GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Cornerstone softball team gears up for a busy week that sees them face off against three league foes as well as non-conference opponent Cleary University. The Golden Eagles will host Aquinas on Tuesday over at Davenport and follow with a pair of road trips to UM-Dearborn and Cleary before ending the week with a Saturday DH at home vs. Madonna.

NOTE: The series at UM-Dearborn has been moved to Concordia due to flooding at Michigan State softball facilities that has moved their game to the Michigan athletic facilities. CU will play UM-Dearborn at Concordia on Wednesday starting at 3:30 p.m.

The Golden Eagles have a big week ahead of them, as they'll play eight games in five days, including six conference games. 

Schedule (all doubleheaders)
Tuesday, April 11 – vs. Aquinas (at Davenport) – 5:00pm
Wednesday, April 12 – at Michigan-Dearborn (game to be played at Concordia) – 3:30pm
Thursday, April 13 – at Cleary – 3:30pm
Saturday, April 15 – vs. Madonna – 1:00pm
 
Looking Back
The Golden Eagles split the doubleheaders with Concordia and Siena Heights (Receiving Votes nationally) on each of the past two Saturdays. Cornerstone sits at 7-15 overall, 2-4 in the WHAC.
 
Scouting Aquinas – After finishing last in the WHAC last year with a 3-15 conference record and a 10-34 overall record, the Saints have jumped out to a 25-4-1 overall record this season and are Receiving Votes nationally. Aquinas has outscored their opponents 182-67 so far this season. The team is batting an impressive .321 combined batting average, led by Mary Iliopoulos with .397. The Saints are equally as impressive in the circle, with their staff boasting a combined 1.47 ERA, the 7^th best team ERA in the NAIA. The Golden Eagles won both games of the series last year.

Scouting Michigan-Dearborn – The Wolverines are 18-6-1 overall, with a 7-2-1 WHAC record. The team is batting a combined .318. Kassidy Butler leads the team with a .516 batting average, an incredible .938 slugging percentage, and has tallied 27 RBIs and seven home runs. In the circle, Gina Verduzco has a 2.09 ERA with an 8-3 record. The Golden Eagles won one of three games last year against the Wolverines.

Scouting Cleary – Cleary has a 15-8 overall record, and a 7-1 record at their home field. The team is batting a combined .321 average. Sara Hall leads the team with a .434 average and eight stolen bases. Riley Thompson leads the team in the circle with a 1.31 ERA. Cleary and Cornerstone split last year's doubleheader.

Scouting Madonna – Madonna is currently on top of the WHAC standings with an 8-1 conference record. They have won the last seven games and have an overall record of 19-9. The Crusaders are led at the plate by Nicky Salloum, who has a .447 batting average with 30 RBIs. Madonna has eight batters who are batting above .300, making their combined average .336, good for 24^th best in the NAIA. The Golden Eagles won one of last year's three games against Madonna, who was receiving votes.
 
 
 
Schedule Reminder
Due to a combination of inclement weather and poor field conditions, the Golden Eagles have had a handful of postponed games. In addition to Tuesday's rescheduled doubleheader against Aquinas, the other rescheduled doubleheaders are:
 
Monday, April 24 – vs. Calvin College – 3:30pm
Thursday, April 27 – at Lourdes – 3:30pm
 
 
Crossing the Plate:
 
Sophomore Mackenzie Vallad leads the team with 13 runs scored.
 
 
Bounce Back
 
After ending the spring break trip with a tough nine-game losing streak, the Golden Eagles are a respectable 4-4.
 
 
Other Notables

• Six Multihit games for Rachel Younts this season, who leads the team with a .292 batting average and 10 RBIs.
• Six complete games out of the nine starts for junior pitcher Brooke Leonard

 
 
Softball Contact: Seth Walters
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