Softball to Open Conference at Home against Freed-Hardeman this Weekend

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland Softball opens Mid-South Conference play this weekend as the Phoenix travel to face Freed-Hardeman in a three-game series.

Cumberland enters the weekend with a 5-9 overall record after dropping a pair of tight contests to Bryan earlier in the week. The Phoenix offense is hitting .215 as a team while producing 29 runs through the first 14 games of the season.

Hailey Donato has been one of the top hitters in the lineup for the Phoenix this season. Donato leads the team with a .300 batting average while adding two home runs and a team-high 11 RBIs. Natalie Rector has also been consistent at the plate, batting .308 with 12 hits and seven RBIs. Karley Daughrity has provided extra-base production, hitting .295 with four doubles and one home run while posting a .455 slugging percentage.

Elly Castle and Abby Chappell have also been key contributors offensively. Castle is hitting .237 with nine hits and four runs scored while Chappell has added 10 hits and three RBIs this season.

In the circle, Avery Rauscher has led the Phoenix pitching staff. Rauscher holds a 3-4 record with a 2.13 ERA across 46 innings while striking out 43 batters and holding opponents to a .249 batting average. Madison Croxford and Madison Lancaster have also seen time in the circle for Cumberland. Croxford enters the weekend with a 2-2 record and a 4.34 ERA while Lancaster has made four starts and recorded 20 strikeouts in 20.2 innings pitched with a 4.40 ERA.

Freed-Hardeman enters the series with a 5-8 overall record after splitting a doubleheader against Tennessee Southern earlier in the week. The Lions feature one of the more productive offenses in the conference, hitting .329 as a team with 64 runs and 10 home runs through 13 games.

Karli Quillin leads Freed-Hardeman offensively with a .515 batting average while recording 17 hits in just 10 games. Chloe Carter is hitting .409 with 18 hits and 12 runs scored while Lana Rowland is batting .370 with six RBIs. Myleah Hardy has provided much of the Lions' power production with five home runs and 17 RBIs while posting a .659 slugging percentage.

In the circle, Hannah Jones has been one of the primary arms for the Lions. Jones carries a 3-1 record with a 4.93 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 32.2 innings pitched. Katy Gartrell has also logged significant innings, entering the weekend with a 1-3 record and a 5.53 ERA while recording 24 strikeouts in 25.1 innings. Anna Rogers and Reagan Locke

First pitch for the series is scheduled for Friday at 2:00 p.m. CT with the teams set to close the series with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 12:00 p.m. CT.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#1 Abby Chappell: C/UT; 5' 5"; Senior

#2 Madison Croxford: RHP; 5' 5"; Senior

#21 Karley Daughrity: IF; 5' 9"; Senior

#6 Hailey Donato: OF; 5' 2"; Sophomore

#4 Madison Lancaster: RHP; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#13 Elly Castle: IF; 5' 6"; Junior

#28 Avery Rauscher: OF; 5' 4"; Freshman

#16 Natalie Rector: C/UT; 5' 7"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#1 Abby Chappell
: 5' 5"; Senior
: C/UT

#2 Madison Croxford
: 5' 5"; Senior
: RHP

#21 Karley Daughrity
: 5' 9"; Senior
: IF

#6 Hailey Donato
: 5' 2"; Sophomore
: OF

#4 Madison Lancaster
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: RHP

#13 Elly Castle
: 5' 6"; Junior
: IF

#28 Avery Rauscher
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: OF

#16 Natalie Rector
: 5' 7"; Junior
: C/UT