George Washington University
Virginia Tech
Softball Hosts No. 17 Virginia Tech, Bucknell in Midweek Action
3/9/2020 4:30:00 PM | Softball
Colonials host three contests over two days at The Vern
LAST TIME OUT:Â GW went 3-1 at the Buff and Blue Challenge last weekend, earning wins over Winthrop, Rider and Monmouth.
Faith Weber starred in the circle, going 2-0 with her first save of the season en route to A-10 Pitcher of the Week honors. The senior from New Jersey posted a 1.75 ERA in 12 innings with 13 strikeouts over three appearances.
Jenna Cone provided an offensive spark, posting a .545/.643/1.091 slash line over the four games. The senior from California reached base in nine of 14 plate appearances with six hits and three walks. She homered in both ends of a doubleheader sweep on Saturday, cracking a two-run shot vs. Rider and a solo blast vs. Monmouth as part of a four-hit performance.
TWO HUNDRED AND COUNTING:Â With her long ball vs. Rider, Cone reached 200 career RBIs. Over 188 collegiate games, the 2019 A-10 Player of the Year currently has driven in a program-record 203 runs, a figure that ranks tied for second nationally among active student-athletes.Â
Cone's 16 RBIs this season rank tied for first with teammate Elena Shelepak for most in the A-10.
POWERING UP:Â GW racked up 23 runs on 30 hits over the four games last weekend, hitting .309 as a team. The Colonials bashed seven home runs, including Hannah Eslick's first three long balls of the season, and added five doubles. They particularly flashed their offensive prowess vs. Monmouth when they recorded 10 runs on 14 hits and clinched a 10-2 run-rule victory on Weber's first career grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the sixth.
Through 21 games, GW has 43 extra-base hits (21 doubles, four triples, 18 homers) this season.
BEST FOOT FORWARD: GW faces a ranked opponent for the second time this season. The Colonials battled then-No. 3 Oklahoma to the finish in a 5-2 setback to close the opening weekend at the Puerto Vallarta Challenge. The Buff and Blue scored the game's first two runs in the top of the third before the Sooners went ahead for good with a four-run fourth inning.
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION:Â Virginia Tech has rolled out to a 19-4 start to the season behind the tremendous pitching of junior Keely Rochard, who leads the nation in wins (14) and strikeouts (171) with a 1.60 ERA in 114 innings pitched.
Bucknell earned wins over Marshall and Rutgers on Sunday to improve to 8-10 on the season. The Bison, who were picked third in the Patriot League preseason poll, will play a doubleheader at Virginia on Tuesday before visiting D.C.
ON DECK:Â GW continues its homestand this weekend, welcoming Maryland Eastern Shore to The Vern for a three-game series. The Colonials and Hawks will play a doubleheader on Saturday starting at noon followed by a single game on Sunday at noon.
