Week 2 Action

Week 2 will see more teams in action for the A10 and hopefully some better results

UMass and St. Joseph's will start play and I am looking for big things from these two teams.

UMass

UMass will see matchups vs. #11 Michigan, Tulsa, Penn State, FAU, and one other matchup to be determined. UMass is going to be tested right away with five games scheduled against quality opponents. Michigan, Tulsa, and Penn State will show the UMass lineup tough looks from the circle. Tulsa relies on a deep staff, while Michigan and Penn State usually rely on just two.. I am expecting to see All-American Jordan Taylor in the circle and we should be able to tell just how good this team will be. Sara Plourde is back and according to Coach Sortino she is better than ever, both freshmen pitchers should help her out in the circle and I am expecting this pitching staff to put up big numbers.

St. Joseph's will face James Madison, Coastal Carolina, and Bucknell. I think the Hawks are going to have a special season this year and that sort of year begins by getting off to a solid start. The Hawks aren't facing great pitching or great offenses so all they need to do is go out and take care of business. Erin Gallagher is going to keep the Hawks in most games that she pitches, so it is up to the offense to do the same. The Hawks' offense was weak at times last year and the team's success is going to depend on the output from the plate.

Charlotte, Fordham, and St. Louis will also be in action again this weekend

Charlotte will see a fairly easy slate of games with matchups against St. Francis, UNC Greensboro, and Eastern Kentucky. I guess the biggest lingering question after this past weekend is can Charlotte play more than 5 innings in a game that Katy Hackett doesn't pitch? Honestly, if the 49ers can't rally to do it this weekend, I'm not sure they can do it. This is one of the easiest weekends on the year for Charlotte and anything less than 4 wins is going to be a disappointment. I want to see Katy Hackett continue her strong performance in the circle and I want to see the offense pour it on at the plate. It's time for Charlotte to take care of business.

Kristin Nicoletti

Fordham is going to have more tough games this weekend including UAB, USF, Indiana, DePaul, and Ole Miss. I am expecting a big bounce back weekend for Fordham, specifically for the offense. Indiana, USF, and DePaul all have solid pitching, but I am expecting the Rams to be ready this weekend. The pitching is there with Chelsea Plimpton in the circle, although I am not sure how much we will see of Jen Mineau. Jocelyn Dearborn and Samantha Pellechio were the leaders last weekend at the plate, I am expecting that they will get more help from Co-A10 Player of the Year Beckah Wiggins and A10 Rookie of the Year Jamie LaBovick. I think there will be quite a few "See Ya's" this weekend.

St. Louis is going down to Ft. Myers, FL to face Villanova, Michigan State, Georgetown, and Florida Gulf Coast. The Billikens had a fairly easy opening weekend in terms of scheduling so they will need to step it up if they want to see another 3-2 record. The Billikens have a three headed monster in the circle with Julian Austin, Kelcie Matesa, and Hannah Huebbe, but we need to see Coach Connoyer do a better job of managing her staff. She needs a quicker hook when pitchers are struggling. The offense was on at times, but they didn't show much power and that is not going to work this weekend. St. Louis needs all aspects of its offense to be on.