University Park Regional: Fordham

Fordham: The Rams come into to the University Park Regional on a hot streak having won 10 games in a row, including their first Atlantic 10 Tournament title. Coach Bridget Orchard has done a magnificent job with this program, transforming this squad from a cellar dweller in the Atlantic 10 to one of the top teams in Northeast during her tenure at Fordham. Fordham feels that they can play with any team in the country and they have shown that on the field over the past two years. Fordham plays an aggressive style of softball with free swinging bats and a fearless defense and they also have one of the top pitching staffs in the nation. Fordham is playing with confidence and swagger right now and they have shown that they are no one hit wonder.

Jen Mineau

In the circle, it all starts with Jen Mineau, who is throwing lights out right now. Mineau was hampered by an early season stress fracture, which limited her innings early on this season and now she is healthy and she may be even better than she was last year. Mineau was a little rusty early on this year, due to perhaps just a lack of reps in the circle, but right now she is on her game. Mineau has not allowed a run in her 62 innings of work dating back to April 23rd and Mineau has not lost a game since April 3rd, winning her past 13 decisions in the circle. Mineau has it all in the circle, she can zip in there with some speed, but they to her success is her movement. Mineau's ball spins tightly and moves on all planes of the strike zone. In the past, Mineau has lived in the upper part the zone with her rise and curve ball, but in this recent stretch Mineau has really focused on the lower half of the strike zone with her drop and changeup. Mineau's strikeout numbers have gone down a bit, but that does not mean she is any less dominant. Mineau is pitching more to contact this season and over the past few weeks it has worked out well. Mineau also has pinpoint control, so opposing hitters are going to have to earn their way on board against her. Fordham has another excellent pitcher in Chelsea Plimpton. Plimpton has not seen as much work as of late, due to Mineau's dominant stretch, but Coach Orchard will not hesistate to turn to her if the situation calls for it. Plimpton does not throw the ball as hard as Mineau, but she features an excellent changeup and she is a big reason why Fordham had early season success. Plimpton is 17-10 on the year with a 2.18 ERA and 147 SO in 173.1 innings. Plimpton has picked up wins over NCAA Regional participants Indiana and DePaul and she was a tough luck loser in a game against Alabama, allowing just 5 hits in a 3-1 loss to the Crimson Tide. Fordham has a big advantage at this regional in the circle, but its success may come down to how well they swing the bats.

Gabby Luety

Fordham is a free swinging team at the plate and they can be a potent offense when they are on. Coach Orchard loves to see her team hit away, which is why Fordham will not be laying down many bunts at regionals. Fordham's best hitter Jocelyn Dearborn gets things going for the Rams and she is a fun player to watch, just not for opposing pitchers to throw to. Dearborn swings a very powerful bat, hitting .369 with 69 hits, 16 HR, 44 RBI, 7 steals, and a staggering 8 triples. Fordham's lineup is more than Dearborn, as quite a few Ram hitters pack a punch. Nicole Callahan is having a career year for the Rams, hitting .355 out of the two hole in the lineup. Samantha Pellechio and Gabby Luety are also swinging hot bats, as both are hitting .304 with 29 and 30 RBI respectively. Pellechio and Luety might also be the two most important defensive players for Fordham. Pellechio anchors the Rams' defense at shortstop and she is one of the top defensive shortstops in the country, as she has a great range and an outstanding arm. Luety is Fordham's catcher, but she is also responsible for calling the pitches along with the pitcher. Luety has shown that she can call a great game and she seems to be on the same wavelength as Jen Mineau right now. Chelsea Palumbo is also swinging a hot stick at the moment for Fordham, but the two bats that may determine how far the Rams advance are Beckah Wiggins and Jamie LaBovick. Wiggins and LaBovick both had huge seasons in 2010, being named Atlantic 10 Player and Rookie of the Year, respectively. Both got off to slow starts in 2011, but they have heated up as of late and they have been a big part of Fordham's recent win streak.

Jocelyn Dearborn

Outlook: This is the draw that Fordham hoped for and honestly I'm not sure that they could have gotten a better placement than this. The Rams are playing the best softball that they have over the past two seasons right now and they have received a very winnable draw. Oregon is a formidable opponent, but they are overseeded and frankly, vulnerable. Fordham has the one weapon that no other team at this regional has: Jen Mineau and if she can continue to throw well, the Rams could be going places. As good as Mineau is throwing, Fordham must score more runs to advance past regionals this year. Coach Orchard just needs her team to play three solid games and they should advance out of regionals, but if they find themselves in the loser's bracket or having to play multiple games on Sunday, Oregon may come out on top. Fordham is going to have to battle and fight in this regional, but this is the time and opportunity for the Rams to advance out of regionals.