SFA Begins Five-Game Homestand Wednesday
4/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Stephen F. Austin vs. Louisiana-Monroe
Game One: Wednesday, April 15 · 2:00 p.m.
Game Two: Wednesday, April 15 · 4:00 p.m.
SFA Softball Field · Nacogdoches, Texas
Live Stats: Game One · Game Two
SFA All-Access: Game One · Game Two
Records: SFA (15-26, 7-10 SLC), ULM (25-15, 9-7 Sun Belt)
First Pitch
Fresh of its first Southland Conference sweep of the season, the Stephen F. Austin softball team will look to carry that recent success into a Wednesday doubleheader against the University of Louisiana at Monroe on Wednesday afternoon at SFA Softball Field. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. with game two starting approximately 30 minutes following the conclusion of game one. 
Series History
The Warhawks are a familiar opponent for the Ladyjacks, as the two clashed in Southland Conference action regularly up until just a few years ago. The two teams have met 88 times with the series history dead even at 44-44. ULM got the better of SFA twice in 2012 -- both in eight-inning affairs -- and have won three straight in the series overall. 
Last Time Out
The Ladyjacks are coming off a huge SLC sweep on the road against Abilene Christian last weekend. The Ladyjack bats fueled the winning effort, as SFA posted 40 runs, 10 home runs and batted .422 (43-for-102) as a team over the span. On Friday alone, the Ladyjacks launched seven homers, three of which came off the bat of Katelyn Standley while Shalie Day added two more. SFA won the first game 12-4 and held off a late rally by ACU to win 14-13 in the nightcap. Taylor Fraccastoro and Brittany Lewis accounted for three more dingers for SFA in Saturday's 14-7 victory to close the series. 
Frac Attack
Freshman Taylor Fraccastoro has continued to be a huge bright spot for the Ladyjacks this season. The catcher is coming off of her best game of the season, popping off two home runs in Saturday's game against ACU, including a grand slam in the seventh inning to seal the victory. She ended the game 2-for-4 with three runs, seven RBI, two homers and a walk. Fraccastoro has gone deep a team-best nine times this year. 
Big Play Day
Shalie Day was one of the central figures responsible for SFA's offensive explosion last weekend. In four games played overall on the week (all wins), Day hit .667 (8-for-12) with five runs, two doubles, two home runs, eight RBI and four walks. She also compiled a staggering 1.333 slugging percentage and a .765 on base percentage. In the second game against ACU on Friday, Day went a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate, scoring two runs, hitting two doubles and a home run and recording five RBI. She was awarded SFA's first SLC Hitter of the Week award for the 2015 season for her efforts.
Staff Ace
Freshman Callee Guffey has been a workhorse for the Ladyjacks this season. Last week the right-hander threw 16.0 innings and appeared in all five games, making one start. Her control on the week was suburb, displayed by her 16 strikeouts compared to just four walks. Overall on the season, she ranks ninth in the league with a 3.37 ERA and is second with a 5.62 strikeouts per game average.
Road Warriors
The Ladyjacks have had their fair share of road games this season, playing a league-high 24 contests away from home compared to a league-low seven games on their home turf. SFA is currently 7-17 on the road with just one more SLC road stint remaining and is 4-3 at home.
Homer Count
Entering last week, the Ladyjacks had hit just 17 home runs in 36 games on the season. Last week alone, SFA launched 11 in just five games to push the 2015 total to 28. Here is a look at the updated homer count:
9 -- Taylor Fraccastoro
8 -- Brittany Lewis
5 -- Shalie Day
4 -- Katelyn Standley
1 -- Autumn Holloway
1 -- Taylor LeFlore
Playoff Push
With just six teams invited to the 2015 SLC Tournament from May 7-9, the Ladyjacks still have some work to do to get into the sixth and final spot. After last weekend's sweep, SFA sits in eighth with a 7-10 SLC record, just 2.5 games back of Nicholls in sixth. The Ladyjacks have won five of their last six league games and are carrying a lot of momentum into the home stretch.
A Look at the Warhawks
While ULM has a solid overall record of 25-15 this season, the team has hit a small bump in the road during the last couple weeks. Over the last eight games dating back to March 31, the Warhawks are just 1-7. Six of the losses, however, have come by four runs or fewer and three came after going into extra innings. Rochelle Roberts, Alexis Cacioppo and Vanessa Garcia lead the team offensively as all three are batting over .361 for the year. Melanie Coyne is the staff ace, posting a 3.05 ERA over 112.1 innings pitched.
Looking Ahead
Following the midweek, non-conference doubleheader, SFA will get back after it in SLC play, hosting Incarnate Word at SFA Softball Field for a three-game series on Friday and Saturday.
-SFA-
