The University of Akron Athletics
Softball Set to Begin Highly-Anticipated 2009 Season
February 06 | Softball
AKRON, Ohio-Ready to begin the 2009 campaign, The University of Akron softball team will open its season Saturday at the Hornet Invitational Tournament hosted by Alabama State University in Montgomery, Ala.
Scheduled to play four games, the Zips will take on the
University of Tennessee at Martin at 11:00 a.m. immediately
followed by a game against the tournament host. On Sunday the Zips
will start the day with a contest against ASU at 10:00 a.m.
directly following by another game versus UTM.
The Zips are led this season by a strong senior class who each contribute differently. Co-captain Lisa McLean led UA offensively in 2008 leading the team in hits (66), including 10 triples, and active batting average (.342). McLean also led the team in stolen bases with 38 setting the single-season school record.
Julie Boyes, arguably one of the strongest hitters in the league, is back this season at the designated hitter spot and will also return to the mound after a brief hiatus last season. Belting out eight home runs, she led the Zips in RBI with 41 on the year.
Cali Stratton, a starter in every game since her freshman season, will return to her right field post, Strong offensively, Stratton followed only Boyes in RBI posting 21 belting out 37 hits including five doubles and three home runs.
Amber Lowe and co-captain Jaci Brindus wrap up the senior class. Lowe will return to left field after injury ended her season last year and Brindus will continue her solid role as a utility player.
Akron finished the 2008 season with a 20-38 overall record, going 8-14 in the Mid-American Conference. The Zips ended the season with a strong showing at the MAC tournament taking number one seeded and eventual league champion, Kent State, to ten innings falling 2-3 and beating fourth seeded Miami (Ohio), 3-2, for the first tournament win since 2002.
Akron will compete in five tournaments this spring before they
open up at home on March 24 with a doubleheader against Morehead
State at Lee R. Jackson Field.
Complete results of the Hornet Invitational Tournament will be
posted daily on www.gozips.com.
