2004 News

March 29: Diamond Dawgs Softball Notebag

Junior pitcher Rachel Chartier (Marquette) tossed a five hitter in the Diamond Dawgs' 6-2 win over Indianapolis last Friday night at the Great Lakes Region Showdown for her first win of the season. She then threw a career-best one-hitter in a 3-0 eighth-inning triumph against Bellarmine Saturday evening which included a five-strikeout performance.

Senior first baseman Nicki Merchant (Wayland) has a current team-leading eight-game hitting streak and is batting .400 (12-30) in those eight contests. Merchant has recorded three multi-hit outings during this period.

Junior outfielder Jessie Wright (Sand Lake/Tri-County) hit for a .625 average (5-8) in her two games at the Great Lakes Region Showdown, which included a three-for-four hit effort against Bellarmine. She's also five hits shy of notching her 50th career base hit and is batting .298 (45-151) in 75 career outings.

Rachel Chartier has compiled a 2-0 mark with a 0.72 earned run average in 19.1 innings during her last three appearances. In her initial seven outings this season, Chartier was 0-4 with a 2.22 earned run average in 41.0 innings pitched. Prior to the 6-2 win over Indianapolis, Chartier's first and only career victory occurred as freshman when she threw an eight-hit complete game in Ferris State's 3-1 triumph against Shippensburg (3/16/02) at the Florida Rebel Spring Games Tournament in Kissimmee, Fla.

Sophomore outfielder Emily McLean's (Rogers City) team-high four doubles in 14 games this campaign already exceeds her total of three a season ago in 20 contests.

Nicki Merchant is three base hits away from tying Anne Koltvedt (1998-01, 143 total hits) for 10th place among FSU's career hits leaders. Merchant has amassed 140 hits in 498 at bats for a .281 caereer average in 150 contests.

Sophomore outfielder Amber Sriver (Niles/Brandywine) is batting .571 (4-7) in her last four games after hitting .250 (1-4) in her previous two outings.