Virginia Slate of Games On Tap for Ohio - OHIOBOBCATS.COM

Virginia Slate of Games On Tap for Ohio
`Cats to face Longwood, Lehigh twice each Saturday and Sunday

Ohio takes on Longwood and Lehigh this weekend.

Feb. 26, 2010

ATHENS, Ohio - After an early-week change of plans, weekend three finds Ohio softball heading to Farmville, Va. for two games apiece with both Lehigh and host Longwood Saturday and Sunday. The `Cats will open action with Lehigh, an NCAA Regionals qualifier last season, at 1 p.m.

ON TAP FOR THE `CATS
The `Cats will play two games apiece with Lehigh and Longwood over the weekend. Ohio will be meeting Lehigh for the first time in program history, while facing Longwood for the second time. The two last met on the diamond March 22, 2005, a 3-1 win for the Green and White.

Saturday, Feb. 27
Ohio vs. Lehigh - 1 p.m.
Ohio vs. Longwood - 3 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 28
Ohio vs. Lehigh - 11 a.m.
Ohio vs. Longwood - 3 p.m.

SCOUTING LEHIGH
An NCAA Regionals qualifier two of the last four years, the Mountain Hawks will be opening their season this weekend. Lehigh was picked to win both the Patriot League regular season and tournament championships this year after posting a 38-18-1 mark last season. The Mountain Hawks hit .302 as a team last season, including five players at a .300 clip or better. Despite losing three of those players, Lehigh still boasts a solid sophomore duo in first baseman Julie Fernandez and short stop Jennifer Colquhoun. Fernandez was the Patriot League Rookie of the Year last season and hit .382 with 19 extra-base hits, including 14 doubles and four homers, and 31 RBI. Colquhoun returns after hitting .318 with 29 RBI last year. Senior Tiffany Curtis is the team's leading returning pitcher, going 14-6 with a 2.82 ERA and 113 strikeouts last season... Fran Troyan is in his 15th season at the helm of the program.

SCOUTING LONGWOOD
Longwood enters the weekend 4-4 on the season, after splitting a doubleheader with Towson last time out. The Lancers also have wins over Quinnipiac, Fordham and Morehead State this season. Longwood, an independent, is hitting .270 on the season with five home runs. Freshman Brooke Short leads five Lancers hitting .300 or better this season. She is currently hitting .379 with two homers and seven RBI thus far. The dual player also carries a 2.23 ERA in 15.2 innings pitched. Junior second baseman Maggie Margadonna is second on the team with a .320 average. Junior Briana Wells has thrown the majority of the innings for the Longwood pitching staff and is 3-2 with a 3.41 ERA... Head coach Kathy Riley is in her 17th season at the reins of the Lancers.

FRESHMAN DOMINATES SIUE
Freshman Caitlin Colvin pretty much had her way with SIUE in Ohio's extra-inning win over the Cougars. Colvin struck out nine while scattering two hits in six innings of work in the circle. She then delivered the game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth. The Bonney Lake, Wash. native also currently leads the team with three RBI.

CLARK CONNECTS
Sara Clark hit her first home run of the season against Nebraska. Even more impressive is that she hit it off of 2008 Olympian Robin Mackey. The Ontario, Calif., native also leads the team with three doubles thus far.