Elmira College (9-13) vs. Pennsylvania College of Technology (14-15)
Monday, April 25, 2016 | 3:30 P.M. | Eldridge Park Stadium – Elmira, NY
Live Coverage | Twitter: @ECSoaringEagles
 
Elmira, NY -- Elmira College softball welcomes the Pennsylvania College of Technology to Eldridge Park Stadium this afternoon for a non-league doubleheader starting at 3:30 p.m. EC will honor its three graduating members of the Class of 2016 at today's game with a special ceremony that will take place between the two games.
 
Last Time Out
Elmira had hoped to extend its four-game winning streak last weekend against Utica College in EC's conference finale. The Soaring Eagles trailed by one run in the top of the seventh inning, but a solo home run by Julianne Heggie '16 forced extra innings. Elmira scored three times in the top of the eighth, highlighted by Heggie's second homer of the day,  to give the Purple and Gold a three-run lead. The bottom half of the inning would see Elmira log two outs with just one Utica runner on base. Unfortunately, the Pioneers scored five runs in the bottom half of the inning on a pair of home runs to win the opening game 9-7. Game two resulted in a 7-2 victory for Utica, as the Pioneers turned a one-run lead in the fifth into a five-run win.
 
Homerin' Heggie
Entering the 2016 season, Julianne Heggie '16 had zero home runs to her name. The senior outfielder, who is known more for her speed than her bat, has been turning heads lately with her recent surge in hitting. Heggie hit three homers last week, including a grand slam against Morrisville State and a two home run effort in game one against Utica, bringing her season total to five. Her five home runs are tied for fourth-most in single-season history, while it is also tied for eighth in the all-time career charts as well.
 
Thank You Seniors
Elmira honors its three graduating members of the Class of 2016 this afternoon for their contributions to the softball program over the past four years. This group of seniors has helped EC qualify for the postseason in back-to-back years in 2013 and 2014, reaching the Empire 8 Semifinals and finishing third at the ECAC Championships. The Class of 2016 has amassed 59 wins, which includes a program record-tying 25-win season in 2013.

Scouting the Wildcats
Pennsylvania College of Technology enters today's doubleheader with a 14-15 overall record and an 8-6 mark in NEAC play, good enough to place the Wildcats in a tie for third place in the North Division standings. Penn College is 3-7 in its last 10 games, including a doubleheader sweep of Morrisville State in its most recent outing. Taylor Brooks leads the Wildcats on both sides of the ball with stellar numbers at the plate and in the pitcher's circle. Brooks owns a team-leading .422 batting average to go along with a team-high 10 extra-base hits, three coming as home runs. She is also the team's leader in strikeouts, fanning 90 batters in 64.0 innings of work. Amanda Kustanbauter has also seen substantial time in the pitcher's circle, logging a team-high 69.2 innings with six victories in 11 starts.
 
All-Time Series
Elmira and Penn College have met eight times in their respective histories. The Soaring Eagles enter today's doubleheader having won all eight matchups, which includes six consecutive shutout victories.
 
Looking Ahead
Elmira concludes the 2016 campaign on Tuesday, May 3rd, when the Soaring Eagles welcome St. Lawrence University to Eldridge Park Stadium for a non-league doubleheader. Tuesday's season finale is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m.