Purdue Calumet Opens Play at Gulf Shores Invitational Saturday in Alabama

PUC-PeregrinsAfter winter travel conditions delayed the start of its spring trip, the Purdue University Calumet softball team is slated to play three games on Saturday in the Gulf Shores Invitational in Gulf Shores, Ala.

Purdue Calumet (2-0) will face Brenau (Ga.), William Carey (Miss.) and Our Lady of the Lake (Texas) before playing opponent (s) to be determined Sunday.

The Peregrines opened the 2015 season with a two-game sweep over Benedictine-Springfield in a doubleheader in Crown Point, Ind., defeating the Bulldogs 9-1 and 5-3 Feb. 27. Senior pitcher Alison Kimble (Greenup, Ill./Cumberland) totaled 16 strikeouts in just seven innings, including a Game 1 victory, to lead Purdue Calumet in the sweep.

Scouting the Peregrines’ Gulf Shores Opponents

Saturday, 8 a.m.: William Carey (Miss.) 7-6
The No. 2-ranked Crusaders finished the 2014 season as the NAIA World Series’ runners-up and their most successful season in program history with a 52-12 overall mark. William Carey is 7-6 to start this season, with wins over No. 21 Oklahoma Baptist and Lindenwood-Belleville. Chelsea Nette leads the Crusaders at the plate with a .514 batting average and 14 hits, while Kimberly Gilbert adds a team-high 11 RBI. Hannah Moak is 4-1 in the circle with a 1.94 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 36.0 innings pitched to lead William Carey.

Saturday, Noon: Our Lady of the Lake (Texas) 9-3
The Saints, who are receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 Preseason Poll, are 9-3 to start the season, with two recent wins over CCAC member Calumet College of St. Joseph (10-2 & 8-4) March 3. Maegan Ramirez leads the Saints at the plate with a .433 average and 13 hits, teammate Kristina Tiffany bats .432 with a team-high 14 RBI and Katrisha Arocha is 5-2 in the circle with a 3.23 ERA and 40 Ks.

Saturday, 4 p.m..: No. 20 Brenau (Ga.) 10-1
The No. 20-ranked Golden Tigers have raced to a 10-1 start in 2015, winning their last five games by a combined 43-23 margin. Brenau’s lone loss came in a 6-0 decision to No. 3-ranked Reinhardt (Ga.) Feb. 21. Mackenzie Oliver leads the Golden Tigers at the plate with a .462 batting average and 12 hits and Elizabeth Schneider adds a .400 batting averaging and a team-best 13 RBI to go along with her .829 slugging percentage. In the circle, Madison Gosset holds a 6-1 record with a 1.29 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 43.1 innings pitched. Brenau finished 34-13 overall in 2014.

Sunday, TBA
The Peregrines will open single-elimination tournament play based on their performance in pool play. Teams and times to be announced.

Live stats may be provided for selected contests at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/puc/ and live updates will be available for the entire trip on Twitter by following the official page of #PeregrineNation, @PurdueCalSports