Official standings and seeds:
#1 Kennesaw State (36-15, 14-3 A-SUN)
#2 FGCU (37-15, 12-6 A-SUN)
#3 USC Upstate (31-17, 10-6 A-SUN)
#4 Lipscomb (32-15, 9-8 A-SUN)
#5 Jacksonville (26-27, 7-10 A-SUN)
#6 Stetson (26-23, 4-13 A-SUN)
Because UNF (24-29, 4-14 A-SUN) lost the last three games of the season to FGCU, after battling for the No. 6 seed with Stetson, they are eliminated from being in the tournament.
RPI Ranking:
As of May 6, FGCU is ranked the highest in the A-SUN in RPI. Below is the ranks of all seven members' RPI of the A-SUN:
#33 FGCU
#41 KSU
#51 Lipscomb
#69 Upstate
#104 UNF
#138 JU
#165 Stetson
Should FGCU not win the conference tournament, they will likely have a very strong chance of getting an at-large bid based on their RPI. The Eagles record is currently 38-15 (.717 winning percentage).
Breakdown of the Tournament:
Let's state the obvious: only six of the seven teams can go to the conference tournament, but how the tournament is broken down is as followed:
1. The overall tournament is double-elimination. When that team loses one game, they will be sent to a losers bracket. The team(s) would need to win the rest of their games to try and avoid being eliminated. If the team loses two in the opening round and in the losers bracket, then they're eliminated from the tournament.
2. The #1 and #2 seeds (Kennesaw and FGCU) will have a first round bye on Thursday and await the winners between the #3-#6 seeds.
3. #6 seed Stetson is the host of the conference tournament.
4. This will be the last conference tournament appearance for USC Upstate.
5. If one team enters the championship game undefeated and then loses in the championship game to a team that had one loss in the game, then there will be a second championship game for the decider (if necessary).
6. Last team standing will not only win the A-SUN Conference Tournament, but will secure an automatic bid in the national tournament.
National Tournament Appearances:
All seven are as noted on make national tournament appearances. Some of the appearances are not fully clear:
Upstate: 4x ('13, '15-'17)
FGCU: 1x ('12)
Lipscomb: 1x ('10)
UNF: none
Kennesaw: none
Stetson: 5x ('86-'88, '07, '14)
Jacksonville: 1x ('11)
Last Time Out:
The Eagles faced UNF in their final series at home for the season. The Eagles clipped the wings off the Ospreys, winning 2-1, 5-0 and 2-0 completing their second conference sweep and their fifth overall sweep of the season.
Player(s) to Expect:
From a pitchers point, junior Riley Randolph has been one of the key anchors on the mound. In the series against UNF, Randolph (17-6-1, 1.64 ERA) posted two wins in the sweep with both being complete games. Randolph threw 15 innings against UNF, giving up one run on seven hits while walking two batters and striking out 13. Randolph also has 136 strikeouts in her name this season. Currently, the St. Pete native sit third for most career strikeouts (406) and is 21 away from passing Kelly Powe (426) for second all-time.
Sophomore Morgan White has also been key on the mound. Despite several no-decisions this season, White (9-2-1, 1.43 ERA) has been effective. White's 1.43 ERA is just the best of all four pitchers, but in the A-SUN too. White is also second on the team in strikeouts (72). In White's last start, she threw her a two-hit shutout against UNF with five strikeouts.
At the plate, senior Brianne Innamorato and junior Racquel Fournet have been on recent roles.
Despite batting only .141, Innamorato came in clutch in the series against UNF finishing 3-for-7 with three RBIs. Innamorato came in to pinch hit in game one and hit a game-tying home run before hitting the game-winning RBI single. Innamorato currently has three home runs and eight RBIs for the season.
Even though she only went 2-for-10 against UNF, Fournet currently leads the team with a .381 batting average with five home runs and a team-leading 32 RBIs. In addition, Fournet hit her 46th career double (third all-time) and is four away from claiming the career doubles record held by Cheyenne Jenks and Courtney Platt (49 each).
The Return of The Napalm:
Surprisingly and unexpectedly, senior Natalie Lopez returned to the lineup for the weekend series against UNF after missing 43 straight games due to a knee injury. Lopez went 1-for-5 with an RBI, a run scored and two walks in the series against UNF which of all days, took place on her 22nd birthday. Currently, Lopez has played 13 games this season and is batting .432, but it is not clear whether she will play in the conference tournament. My guess would be that she might play at least one inning of a game in the tournament, but that's yet to be determined.
A-SUN Weekly Awards and Postseason Accolades:
Randolph and Innamorato were named the final A-SUN Pitcher and Player of the Week. This was Randolph's third time this season of winning the accolade and the sixth time in her career while for Innamorato, it was her second time since May 2017.
For the postseason, five Eagles earned A-SUN postseason awards:
Randolph and Fournet were named to the A-SUN All-Conference First Team. This was the second time Randolph and Fournet earned first team honors. Fournet was listed as a utility player on the first team.
Senior Kelsey Huff was named on the A-SUN All-Conference Second Team for the second time in her career. Huff is currently batting .287 with 50 hits and nine RBIs. In addition, Huff has 20 stolen bases.
Freshmen Taylor Bauman and Farley Callaghan were named on the A-SUN All-Freshman Team. Bauman was en route to break former Cansius College pitcher Mallory Aldred's single season saves record (15), but was unable to, however, Bauman does claim a tie Aldred for the saves record. The Jacksonville native is currently 2-3 with a 1.71 ERA. Bauman's 15 saves not only lead the team and the A-SUN, but in the nation too. Callaghan finished the regular season with a .242 batting average, two home runs and seven RBIs. In addition, Callaghan also has a .956 fielding percentage.
In addition to first team honors, Fournet was named a member of the A-SUN All-Academic Team for the second time in her career as she turned in a 3.72 GPA.
Kennesaw State had 12 players win postseason awards and accolades including Freshman (Patricia Awald), Coach (Pete D'Amour) and Pitcher of the Year (sophomore Alley Cutting).
What to Expect:
FGCU will await the winner between Upstate and Stetson on May 10. Upstate and Stetson are scheduled to play May 9.
Scouting Upstate:
The Spartans are trying to defend their conference championship run for the sixth time (fourth straight). Of course, this will be the last time that they will play in the A-SUN as they will moving to the Big South Conference in the 2018-19 season.
Junior Christina Biggerstaff leads the way on the mound. Biggerstaff, who was named a member of the A-SUN All-Conference Second Team, finished the regular season 15-9 with a 1.90 ERA and 211 strikeouts, which leads the A-SUN .
Offensively, junior Ansley Gilstrap, senior Karla Beasley, and freshman Logan Morris lead the way at the plate.
Gilstrap finished the regular season with a .286 batting average, two home runs and 10 RBIs. Gilstrap also leads the team with 39 stolen bases and was named on the A-SUN All-Conference Second Team as well as the A-SUN All-Academic Team after turning in a 3.88 GPA.
Beasley finished the season batting .392 with a conference-high 15 home runs and 30 RBIs. As a result, Beasley was named A-SUN Player of the Year and a member of the A-SUN All-Conference First Team along with junior Brittany Case.
Morris was named on the A-SUN All-Freshman Team after batting .357 with 45 hits, five home runs and 39 RBIs.
During the season, the Spartans won the series 2-1. The Eagles earned the final game in the series winning 4-3.
Scouting Stetson:
As noted, Stetson will be the host of the conference and enter as the No. 6 seed. The Eagles won the series 2-1 against Stetson at home winning 2-0 and 9-5 in the first two games before falling 3-0 in the series finale. The Hatters secured the last spot in the tournament thanks to the Eagles sweep over UNF.
Junior Ashly Smith was featured as one of the best run producers in the A-SUN. Smith finished the regular season batting .396 with 59 hits, 12 doubles, four home runs and 33 RBIs. In addition, Smith was named a member of the A-SUN All-Conference Second Team.
Sophomore Molly McLaughlin, who was named a member of the A-SUN All-Academic Team, finished with a .287 batting average, 43 hits, three home runs and 32 RBIs.
Senior Maggie Fritts chipped in with a .273 batting average, eight home runs and 30 RBIs. Fritts joined Smith on the A-SUN All-Conference Second Team.
Junior Tori Perkins leads the Hatters' pitching staff with a 16-13 record, 2.66 ERA and 66 strikeouts.
Four freshman were named on the A-SUN All-Freshman Team: Kasey Fava, Devin Lewis, Lizzie Shubert and Jaime Tino.
How to Watch:
The A-SUN Conference Softball Tournament will take place May 9-12 and air on the new app: ESPN+. The app cost $4.99 a month to watch all the tournament games. Live stats will also be provided.
Fans can keep up with the A-SUN Conference Tournament via Twitter: @ASUNSoftball and the respected teams participating in the tournament:
@FGCU_Softball
@KSUOwlsSB
@LipscombSB
@UpstateSoftball
@JUSoftball
@StetsonSoftball
Upstate and host Stetson will play at 3 P.M. Lipscomb and Jacksonville will follow at 5:30 P.M. The losers of those games will go to the losers bracket.
Kennesaw and FGCU will play on Friday May 10 as they both received a bye to determine who they will play next. FGCU will await the winner between Upstate and Stetson and play at 10 A.M. while Kennesaw awaits the winner between Lipscomb and Jacksonville and will play at 12:30 P.M.
General admission for all the games is $25. For a single game, it's $10.
Fans from the participating schools that attend the game(s) with their school I.D. from any of the teams get in free of charge.
Of course I want FGCU to win, but either way, may the best team win and represent the A-SUN.
Randolph and Innamorato were named the final A-SUN Pitcher and Player of the Week. This was Randolph's third time this season of winning the accolade and the sixth time in her career while for Innamorato, it was her second time since May 2017.
For the postseason, five Eagles earned A-SUN postseason awards:
Randolph and Fournet were named to the A-SUN All-Conference First Team. This was the second time Randolph and Fournet earned first team honors. Fournet was listed as a utility player on the first team.
Senior Kelsey Huff was named on the A-SUN All-Conference Second Team for the second time in her career. Huff is currently batting .287 with 50 hits and nine RBIs. In addition, Huff has 20 stolen bases.
Freshmen Taylor Bauman and Farley Callaghan were named on the A-SUN All-Freshman Team. Bauman was en route to break former Cansius College pitcher Mallory Aldred's single season saves record (15), but was unable to, however, Bauman does claim a tie Aldred for the saves record. The Jacksonville native is currently 2-3 with a 1.71 ERA. Bauman's 15 saves not only lead the team and the A-SUN, but in the nation too. Callaghan finished the regular season with a .242 batting average, two home runs and seven RBIs. In addition, Callaghan also has a .956 fielding percentage.
In addition to first team honors, Fournet was named a member of the A-SUN All-Academic Team for the second time in her career as she turned in a 3.72 GPA.
Kennesaw State had 12 players win postseason awards and accolades including Freshman (Patricia Awald), Coach (Pete D'Amour) and Pitcher of the Year (sophomore Alley Cutting).
What to Expect:
FGCU will await the winner between Upstate and Stetson on May 10. Upstate and Stetson are scheduled to play May 9.
Scouting Upstate:
The Spartans are trying to defend their conference championship run for the sixth time (fourth straight). Of course, this will be the last time that they will play in the A-SUN as they will moving to the Big South Conference in the 2018-19 season.
Junior Christina Biggerstaff leads the way on the mound. Biggerstaff, who was named a member of the A-SUN All-Conference Second Team, finished the regular season 15-9 with a 1.90 ERA and 211 strikeouts, which leads the A-SUN .
Offensively, junior Ansley Gilstrap, senior Karla Beasley, and freshman Logan Morris lead the way at the plate.
Gilstrap finished the regular season with a .286 batting average, two home runs and 10 RBIs. Gilstrap also leads the team with 39 stolen bases and was named on the A-SUN All-Conference Second Team as well as the A-SUN All-Academic Team after turning in a 3.88 GPA.
Beasley finished the season batting .392 with a conference-high 15 home runs and 30 RBIs. As a result, Beasley was named A-SUN Player of the Year and a member of the A-SUN All-Conference First Team along with junior Brittany Case.
Morris was named on the A-SUN All-Freshman Team after batting .357 with 45 hits, five home runs and 39 RBIs.
During the season, the Spartans won the series 2-1. The Eagles earned the final game in the series winning 4-3.
Scouting Stetson:
As noted, Stetson will be the host of the conference and enter as the No. 6 seed. The Eagles won the series 2-1 against Stetson at home winning 2-0 and 9-5 in the first two games before falling 3-0 in the series finale. The Hatters secured the last spot in the tournament thanks to the Eagles sweep over UNF.
Junior Ashly Smith was featured as one of the best run producers in the A-SUN. Smith finished the regular season batting .396 with 59 hits, 12 doubles, four home runs and 33 RBIs. In addition, Smith was named a member of the A-SUN All-Conference Second Team.
Sophomore Molly McLaughlin, who was named a member of the A-SUN All-Academic Team, finished with a .287 batting average, 43 hits, three home runs and 32 RBIs.
Senior Maggie Fritts chipped in with a .273 batting average, eight home runs and 30 RBIs. Fritts joined Smith on the A-SUN All-Conference Second Team.
Junior Tori Perkins leads the Hatters' pitching staff with a 16-13 record, 2.66 ERA and 66 strikeouts.
Four freshman were named on the A-SUN All-Freshman Team: Kasey Fava, Devin Lewis, Lizzie Shubert and Jaime Tino.
The A-SUN Conference Softball Tournament will take place May 9-12 and air on the new app: ESPN+. The app cost $4.99 a month to watch all the tournament games. Live stats will also be provided.
Fans can keep up with the A-SUN Conference Tournament via Twitter: @ASUNSoftball and the respected teams participating in the tournament:
@FGCU_Softball
@KSUOwlsSB
@LipscombSB
@UpstateSoftball
@JUSoftball
@StetsonSoftball
Upstate and host Stetson will play at 3 P.M. Lipscomb and Jacksonville will follow at 5:30 P.M. The losers of those games will go to the losers bracket.
General admission for all the games is $25. For a single game, it's $10.
Fans from the participating schools that attend the game(s) with their school I.D. from any of the teams get in free of charge.
Of course I want FGCU to win, but either way, may the best team win and represent the A-SUN.
No comments:
Post a Comment