CU Softball Preview - vs. Skidmore College (4/28)

By: April 27, 2019

Connor Koehler

Softball | 4/27/2019 8:15:00 AM

Plenty of scenarios remain entering the final weekend of Liberty League regular season for the Clarkson University Softball team. The Golden Knights could find themselves as high as the two seed or eliminated from playoff contention all together depending on the outcome of their games against Skidmore College this weekend at Scott Field. The Golden Knights' three seniors certainly do not approve of the latter statement, and Liz Caggiano, Raeanna Dunn and Sam Mennig will be looking to extend their careers in the conference tournament.

Live Stats/Live Video

The Series: In five seasons of existence, Clarkson is 2-8 all-time against the Thoroughbreds, splitting in 2016 and 2017 while getting swept in 2014, 2015 and 2018. Last year's games were both close, as the Knights lost twice thanks to decisive sixth innings, 1-0 and 5-3.

Key Stats for Clarkson (23-13, 7-5 Liberty League): The Golden Knights minimize opportunities for opponents better than any other team in the conference, and possibly the region, as the team ranks third in strikeout to walk ratio with two players ranking in the top 15 in the country in that category in Sam Mennig (7.67, eighth) and Olivia Zoeller (7.00, 14th). Overall, Clarkson has allowed only 31 walks and hit 14 batters to dramatically reduce its WHIP compared to other teams in the league. The Knights' team earned run average (2.55) also ranks second in the league. Senior Raeanna Dunn is hitting .424/.486/.496 with 53 hits (tied for 30th nationally) and 24 stolen bases (tied for 25th nationally). Liz Caggiano is second in the Liberty League in runs batted in (34) and Michele Winn has driven in 30, including six in the last eight games thanks to an 11-for-24 stretch at the plate.

Key Stats for Skidmore (16-18, 4-6 Liberty League): The Thoroughbreds pitching staff has not been as stingy with free passes as Clarkson, allowing a league-high 82 bases on balls, but Skidmore's pitchers make up for the deficiency with the second highest strikeout rate in the conference with 163 whiffs in 216.2 innings. Hannah Davis has a 3.27 earned run average with 79 strikeouts in 107 innings, though she has given up 49 walks and hit 21 batters. Emily Popp also produces plenty of swings and misses with 68 strikeouts in 83 innings. On offense, Skidmore leads the conference in home runs with 26. However, the two top hitters seem to have the misfortune of never having runners on when they go deep. Megan White (.369/.451/.709) has six home runs and 20 extra-base hits but only 15 runs batted in to show for the effort, while Hannah Davis (.369/.418/.631) also has blasted six bombs with only 15 RBI.

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Players Mentioned

#21 Liz Caggiano: IF; 5' 9"; Senior; R/R

#5 Raeanna Dunn: IF; 5' 4"; Graduate Student; L/R

#25 Sam Mennig: P/IF; 5' 6"; Senior; R/R

#3 Michele Winn: C/IF; 5' 6"; Junior; L/L

#9 Olivia Zoeller: P/OF; 5' 4"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#21 Liz Caggiano
: 5' 9"; Senior; R/R
: IF

#5 Raeanna Dunn
: 5' 4"; Graduate Student; L/R
: IF

#25 Sam Mennig
: 5' 6"; Senior; R/R
: P/IF

#3 Michele Winn
: 5' 6"; Junior; L/L
: C/IF

#9 Olivia Zoeller
: 5' 4"; Freshman; R/R
: P/OF