Islanders Start Nine-Game Road Swing at UTSA Classic

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Off to a 5-1 start, second only to a 6-0 start by the 2005 squad for the best in program history, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball team hits the road this weekend for the first time this season. The Islanders will play four games at the UTSA Classic, starting with an afternoon contest against Virginia at 3 p.m. on Friday.

LAST TIME OUT

The Islanders swept a midweek doubleheader at Chapman Field against Texas A&M-International. Liz Carter and Colleen Bentke dominated from the circle to combine for two shutouts, allowing seven hits and striking out 20, while Katie Blanar picked up her first save of the year in the opening game.

Adriana Farris and Alyson Bressie picked up their first RBI of the season in the form of game-winning runs. Bressie's single up the middle in the bottom of the seventh in the nightcap was the first walk-off of the year for the Islanders.

NOTING THE ISLANDERS

• Pitching has been a strong point for the Islanders this season. Over the last 28 innings, Carter, Bentke, Blanar and Stephanie Flores have not given up an earned run.
• Defense and pitching has had its effect on opponents' offensive production. A&M-Corpus Christi has held its foes to just .186 (8-for-43) hitting with runners in scoring position.
• The Islanders freshmen have been a part of seven of the 12 runs this season, while Cosette Hernandez has crossed the plate a team high four times.

THE TOURNAMENT

A&M-Corpus Christi will face the Cavaliers on Friday, before a doubleheader on Saturday against North Dakota at 11:30 a.m. and Tulsa at 2 p.m. The Blue and Green will wrap the road trip on Sunday with a rematch against Fighting Hawks at 9 a.m.

FRIDAY vs. THE CAVALIERS

Despite opening the season with back-to-back wins and outscoring opponents 21-4, UVA has dropped its last three contests by a collective score of 41-6.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY vs. THE FIGHTING HAWKS

North Dakota comes to southern Texas after snapping a three-game losing streak to open the season with a 1-0 win at Iowa State last weekend.

SATURDAY vs. THE GOLDEN HURRICANE

Tulsa joins A&M-Corpus Christi as the only other team with a winning record at 2 entering this weekend, as the hosts UTSA are 2-3. Jocelyn Sheffield leads the Golden Hurricane with five RBI on three hits this year.