APRIL 19, 2012

KING'S SOFTBALL HOSTING TRADITION POWER ITHACA THURSDAY

WILKES-BARRE — The King's College softball team will face a major test when the Lady Monarchs host traditional NCAA Division III power Ithaca College Thursday at 3:00 p.m. in the Betzler Athletic Complex.

Fans can follow the action over the Internet on LiveStats at the following link:
http://www.sidearmstats.com/kings/softball/scoreboard.aspx

King's enters the matchup with a 24-6 record and has won 15 of its last 16 games.  Ithaca, which plays in the highly competitive Empire 8 Athletic Conference, is 16-11 on the year and has won seven of its last eight games.    The teams last played to a split in 2010 with Ithaca winning the first game 3-1 before King's took the nightcap 4-2.

King's has been led by sophomore catcher Amanda Cardone who is batting .433 (42-97) with 1 doubles, five home runs, and 44 RBI. The Lady Monarchs have also been paced by junior catcher Kayla Rutkoski who follows at .415 (34-82) with five doubles, one home run, and 15 RBI.  Sophomore third-baseman Tina Seber is hitting .386 (22-57) with four doubles, three home runs, and 22 RBI. Junior designated player Brittny Baynes stands at .385 (35-91) with eight doubles, two home runs, and 28 RBI. Sophomore shortstop Jenn Harnischfeger also bats .385 (30-78) with seven doubles and 16 RBI. 

The Lady Monarch pitching staff is headed by sophomore Brittany Haight who is 6-2 with a 2.27 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 49 innings. Annie Erndl is 5-3 with a 2.53 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 44 innings. Karissa Kross owns a team-best 5-1 record with a 1.65 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 34 innings.

Ithaca is led by Sydney Folk with a .408 (31-76) average with five home runs, three doubles, and 22 RBI. Molly O'Donnell hits .407 (35-86) with three home runs, nine doubles, and 22 RBI.  Rachel Dell'Orto stands at .357 (30-84) with two home runs, five doubles, and 20 RBI.

In the circle, Jillian Olmstead is 9-6 with a 2.23 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 78 innings. Sam Bender is 7-5 with a 2.51 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 98 innings.

Following the doubleheader with Ithaca, King's will face a crucial Freedom Conference first-place showdown with Misericordia University Saturday at 1:00 p.m. n the Betzler Complex.