Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College softball team plays their second doubleheader in as many days later today as they welcome No. 23 Alfred University to Eldridge Park Stadium for a pair of Empire 8 Conference games. The first of the two games is set to start at 3:00 p.m.
Last Time OutThe Soaring Eagles earned a non-conference split in their home-opening doubleheader yesterday against Alfred State College. The Pioneers rallied, scoring three runs in the top of the sixth inning, to defeat Elmira, 4-2 in the opening game. But EC came back strong in the second game and behind the bats of
Ashley Palmer'16 and
Jacquelyn Heggie '16, who combined to go 4-for-6 with three RBI, took down Alfred State 9-0 in five innings.
Seeking First Conference WinAfter dropping both doubleheaders last weekend to Nazareth College and St. John Fisher College, the Soaring Eagles are 0-4 in Empire 8 Conference play for the first time since 2012. That season, the Purple and Gold started 0-6 in the Empire 8 before knocking-off St. John Fisher, 6-5, at home in their seventh conference game.
Series HistoryEC and Alfred have played 25 times since the 2003 season, including once in the Empire 8 Conference Tournament in 2013. Overall, the Soaring Eagles hold an 8-17 record against the Saxons in that time, but after snapping a 12-game losing streak in 2013, EC has won three of the past four games.
Offense is Tough to BeatAlfred sports the best offense in the Empire 8 Conference and one of the best offenses in the NCAA. As a team, the Saxons are batting .390 with 192 runs scored. They have 255 hits in 654 at-bats, including 46 doubles, 10 triples, and 20 home runs. Nationally, Alfred ranks seventh in batting average, eighth in slugging percentage and on-base percentage, and ninth in runs scored per-game.
