rouge, La.
Records: SFA (5-6), LSU (16-0)
Stephen F. Austin vs. Florida Atlantic
Saturday, Feb. 28 • 10:00 a.m.
Tiger Park • Baton Rouge, La.
Records: SFA (5-6), FAU (13-1)
Stephen F. Austin vs. Ball State
Saturday, Feb. 28 • 12:30 p.m.
Tiger Park • Baton Rouge, La.
Records: SFA (5-6), Ball State (6-8)
Stephen F. Austin at No. 7 LSU
Sunday, March 1 • 11:30 a.m.
Tiger Park • Baton Rouge, La.
Records: SFA (5-6), LSU (16-0)
Opening Pitch
The Stephen F. Austin softball team will face some of the nation's top talent when it heads to Baton Rouge, Louisiana this weekend for the Purple and Gold Challenge hosted by LSU at Tiger Park. The Ladyjacks will play five games against three teams with a combined record of 35-9.
Among the Best
The Ladyjacks will get two games against No. 7 LSU and two games against Florida Atlantic - a team receiving five votes in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Softball Poll - this weekend. The Tigers are receiving one first place vote in the polls as of Feb. 24.
Projected Starters
Four different Ladyjacks could see action in the circle during any of the five games this weekend. A look at SFA's top four hurlers:
Makayla Sikes (1-3, 3.49 ERA) - 5 GS, 4 CG, 28.1 IP, 33 H, 15 R, 11 ER, 15 K
Callee Guffey (2-2, 4.40 ERA) - 4 GS, 3 CG, 28.2 IP, 28 H, 17 R, 14 ER, 23 K
Hannah Welch (1-0, 8.10 ERA) - 2 GS, 1 CG, 10.0 IP, 16 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 3 K
Brittany Lewis (1-1, 4.32 ERA) - 2 G, 8.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 K
A Look at the Owls
2015: 13-1 overall • Receiving five votes in USA Today/NFCA Division I Poll
The Florida Atlantic softball team has started the season red hot, winning 13 of its first 14 games. The Purple and Gold Challenge will be the first road trip of the season for the Owls as the squad has hosted three tournaments to start the year. The lone loss for FAU on the season came against Kansas on Feb. 7 in a one-run game (7-6). Since then, the Owls have won 12 straight. Quality wins in 2015 include Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Penn State, Tulsa, Michigan State (twice) and Maryland.
A Look at the Tigers
2015: 16-0 overall • Ranked seventh in USA Today/NFCA Division I Poll
The Purple and Gold Challenge will be the third tournament hosted by LSU this season, as the Tigers were winners of their previous two. The Tigers have earned quality wins over No. 20 Notre Dame (twice), No. 13 Arizona, Nebraska and Northwestern during their 16-game winning streak to start the season. LSU currently has six players averaging at least .348 at the plate on the year with three averaging above .421. All four pitchers used own an ERA under 1.50.
A Look at the Cardinals
2015: 6-8 overall
The Cardinals come into the tournament with a four-game losing streak and a 6-8 record overall. Ball State started the year by winning three of four in Belmont at the Lipscomb Music City Classic but has since dropped seven of its last 10 contests. The MAC school played Southland Conference foe and SFA rival Sam Houston State on Feb. 20 and won 8-0 in five innings. The game marked the last win for the Cardinals.
Last Time Out
The Ladyjacks are coming off a huge 15-3 victory over Texas Southern on Feb. 18 in the 2015 home opener at SFA Softball Field. All nine SFA starters got a hit in the offensive outburst as Brittany Lewis, Alisa Hamilton and Katelyn Standley each knocked two hits. Senior Shalie Day hit her second home run of the year - a two-run bomb in the first inning - to get things going, before the game really opened up in the fourth. The Ladyjacks tallied a season-high 11 runs on eight hits in the frame to build a 15-3 lead. Freshman pitcher Makayla Sikes closed the game out in the circle to get her first collegiate winning decision.
Offensive Firepower
Sophomore Brittany Lewis leads SFA in several offensive categories this season. The designated player/pitcher/infielder owns a team-high .438 batting average through the first 11 games. Her two homers tie Shalie Day and Taylor Fraccastoro for the team lead while her 11 RBI is the best total on the team.
Freshmen Stepping Up
The Ladyjacks have gotten great production from the freshmen on the team early this season. Pitchers Makayla Sikes and Callee Guffey have combined to start nine of the team's 11 games. Sikes holds the best ERA (3.49) while Guffey's 23 strikeouts is a team-best. At the plate, Taylor Fraccastoro has displayed some pop in the early going with two homers, seven RBI and a .280 batting average.
Rained Out
SFA's first true road game of the season set for Wednesday night at Louisiana Tech was postponed due to wet conditions earlier this week. The game will be made up on Tuesday, April 28 at 6:00 p.m. in Ruston, Louisiana.
Looking Ahead
Following the Purple and Gold Challenge this weekend, SFA will return home for games against North Texas (March 4) and Prairie View A&M (March 5) at SFA Softball Field.
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