MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—The softball team hosts the Lynn Fighting Knights this weekend in the final regular Sunshine State Conference series.
GAMES 40-42: Barry (22-17, 14-7 SSC) vs. Lynn (15-30-1, 14-6-1 SSC) | Friday 6:00 pm | Saturday 1:00 pm (DH)
COVERAGE: Stats: Game 1 – Game 2 – Game 3 | Watch
SERIES: The Bucs lead the all-time series 48-15, though the Knights have won three of the last five. Between 2006 and 2012, Barry won 21 of 23.
THE YOUNG: Freshmen Anieliese Palmeiro, Lynsey Duncan and Same Busekrus have all played keys roles for the Bucs this season. Palmeiro leads the team in games pitched (26), innings (113.2) and ERA (2.40). Duncan, lately the everyday DP, is second in batting (.390), leads the team in triples and is among the leaders in doubles (8) and RBI (17), despite having only 77 at-bats. Busekrus has started all but one game at second base. She is third in batting (.389) and is tied with Duncan for fourth with 17 RBI.
THE OLD: The senior class continues to be the backbone of the team. Outfielders Kayla Ogle and Megan Copeland have started every game in center and left respectively as has shortstop Ashley Fernandez. Dee Espinosa has also started every game between catcher, first base and DP. Kristina Pazienza and Lexi Corrente have split duties at third, while Alexis Kent has served as the backup at catcher.
SETTING THE TABLE: Kayla Ogle, who was named Comeback Athletic at The Buckys on Tuesday, is putting together an MVP-type season at the top of the Buccaneer order. She leads the league in on-base percentage (.517) and runs scored (41) and is second in stolen bases (34). Her on-base percentage is in line to be the second-best in school history and her .421 batting average would be good for fifth.
CHASING RECORDS: A number of Bucs have a chance to etch their names in the Barry record books this weekend. Copeland is currently in the top-10 of 10 different career categories, including runs scored (t-3rd, 137), hits (4th, 221), stolen bases (t-4th, 78), batting average (6th, .370) and on-base percentage (7th, .426). Ogle, heading into the last three games, is trying to be the first Buccaneer to hit .400 for her career, currently batting .401. She is also 1st in on-base percentage (.503) and 3rd in stolen bases (80). Espinosa, who is three at-bats short of the 250 minimum, could set the record for slugging where she currently carries a .696 average. The record is just .645. She is also tied for 8th in doubles (38), and 6th in home runs. Defensively, she is second in runners picked off (11) and third in runners caught stealing (29). Her stolen base allowed percentage is fourth-best all time.
