Eagles Prep For UCF Invitational

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UCF INVITATIONAL MARKS END OF SUNSHINE STATE TOUR: The Eastern Michigan University softball team will wrap up its Florida trip with the UCF Invitational, Feb. 27-March 1. The Eagles are 3-5 after dropping their last four games. First up for EMU is Villanova, Feb. 27 at 9:30 a.m., followed by Maine at 11:30 a.m. Saturday's, Feb. 28, action sees the Eagles take on Syracuse at 11:30 a.m., before taking on Tennessee State at 4 p.m. EMU concludes the tournament, March 1, against Stony Brook at 9:30 a.m.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS: EMU will face off against three first time opponents this weekend in Maine, Tennessee State and Stony Brook. In 2009, Maine is 4-5, Tennessee State sports a 6-3 mark heading into weekend action and Stony Brook is beginning the 2009 season at the UCF Invitational. Syracuse won the only other match-up against EMU, 5-0, March 3, 2006. This season, the Orange are 5-3. EMU holds a 2-1 advantage all-time against Villanova, which is 3-2 in 2009.

GETTING SOME NATIONAL ATTENTION: After knocking off No. 22 Louisville, 3-2, to start the year 3-1, the Eagles received two votes in the USA Today/NFCA poll. The Eagles have never been ranked in the history of the poll, which dates back to the 1995 season.

MIDWEEK REWIND: The Eagles have dropped their last four games, first falling in doubleheader action at Florida Gulf Coast, Feb. 24. EMU lost the first game of the twinbill, 9-6, before falling in the second contest, 3-2. In a three-team round robin at UCF, Feb. 25, the Eagles lost to Bethune-Cookman, 3-1, before falling to the host Knights, 5-4. Freshman Jessica Richards led the way offensively for the Eagles during the four-game stretch, hitting .545 while Jenny Scherer hit .417. Michelle Hletko made three appearances in the four games, compiling a 2.62 ERA.

EAGLES SWEEP MAC AWARDS: After going 3-1 at the USF “The Game” Tournament, the Eagles swept the Mid-American Conference West Division weekly awards. Michelle Hletko was selected the Pitcher of the Week after throwing a no-hitter against Albany, Feb. 20. She pitched 13.0 innings in three appearances, compiling a 1.08 ERA and 1-0 record over the weekend. Sophomore Stacie Skodinski was selected the Player of the Week, hitting .769 with one home run. The shortstop had multiple hits in all four games, including five extra-base hits. It was the first weekly award for both players.

HLETKO THROWS NO-NO: Junior pitcher Michelle Hletko started her junior season off with a bang, throwing the 11th no-hitter in EMU history against Albany, Feb. 20. Hletko struck out two while relying on a stingy defense to record the 8-0, five-inning victory. It was the first no-hitter thrown since Michelle Lloyd accomplished the feat, May 3, 2006, against the University of Michigan.

TAKING DOWN THE BIG GUNS: The Eastern Michigan University softball team picked up a huge 3-2 win against No. 22 Louisville at the USF “The Game” Tournament, Feb. 22. After scoring the first run of the contest off a Jennie Sherman sacrifice fly in the second inning, the Cardinals responded with a two-run fifth inning. The Eagles were able to regroup in the sixth when Jessica Patterson reached base safely off a throwing error by the U of L shortstop. Sophomore Stacie Skodinski then stepped up, ripping a home run to right field to score two runs and secure the win for EMU. Freshman pitcher Allison Scherer picked up her first win of the season, pitching 1.1 innings of scoreless relief, with Jaclyn Caro notching her first career save. Ironically, the Eagles' last victory over a ranked opponent came March 26, 2006 against No. 21 Louisville.

NO SOPHOMORE SLUMP FOR SKIDDY: Sophomore shortstop Stacie Skodinski, a 2008 MAC All-Freshman team selection, has started 2009 off on a tear. Through eight games, the sophomore is hitting .571 with eight RBI, seven extra-base hits and a 1.095 slugging percentage. Skodinski has recorded multiple hits in four contests this season, including a perfect 3-for-3 against Albany.

CAREER MILESTONE IN SIGHT: Junior outfielder Jenny Scherer is only one home run away from tying the career mark for home runs of 24 set by Lauren Clark. Just a junior, Scherer has belted 11 home runs during each of her first two seasons as an Eagle, giving her 23 after hitting a round tripper in the first game of the 2009 season against Albany, Feb. 20.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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