2016 Fairfield Inn and Suites Seahawk Softball Bash Central Page
NOTE: The start of Friday's games has been moved to 11 a.m. due to weather. The updated schedule is available by visiting the tournament central page, which is linked above.
WILMINGTON, North Carolina – The regular season begins for Coach
Kristy Norton and the UNCW softball team this weekend as the Seahawks welcome Army West Point, Eastern Kentucky and Saint Francis to Boseman Field for the Fairfield Inn and Suites Seahawk Softball Bash.
The three-day tournament, which begins on Friday, Feb. 12, will feature a total of 10 games. Live stats for each of the 10 games will be available by visiting UNCWStats.com.
Led by junior pitcher
Peyton Jordan, the Seahawks welcome back 16 letter winners from last year's team, which finished with a 19-27 record. Jordan, a Second-Team All-CAA selection, posted an 8-10 record in the circle with 70 strikeouts and four shutouts. She also led the Seahawks with nine complete games and earned a pair of saves.
Sophomore pitcher
Sarah Davis also returns after boasting a 7-7 record last year with eight complete games. She pitched a team-high 114.2 innings and recorded 70 strikeouts, including a season-high eight strikeouts against UMBC. Davis was also the Seahawks' second-leading hitter with a .306 average while pacing the team with 22 runs batted in.
Junior infielder
Claudia Spinelli led the Seahawks with a .307 batting average and three home runs. A starter in 40-of-45 games, the Waxhaw, N.C., native was tied for third on the team with 12 runs scored and contributed 11 extra-base hits.
Army West Point also opens its season this weekend after posting a 23-27-1 record last year. The Black Knights will be led offensively by senior infielder
Kasey McCravey, who is the reigning Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. The Scottsdale, Ariz., native hit .401 last year with 42 runs batted in and was named as a First-Team All-Patriot League selection.
Junior pitcher
Kristen West also returns for the Black Knights to lead the pitching staff. The Houston, Texas product posted an 8-10 record last year with a 2.77 earned run average and held opponents to a .257 batting average.
Coming off a 31-19 season last year, Saint Francis welcomes nine newcomers to its roster for the 2016 campaign. Junior infielder
Alexis Bower returns to lead the Red Flash offense after hitting .318 last year with six home runs and 30 runs batted in. She also posted a 6-6 record in the circle with a 2.97 earned run average and recorded two saves with 50 strikeouts.
Eastern Kentucky, which finished fifth in the Ohio Valley Conference standings last year, embarks on its 2016 schedule with this weekend's tournament. The Colonels finished with a 24-28 record a season ago, including a 13-10 mark in league play. Sophomore outfielder
Sarah Murphy returns after putting together a solid freshman campaign with a team-high .349 batting average while starting all 52 games.
Meanwhile, senior outfielder
Sarah Fobbs hit .312 last year with eight home runs and 25 runs batted in. She was also 11-for-11 in stolen base attempts while starting 49 contests.
Tickets for each day of the tournament can be purchased for $7 for adults and $2 for children. They are available in advance by calling the UNCW Athletics Ticket Office at 800-808-UNCW or by visiting the Tickets page at UNCWSports.com. In addition, tickets will be available on game day beginning 60 minutes prior to the first game.
