February 12, 2010
Live
Stats
SOFTBALL OPENS SEASON AT 24TH
ANNUAL LOUISIANA CLASSIC
SMITHFIELD, RI - After winning 11
games in its inaugural Division I season, the Bryant University
softball team opens action in Lafayette, Louisiana at the 24th
annual Louisiana Classic on Friday, February 12. The Bulldogs will
play five games on the trip including one against host institution,
Louisiana-Lafayette, and two matchups against both Bradley and
Syracuse University. Bryant opens action against the Ragin' Cajuns
on Friday at 2:30 p.m. (CT).
The Bulldogs finished last season with an 11-31 overall record.
However, Bryant did finish with a 5-5 record against Northeast
Conference opponents. This season, the team will play a full
Northeast Conference schedule including 20 home games as it
continues its journey into the Division I level. The Bulldogs are
returning 10 letterwinners, eight of which were starters last
season and bringing in a freshman class of seven student-athletes.
The Bulldogs are returning their top pitcher, junior captain
Samantha Houseal (Mount Joy, Pa.). Houseal started
37 of the Bulldogs 42 games last season and maintained a 3.03 ERA.
The junior struck out a Bryant record 180 batters and pitched 249.2
innings.
The first opponent for the Bulldogs will be the highly touted
No. 23/24 Ragin' Cajuns. Louisiana Lafayette competes in the
competitive Sun Belt conference. The Cajuns won the conference in
2009 and returned to the NCAA Regionals for the 11th consecutive
year. La-Lafayette has made five College World Series appearances
and won the Sun Belt nine times. Led by Co-Head Coach Stefni
Lotief, the Cajuns have amassed a record of 452-110 since 1990.
After competing against the Ragin Cajuns, the BU softball team
will take on Bradley University. Bradley is located in Peoria,
Illinois. Last season, the Braves amassed a 26-28 record and
finished 6th in the Missouri Valley Conference. Bradley is
returning 15 letterwinners and six starters.
The final opponent for the Bulldogs will be another opponent
from the North, the Syracuse Orange. The Big East affiliate is
beginning its 10th season of softball and is coming off
a 30-21 record from a year ago. Led by Coach Leigh Ross, his record
at 'Cuse is 72-84. Last season the Orange was eliminated in the
first round of the Big East Tournament. Sophomore Stephanie Watts
is one of the leading returners for SU, as one of three players to
start all 51 games last season. Watts hit .318 in 2009 while
setting SU single-season records in steals (20), triples (5) and
runs (54).
Fans can follow the live action by clicking the "Live Stats"
link at the top of the page.
