Cardinal Points

Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Shumpei Kishi The Lady Cardinals huddle up after a win during last week's home game.

The Plattsburgh State softball team's endurance will be tested in the final two weeks of the season.

Because of the recent snowstorms, several games have been postponed, setting up a brutal two-week finish for the softball team.

The Cardinals play 20 games in the next 11 days, which are all SUNYAC conference games. The Cards will be on the road this weekend when they have doubleheaders at Fredonia, Buffalo State and Geneseo. Then the team will be back for a long home-stand that consists of doubleheaders against Potsdam, New Paltz and Oneonta.

"There is some concern," Head Coach Sean Cotter said. "We hit a wall last year during regionals so we're looking to make the last five weeks our strongest weeks, including these two."

The team has been working hard to make sure they don't tire out.

"We are working extremely hard on conditioning," pitcher Jaclyn Leitze said. "We are determined not to hit that wall this year and hopefully our hard work pays off in the end."

Leitze and Stephanie Zweig, who have carried the Cardinals all year, are expected to pitch 10 games apiece during this 11-day, 20-game stretch.

"They are both power pitchers but I think they will be fine," Cotter said. "They look forward to the challenge, they are two young arms and I think they will carry us through the stretch run."

The Cardinals start with its road trip today at Fredonia. Fredonia is 8-10 with a 2-4 record in the SUNYAC standings. They currently sit in a tie for fifth.

Fredonia will pitch Casey Mazurek and Andrea Cornelius. Mazurek has been dominant this season with a 1.93 ERA with 82 strikeouts in 60 innings, more dominant than her 5-5 record would suggest. Cornelius is 4-4 with a 4.42 ERA and has 44 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched.

Fredonia has a trio of spectacular bats in its lineup that the Cards will need to shut down in order to come out successful.

Andrea DeVon is batting .408 with a home run and nine RBIs, Casey Mazurek is hitting .365 with two home runs and 13 RBIs, and Samantha Voncina is hitting .327 with four home runs and 13 RBIs. Voncina has created havoc on the basepaths as well with five stolen bases in six attempts.

Tomorrow, the Cards will travel to Buffalo State (16-4), who is tied for first in the SUNYAC conference with a 6-2 record. Buffalo State will put Aimee Fisher and Nicole Sabuda on the mound. Fisher is 9-1 with a 1.73 ERA with 93 strikeouts in 64 innings pitched while Subuda is 6-2 with a 1.37 ERA and has struck out 24 batters in 46 innings pitched.

Continued...

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