The University of Akron Athletics
Softball set to play in College of Charleston Cougar Classic this weekend
February 14 | Softball
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CHARLESTON, S.C. – The University of Akron softball team heads to the College of Charleston Cougar Classic for the sixth straight season this weekend, playing five games in three days.
Friday, Feb. 15
Akron vs. James Madison, 10:00 a.m.
| Livestats
Saturday, Feb. 16
Akron vs. Towson, 6:00 p.m.
| Livestats
Akron vs. (rv/rv) Syracuse, 8:00 p.m.
| Livestats
Sunday, Feb. 17
Akron vs. East Tennessee State, 12:00 p.m.
| Livestats
Akron at College of Charleston, 4:00 p.m.
| Livestats | Video Stream (subscription required)
ZIP LINES
- Akron has played in the College of Charleston Cougar Classic for the last five-straight seasons and holds a 10-12 record against tournament opponents during that span
- The Zips went 2-2 in their season-opening weekend at the Georgia Southern Tournament, splitting with Tennessee Tech, defeating St. John's (N.Y.) and falling to tournament host and SoCon preseason favorite GSU
- Freshman Erin Seiler was named Mid-American Conference East Division Pitcher of the Week for her performance in two complete game victories, walking just three batters against 15 strikeouts in 18.1 innings of work
- All three of Rachael Ratcliffe's hits last weekend came with two outs, including a two-run home run off preseason SoCon Pitcher of the Year Sarah Purvis from Georgia Southern
- Iesha Mountain picked up right where she left off last season on the base paths, stealing three bags in three attempts over the course of the first four games
- The Zips have posted just two errors to their opponents' eight
- The CofC tournament is the second of five for the Zips before Mid-American Conference play begins on March 29
- The University of Akron softball team is in its 36th year of existence
- Head coach Julie Jones is in her seventh season with the team and holds a 142-176-1 (.445) record
- In the offseason Jones signed a three-year contract extension that will keep her at Akron through the 2015 season
- UA returns 10 letterwinners (three pitchers) from last year, eight of which have seen time as a starter, joined on the roster by seven newcomers
SCOUT TEAM
James Madison (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
- Led by first year head coach Mickey Dean (former Akron assistant coach, 2001-02)
- Finished 30-26 (15-5 CAA) in 2012
- Picked to finish second in conference in the CAA Preseason Poll
- Returns seven starters from last year's squad led by senior outfielder Jasmine Butler (.309, 33 runs, 21 stolen bases) and All-CAA performer Morgan Heath (.355, 65 hits, 33 runs)
Towson (4-1, 0-0 CAA)
- Led by 18th year head coach Lisa Smith Costello (502-440-2 overall and at TU)
- Went 4-1 in its opening weekend at the East Carolina Pirate Classic, with victories over Cleveland State twice, Ohio and Rider, and a loss to ECU
- The victory over Ohio was Costello's 500th career win
- Senior first baseman Bina Abbott named CAA Co-Player of the Week after hitting .429 (6-for-14) with seven RBI over the five games
(rv/rv) Syracuse (0-0, 0-0 Big East)
- Led by seventh year head coach Leigh Ross (429-337-2 overall, 91-46 at SU)
- Finished 2012 with a 43-16 record (17-5 Big East), advancing to the NCAA Super Regionals after defeating No. 2 Arizona State
- Receiving votes in both the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 and NFCA/USA Today Top 25 polls (finished last season at No. 24/23)
- First team All-Big East selection Veronica Grant returns for her senior campaign in center field after hitting .263 with 30 hits and 44 RBI and a .969 fielding percentage as a junior
East Tennessee State (0-4, 0-0 Atlantic Sun)
- Led by third year head coach Brad Irwin (26-68 overall and at ETSU)
- Went 0-4 in its opening weekend at Auburn's Plainsmen Invite, losing to Auburn, Kent State, Austin Peay and Army
- Freshman infielder Samantha Carpenter enters the weekend hitting .333 with two home runs and four RBI
College of Charleston (0-0, 0-0 SoCon)
- Led by eighth year head coach Shelly Hoerner (422-306 overall, 217-186 at CofC)
- Finished 37-23 (14-9 SoCon) last year, falling to Georgia Southern in the conference championship game
- Picked to finish third in the conference this season, returning eight positional starters and both of its regular pitchers
- Among the returners are second baseman Ashton Jarrett (.342, 34 runs, 13 stolen bases) and third baseman Kelsey Hodgson who belted 11 home runs in 2012
ON DECK
The Zips head back down to Georgia for the Kennesaw State Tournament Feb. 22-24 where they will face Troy, Campbell, (rv/rv) Virginia Tech, Georgia State and Jacksonville State.
Players Mentioned
2026 Akron Zips Softball - Post-Game Press Conference vs. LSU - Regional Game 1
Saturday, May 16
2026 Akron Zips Softball - Selection Show Comments from Head Coach Craig Nicholson - 05.10.2026
Monday, May 11
2026 Akron Zips Softball - Selection Show Comments with Student-Athletes - Madie Jamrog & Meagan Lee
Monday, May 11
2026 Akron Zips Day of Giving (Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich) - Mid Day Message
Wednesday, April 22
