The Purdue University Calumet softball team will look to build off its Bronze Bracket Title in the Gulf Shores Invitational last week when the Peregrines host No. 25 Taylor University in a doubleheader at the Sparta Dome in Crown Point Friday.
Purdue Calumet (4-3) will face No. 25 Taylor University for a pair of games at the Sparta Dome starting at 11 a.m. (CT). The Sparta Dome is located at 1355 East North Street.
The Peregrines' originally scheduled home opener at Dowling Park against Clarke on Sunday, March 15, has been postponed.
The Peregrines are coming a Bronze Bracket Title in Gulf Shores, Ala. after going 2-3 against teams that were either ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Preseason Poll. After battling in losses to No. 2 William Carey (Miss.), Our Lady of the Lake (Texas) and No. 20 Brenau (Ga.) March 7, Purude Calumet caught fire with two wins March 8, defeating Georgia Gwinnett and No. 16 Central Methodist. .
Senior Alison Kimble (Greenup, Ill./Cumberland) made three starts for the Peregrines over the Invitational going 1-2 in 18 innings with 11 strikeouts. Freshman Kaitlyn Skarecky (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) went 6-17 (.352) with her first career homerun and had five RBI. Seniors Ashley Adams (Lafayette, Ind./Central Catholic) (.600, six hits, three RBI) and Skyler Woods (Beecher, Ill./Beecher) (.500 BA, 10 hits, four stolen bases) lead the Peregrines at the plate in season stats.
SCOUTING THE TROJANS
The No. 25 Taylor Trojans are 6-4 so far this season after going 42-17 in 2014. Sophomore Alex Lovelace leads the Trojans with a .529 batting average so far this season with 18 hits and five RBIs.
SERIES HISTORY
The Peregrines and the Trojans played twice in 2014, with the Peregrines winning both, 8-1 and 4-2. In Game 1, Kimble pitched all seven innings, giving up just one run and tossing six strikeouts. Senior Skyler Woods went 3-4 on the day with two RBI. In Game 2, junior Shelbie Jones (Mishawaka, Ind./Mishawaka) pitched all seven innings allowing two runs and recording seven Ks. Woods had another great day at the plate, going 2-3 with a home run and two RBI.
LIVE LOOK
Live stats for Friday's games will be available at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/puc/