Staten Island, NY – After dropping its home opener this past weekend, the Wagner College softball team will look to get back on track in its last doubleheader before the Northeast Conference (NEC) opener on Saturday, as the Seahawks travel to Rider for a doubleheader with game one set for 2:30 p.m.
Looking Back: Last year's meeting with the Broncos at the Withrop Tournament was one that the Seahawks and head coach
Angie Churchill most likely still remember. After falling behind 2-1 in the first inning, the Seahawks powered up their bats and never looked back, posting six runs in the second inning followed by another seven in the third. The offensive outburst led to the Seahawks' first win of the season and Churchill's first victory as Wagner head coach.
Last Time Out: The Seahawks began their 2017 home slate with two losses to the Quinnipiac University Bobcats on Saturday. Wagner dropped the first game of the doubleheader 4-0 count, before losing 9-4 in game two of the afternoon.
Gilbert Finding Her Groove: Senior
Hana Gilbert (Valley Center, CA / Valley Center) is starting to find her rhythm at the plate. The fourth-year Seahawk has recorded a hit in each of Wagner's last five games, dating back to the Green and White's matchup with #25 BYU on March 16. Against Quinnipiac last Saturday, Gilbert batted in three runs on three hits, including two doubles.
First Home Run: Freshman
Alyssa Tucker (Laguna Niguel, CA / Santa Margarita Catholic) recorded the first home run of her collegiate career against Quinnipiac. In the fourth inning of game two, the first-year Seahawk knocked a line drive over the left field wall, making her the third player to record her first career home run this season in joining
Kaila Smith (Millville, NJ / Millville) and
Christina Harkins (Staten Island, NY / Notre Dame Academy).
Milestone Watch: Senior
Brianna Tredway (Downingtown, PA / Downingtown West) hit her 30th career double in Wagner's loss to Utah State on March 10 and is up to 33 for her career after collecting another extra base hit against Manhattan. The fourth-year Seahawk needs six more doubles to tie Victoria Bastistelli for fifth on the all-time list and currently leads the team with a .535 average. Former Wagner great Andrea Lazzari currently leads the category with 50 doubles throughout her career.
First Sweep Of The Season: Junior
Morgan Brown (Buckeye, AZ / Verrado) earned two victories on Wednesday, as the Seahawks defeated Manhattan College 5-4 in a thrilling come-from-behind victory in game one and a wire-to-wire 3-1 win in game two to earn its first sweep of the year.
Karen Prihoda (Hamilton Square, NJ / The Lawrenceville School) had three RBIs on the day, none bigger than a clutch two-run double to right center in game one, tying the game at four apiece.
Scouting The Broncos: Rider enters Wednesday's play with a 3-16 overall record, most recently losing two to the University of Pennsylvania, after splitting a pair with Yale. The Broncos opened their season with 11 straight losses. Offensively, Amanda Crimarco leads the team with five RBIs on the year.
Up Next For Wagner: The Seahawks will open up Northeast Conference (NEC) play with a home doubleheader against Central Connecticut on Saturday, April 1, before traveling to Monmouth on April 5 for another non-conference matchup.
