The University of Akron Athletics
Softball Opens 2013 Campaign at Eagle Round Robin
February 08 | Softball
STATESBORO, Ga. – The University of Akron softball team opens its 2013 campaign this weekend with two doubleheaders at the Eagle Round Robin at Georgia Southern University.
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Eagle Round Robin Tournament Central
Saturday, Feb. 9
Akron vs. Tennessee Tech, 10:00 a.m.
| Livestats
Akron at Georgia Southern, 2:00 p.m.
| Livestats | Video Stream
Sunday, Feb. 10
Akron vs. Tennessee Tech, 9:30 a.m.
| Livestats
Akron vs. St. John's (N.Y.), 11:30 a.m.
| Livestats
ZIP LINES
- 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 140-174-1 (.444) record
- In the offseason Jones signed a three-year contract extension that will keep her at Akron through the 2015 season
- Akron is 22-9-1 all-time in season openers
- The GSU tournament is the first of five for the Zips before Mid-American Conference play begins on March 29
- UA returns 10 letterwinners (three pitchers) from last year, eight of which have seen time as a starter
- The field of seven newcomers is highlighted by 2012 MaxPreps National Softball Player of the year, MacKenzie Conrad
SCOUT TEAM
Tennessee Tech
- Led by first year head coach Bonnie Bynum
- Finished 27-32 in 2012 (15-13 for sixth place in the Ohio Valley Conference)
- Offense led by senior trio of Chanelle Spalding (.287 average with 48 hits), Melody Christian (.308 slugging percentage and 22 stolen bases) and Brittney Spalding (21 RBI)
Georgia Southern
- Led by second year head coach Annie Smith
- Defending Southern Conference champion, picked to finish first again this season
- Junior pitcher Sarah Purvis tabbed as SoCon Preseason Pitcher of the Year after earning the nod at the end of last year
St. John's (N.Y.)
- Led by seventh year head coach Amy Kvilhaug
- Finished 23-34 (10-12 Big East) last year
- Senior shortstop Chrissy Montez returns as one of the top hitters in the conference after hitting .314 in 2012
2012 IN REVIEW
- Senior Alissa Birkhimer (P/1B) led the team in three categories in 2012: 17 multi-hit games, 10 homeruns (tied for fifth-most in a season), and 47 RBI (third-most in a season)
- Sophomore Rachael Ratcliffe finished second on the team last year with 15 multi-hit games and nine homeruns as a freshman
- Sophomore Iesha Mountain stole 30 bases last year, the fourth most by a Zip in single season and the second-highest mark by a freshman in the nation
- As a team, Akron finished the year ranked third in the country for stolen bases per game
ON DECK
The Zips will return to the Cougar Classic at College of Charleston for the second straight season Feb. 15-17. UA will take on James Madison, Towson, (rv) Syracuse, East Tennessee State and tournament host College of Charleston over the three day span.
