Concord Readies for Important Series Versus Charleston, West Virginia State

Concord Statistics - Charleston Statistics - West Virginia State Statistics - Live Video - Live Stats (Charleston Game 1) - Live Stats (Charleston Game 2) - Live Stats (W.Va State Game 1) -  Live Stats (W.Va State Game 2) 
     
ATHENS,  W.Va- The Concord University softball team continues Mountain East Conference play when they host the University of Charleston for a doubleheader 2:00 p.m. Friday  before turning around to play West Virginia State twice on Saturday, also at 2:00 p.m.

LIVE COVERAGE
The Concord University Sports Information Department will provide live in-game statistics and live video of the doubleheaders Friday and Saturday. To access the live options, follow the links at the top of the page or click here.

Concord will head into Friday's doubleheader at 13-11 (2-4 MEC). 

Charleston currently stands at 17-4 on the season, and are 6-0 in conference play. 

West Virginia State has an 18-8 record overall so far, with a 3-1 mark in conference play. 

MOUNTAIN LION NOTES
Concord has played Charleston on the road in a doubleheader this season falling 10-2 and 5-2 at UC just nine days ago. Concord rebounded well from that series setback as it earned a split with nationally-ranked West Virginia Wesleyan just two days later, giving the Bobcats just their third loss in 25 games. 

The Mountain Lions managed five hits over the first two games against the Golden Eagles, and is looking to improve upon that category when UC heads to Athens on Friday. 

CU split with the Golden Eagles last season at the CU Softball complex, defeating Charleston 7-0 in game one before falling 6-2 in the second game.  The split proved to be important for regional implications, as the win would help propel Concord into a regional playoff berth. 

Saturday's slate poses a different challenge to the Mountain Lions. Concord split with the Yellow Jackets last season, falling to WVSU 10-9 before bouncing back and winning 8-0 the second game. Both games were in Institute last season. 

Junior outfielder Lauren Lewis has been a key component of Concord's offense the last few games, batting .524 over her past six games with eight RBIs, as well as belting her first home run of the season.

Lewis batted well against the Golden Eagles in last season's victory at the CU Softball Complex, going 3-for-3 from the plate and blasting a home run.     

Junior infielder Alayna Furr leads the Mountain East Conference in hits (36), runs scored (26), and is second in batting average (.456).    

Senior catcher Alyssa Morris and Lewis rank third and fourth respectively in RBI in the conference. 

Morris has driven in 21 runs, while Lewis has 20 RBI so far this season. 

Concord compiled 24 hits over their past two games against Glenville State, the most hits they have accomplished over a two-game stretch since the series against Carson-Newman March 9.

Freshman pitcher Aarron Ward has compiled a 5-2 record in her first collegiate softball season while posting a 2.87 ERA, which ranks her 13^th in the Mountain East Conference among pitchers. 

Junior pitcher Sarah Herndon has now moved into the top 10 in career innings pitched at 197.2.

SCOUTING CHARLESTON
Charleston has been stingy so far this season, ranking second in the Mountain East Conference in team ERA at 1.48. 

Charleston also has allowed the lowest number of hits in the Mountain East Conference, limiting its opponents to just 102 hits in 132.2 innings played. 

Laura Ashlock leads the Golden Eagles in batting, averaging .397 on the season, and has hit five home runs. 

Allie Burdette leads the pitching staff for Charleston, with a 1.32 Era and a 9-1 record. 

She has also earned Mountain East Conference Pitcher of the Week the past two weeks. 

SCOUTING WEST VIRGINIA STATE
West Virginia State stands at 18-8 on the season.  The Yellow Jackets are 3-1 in MEC play. 

The Yellow Jackets are led by Allyson Funk, who is batting .429 on the season, she has driven in 11 runs. 

Sydney Kaplan is batting .393, and has driven in 19 runs. 

Brookelyn Hale has belted 34 hits for WVSU, good for second in the conference.    

The Yellow Jackets leading pitcher is Allyson Burg, who has a 1.62 ERA and is 5-2 on the season.