MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—Sunshine State Conference softball season opens this weekend for the Buccaneers and, if the pre-season predictions and last year's results are correct, it should make for an interesting foray.
The Bucs (12-5) travel to St. Leo, Fla., to face the Saint Leo Lions (13-2) in a three-game set on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 28 and Mar. 1 at SLU's University Field.
The Bucs were picked fourth, one spot above the Lions in the pre-season poll of conference coaches, while the Lions finished fourth last year in the league, one spot above the Bucs.
"Saint Leo University is a very competitive softball program with a history of success," Barry head coach Danielle Penner said. "I expect our first softball conference series of 2015 with the Lions to be exciting and action packed."
In the early part of this season, the Bucs have had a few issues to overcome, starting with the loss of first-team All-Conference centerfielder Kayla Ogle from the leadoff slot. Megan Copeland has filled in admirably, batting .443, with a .493 on-base percentage, and 14 stolen bases in 16 attempts. She is tied for the team lead with 15 runs scored and has also driven in 10. Despite a slow start, catcher Dee Espinosa had been a power bat for the Bucs, batting .420 on the season with 11 doubles, three homers and 17 RBI. She's also walked seven times against just one strikeout. Julie Brito also got off to a slow start on the season, but hit .346 with five doubles, two homers, nine RBI and 11 runs in the last 10 games. Ashley Fernandez (.326), Kelly Martinez (.333) and Lexi Corrente (.364) have also helped the Bucs post a .338 team average and 6.0 runs per game.
Freshman Haley Wiseman has led the pitching staff, tossing 49.0 of the 111.0 innings this season and going 6-2. She has 60 strikeouts against 26 walks and is holding the opposition to a team-best .227 average. Taylor Sabol is 3-3 this season in 38.1 innings. Her 31/10 strikeout/walk ratio is the best on the team. Junior Kristina Pazienza is a perfect 3-0 in the circle, her first appearances there in her career. She leads the team in ERA at 1.48 and has giving up just 19 hits in 23.2 innings.
The Lions are led by a potent attack, batting .388 as a team. Though they haven't flashed the power or the speed of recent units, they are averaging 7.3 runs per game, thanks to that lofty average. Adriana Saunders (.591), Angela Kafalas (.550) and McKenzie Burns (.500) are all semi-regulars hitting over .500. Burns leads the team with 15 stolen bases in 17 attempts and 21 runs scored. Michelle George (.438) leads the team with 21 RBI and Cassie Boggs (.362) has eight extra-base hits to lead the team.
Alana Tabel (6-0) leads the pitching staff with a 0.76 ERA in 36.2 innings. She has 44 strikeouts against just eight walks and is holding opponents to a .180 average. Ashley Ehlers is the number two starter with a 3-2 record and 2.70 ERA and 45 strikeouts against eight walks. Amantha Tyler has been very effective out of the pen.
The Bucs hold a huge 79-25 edge in the all-time series, including a 38-11 mark in St. Leo. Since 2007, Barry has won 18 of 23 games.
Saturday's single game will be carried audio-only on the Buccaneer Broadcasting Network, while Sunday's doubleheader will be video streamed by Saint Leo, but will still be available through the Barry portal.
