Games 38 and 39: Fairleigh Dickinson (23-21, 6-10 NEC) at Mount St. Mary's (12-24, 4-8 NEC)
When: Sat, Apr. 30, 2011, 1 p.m.
Where: Our Lady of the Meadows Field, Emmitsburg, Md.

Series Information: Mount leads 13-5
Last Meeting: FDU (5-4) 5-1-10
First Meeting: FDU (1-0) 4-22-01
Last Mount Win: (8-1) 5-1-10

Opening Pitch: Saturday's doubleheader between Mount St. Mary's and Fairleigh Dickinson marks the 19th and 20th meetings in the all-time series dating back to the 2001 season. The Mount leads the series 13-5, but the Knights snapped a seven-game losing streak in the matchup with a 5-4 decision in the nightcap last season. The Mount won the opener, 8-1.

The Word On Fairleigh Dickinson: The Knights come into the contest 23-21 overall and 6-10 in Northeast Conference play after defeating Columbia 4-2 on Thursday. Caitlin Bradac leads the team with a .344 batting average, 44 hits, 20 runs scored, 11 doubles, four homers and 29 RBIs. Berkleigh Massey ranks second on the team with a .295 batting average, 36 hits, 21 runs scored, seven doubles, a triple, four homers and 17 RBIs while Marrika Benson is hitting .281 with 36 hits, 16 runs scored, six doubles, and 14 RBIs. Maire Shaughnessy leads the team with an 8-7 record, a 2.27 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 111.0 innings pitched.

Last Time We Met: Liz Christiansen tied the single-season program record for home runs and RBIs to lift Mount St. Mary's past Fairleigh Dickinson 8-1 in the first game on May 1, 2010. The Knights won the nightcap, 5-4. Christiansen went 2-for-4 with a home run, four RBIs and a runs scored in the opening game. Taylor Beebe added a hit and five runs scored for the Mount while Beth Everist posted four hits, five RBIs and a run scored in the two games. Mikayla Fernandez fueled the Knights with five hits and two RBIs and Dana Walker chipped in two hits, two RBIs and a run scored in the second game.

Games 40 and 41: Central Connecticut State (22-19-1, 8-8 NEC) at Mount St. Mary's (12-24, 4-8 NEC)
When: Sun, Apr. 30, 2011, 12 p.m.
Where: Our Lady of the Meadows Field, Emmitsburg, Md.

Series Information: Mount leads 13-11
Last Meeting: Mount (12-1) 3-28-10
First Meeting: Mount (7-6) 4-2-99
Last CCSU Win: (9-1) 3-28-10

Opening Pitch: Sunday's twinbill between Mount St. Mary's and Central Connecticut State marks the 25th and 26th meetings in the all-time series dating back to the 1999 season. The Mount holds a 13-11 edge in the series after winning seven of the last 10 in the matchup. The two teams split the doubleheader last year after the Blue Devils won the opener 9-1 and the Mountaineers taking the nightcap, 12-1.

The Word On Central Connecticut State: The Blue Devils, who battles Monmouth on Saturday, comes into the weekend 22-19-1 overall and 8-8 in Northeast Conference play after splitting with Fairfield on Wednesday. Tessa Bruno leads the team with a .352 batting average, 50 hits, 33 runs scored, seven doubles, a triple, three homers and 21 RBIs. Amanda Dilworth ranks second on the team with a .339 batting average, 41 hits, 24 runs scored, nine doubles, one triple, four RBIs and 23 RBIs while Kelsey Barlow is batting .308 with 40 hits, 21 runs scored, six doubles, seven home runs and 32 RBIs. Jordan Tingley fuels the hurlers with a 9-8 record, a 3.75 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 106.1 innings pitched.

Last Time We Met: Liz Christiansen went 5-for-5 with three home runs and seven RBIs to lead Mount St. Mary's past Central Connecticut State 12-1 in the second game on Mar. 28, 2010. The Blue Devils won the opener, 9-1. Christiansen singled in the first and scored, hit a solo homer in the third, a three-run shot in the fourth, singled in the sixth and drilled her second three-run shot in the seventh to complete the afternoon 5-for-5 with four runs scored, three homers and seven RBIs. Amanda Hanson allowed one run on six hits with three strikeouts to earn her sixth win of the year. Courtney Zingle went 3-for-4 in the nightcap with two runs scored and two RBIs for the Mount while Lisa Curreri had three hits, three runs scored and two RBIs on the afternoon. Sara Budrick paced the Blue Devils with two hits, three runs scored and three RBIs while Katherine Knowles added three hits, two RBIs and a run scored, and Jaclyn Logan also knocked in two runs in the opener for Central Connecticut State.

Last Time Out: Towson used a pair of shutouts to sweep a doubleheader on Tuesday. The Tigers took the opener 12-0 in five innings and then won the nightcap, 3-0. Chloe Mizianty paced the Mount with two hits in the opener while Taylor Beebe, Courtney Zingle and Nicole Reeder each had two base hits in the nightcap.

Thank you, seniors: Mount St. Mary's would like to thanks seniors Beth Everist, Amanda Hanson, Nicole Reeder, Courtney Zingle and Jenna Zimmerman for their hard work and dedication to the Mount and the softball program for the last four years. They will be honored in between games on Sunday against Central Connecticut State.

Next On Tap: Mount St. Mary's will conclude its regular season next weekend with a pair of makeup conference twinbills. The Mount hosts Monmouth on Saturday and then will travel to Robert Morris on Synday.

Rain, Rain Go Away...: The Mount has postponed its last three doubleheaders because of field conditions and pending weather. The Mountaineers have four doubleheaders remaining on its schedule with four twinbills against Morgan State, George Mason, Robert Morris and Monmouth being postponed. The Hawks doubleheader will be made up on May 7 and the twinbill at Robert Morris is scheduled for May 8.

Mizianty Honored By The League: Chloe Mizianty was named the Akadema/Northeast Conference Player of the Week for the week of Apr. 11-17. It is the junior's first conference honor. Mizianty helped the Mount to four-straight victories for the squad's longest winning streak of the year after batting .500 (6-for-12) with six hits, seven runs scored, eight RBIs and two home runs with a slugging percentage of 1.000 and an on-base percentage of .600. Mizianty's big contribution came during the Mountaineers sweep against Saint Francis (Pa.) on Sunday. The junior went 5-for-6 with two home runs, six runs scored and seven RBIs in the twinbill and posted a 1.833 slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .875. In a 17-3 win against the Red Flash, the junior went 4-for-4 with two home runs, six RBIs and four runs scored.

Reeder Playing The The Top-10 Tune: Senior Nicole Reeder ranks in the Top-10 in six categories for her career and its knocking on the Top-10 in two categories. The senior is second in games played (189) with former teammate Amanda Burk (195, 2006-09) holding the top spot. Reeder also ranks ninth in RBIs (66) with Erica Barone (67, 1998-01) one RBI ahead of her. With four walks against UMBC on Apr. 14, the senior became the program's all-time career bases on balls leader and now stands at 59. Reeder ranks fourth in plate appearances (500) with teammate Courtney Zingle (538) directly ahead of Reeder. The senior moved into sixth place for doubles (25) with Nicki Trumpler (27, 1996-99) next on the list. She cracked the Top-10 in total bases with 160 and can move up a spot with four total bases. Reeder is also five hits and four home runs from jumping into the Top-10 in each of those categories.

Top-10 Has A Nice Zing For Courtney: Senior Courtney Zingle ranks in the Top-10 in eight offensive career categories. Zingle is fourth in games played (182) with former teammate Lisa Curreri (184, 2007-10) next on the line.  The senior is also third in at-bats (545) with Curreri (556) next on the list. She also ranks fourth for runs scored (84), needing seven to pass Patti Schaefer (90, 1983-86). Zingle stands second in hits (154) with former teammate Amanda Burk (193, 2006-09) the only player ahead of her in the category. The senior is third in RBIs (82) with teammate Beth Everist (88) sitting in second place. Zingle also stands fifth in total bases (206) with Danyale Goode (237, 2003-06) next in line. Zingle also recently moved into sixth place for career homer runs with 10, needing three long balls to tie Amanda Blizzard (13, 1999-02) for fifth place. She also jumped into seventh place for career doubles (24) with teammate Nicole Reeder (25) sitting one ahead of Zingle.

Mounting The Top-10 For Everist: Senior Beth Everist ranks in the Top-10 in home runs, RBIs, total bases and doubles and is climbing toward the Top-10 in one other category. The senior tied Danyale Goode's (18, 2003-06) all-time career record  for home runs with a two-run shot in the bottom of the seventh inning of the nightcap against Bryant on Apr. 18 and can establish a new mark with her next home run. She also sits second in RBIs (88) former teammate Amanda Burk (102, 2006-09) the only person ahead of her. The senior just joined the Top-10 in total bases with 180 with Nicki Trumpler (185) next up. The senior cracked the Top-10 for doubles and sits in 10th place with 22 twobaggers. Next on the list is Amanda Blizzard (23, 1999-02). Everist can move into the Top-10 with 22 hits.

Taylor Made For Top-10: Junior Taylor Beebe is fourth with 29 career doubles with Erica Barone (30, 1998-01) in third place. The junior posted 14 doubles in her freshman year, which was the second most in program history for a single season. The junior moved into fifth place for bases on balls (52) with Ashley Monsour (55, 2004-07) next on the list. Beebe moved into seventh place for runs scored (76) with Tonia Bruno (79, 1994-97) next on the list. She can also join the Top-10 with 28 hits, four home runs and 15 total bases.

Zimmerman A Gamer: Senior Jenna Zimmerman moved into the Top-10 for games played with a 153 games. Next on the list are Heather Macready (154, 1998-01) and Eileen Williams (156, 2001-04) in eighth and seventh place, respectively.

All Hanson On Top-10: Senior Amanda Hanson ranks in the Top-10 for her career in games pitched, wins, innings pitched and strikeouts. The senior is fifth in games pitched (80) with Alicia Moraca (88, 2000-03) next on the list. Hanson ranks 10th in wins (14), two behind Haynie in ninth place. She also stands in ninth place for innings pitched (338.1) with Jamie Mataldi (356.0) next on the list. Hanson is also seventh in strikeouts and can become the sixth pitcher in program history with 200 punchouts with 14 strikeouts. Next on the list in strikeouts is Allison Moraca (212, 2000-03).

Sadowl Pitching Her Way Into The Top-10 Too: Junior Amanda Sadowl ranks seventh in program history in games pitched (74). Next on the list is Jess Miller (75, 1998-01). She also sits in sixth place in wins (23). Sadowl became the seventh player in program history to become a 20-game winner and needs two wins to move ahead of Reanna Tuczynski (24, 2004-07) for fifth place. Sadowl is eighth in strikeouts (146) with teammate Amanda Hanson (186) next on the list in seventh place. The junior moved into the Top-10 for innings pitched (337.1) with Hanson next up with 338.1 innings pitched.

Here Comes Pagano Too... Sophomore Nicole Pagano has moved into 10th place in program history for career strikeouts with 126. Iris Haynie (141, 1992-95) is next on the list with 141 Ks. The sophomore is also one win away from teammate Amanda Hanson (14) for 10th place for career wins at the Mount.

UMBC All-Tournament Team: Beth Everist, Erin Leddy and Amanda Sadowl were named to the UMBC Tournament All-Tournament team. Everist batted .500 (5-for-10) in the three games with two runs scored a double and four RBIs. The senior went 4-for-4 with a double and three RBIs in a 9-0 win against UMBC on Friday. Everist also smacked her first home run of the season in the second inning against Iona to help the Mountaineers rally to a 4-3 victory against the Gaels. Leddy hit .375 (3-for-8) in the tournament with two runs scored, a homer and four RBIs. The sophomore propelled the Mount to the win against Iona with a three-run home run in the fifth inning to erase a 2-1 deficit and hand the Mountaineers the lead for good. Leddy coaxed a bases loaded RBI walk against the Retrievers and registered two hits in a 2-1 loss against Liberty on Friday. Sadowl tossed a three-hit complete-game shutout with four strikeouts in the win against UMBC. The right-hander scattered three hits and did not allow a runner past second base in the victory.

For Openers: Mount St. Mary's won its season open for the second-straight season and the third time in the last five years. Head coach Anna Nagro became the first coach in program history to win in her first game as a Mount head coach.

In Their Debut: Freshmen Katy Bobbitt and Cat Clifford both made their collegiate debut in the starting lineup against George Mason on Mar. 2. Bobbitt picked up her first collegiate hit in the seventh inning of the first game against the Patriots. Clifford notched her first collegiate hit against UMBC on Mar. 4. Fellow freshmen Courtney Mason and Lindsay Ruhle saw their first collegiate action as pinch runners in the second game against George Mason while Bre Lohman and Alyssa Silipino were used as pinch hitters against the Retrievers for their first college appearance.

Preseason Poll: The Mount St. Mary's softball team has been picked eighth in the Northeast Conference preseason poll. Long Island, who has won the NEC championship seven times in the last 10 years, nabbed nine of the 11 first-place votes to be selected as the preseason favorite. Monmouth garnered the other two first-place nods to finish second in the poll while Robert Morris, Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart, Central Connecticut State, Wagner, the Mount, Bryant, Saint Francis (Pa.) and Fairleigh Dickinson rounded out the 11-team poll.

All-Conference Returners: Mount St. Mary's returns junior 2010 All-NEC second-team selection Taylor Beebe for the 2011 season. Fellow junior Liz Christiansen was named to the 2010 All-NEC first team and the inaugural Defensive Player of the Year, but will miss the season due to an injury.

The Roster: The 2011 softball roster is composed of five seniors, four juniors, five sophomores and six freshmen. Junior Liz Christiansen will sit out the year and red shirt due to an injury.

New To The Mountain: Along with first-year head coach Anna Nagro, freshmen Katy Bobbitt, Cat Clifford, Bre Lohman, Courtney Mason, Lindsey Ruhle and Alyssa Silipino join the softball team this season.

Local Products: Senior Jenna Zimmerman, a 2007 graduate of Walkersville High School, registered 54 hits, 32 runs scored, six doubles, a homer and 25 RBIs in her first two seasons at the Mount. Sophomore Emily Wilson joins the team after graduating from Tuscarora in 2009.

About The Coach: Anna Nagro enters her first season as the head coach of the Mount softball team. She comes the Mount from D'Youville College, a Division III program in Buffalo, N.Y.  In three seasons with the Spartans, Nagro led the team to 42 victories. She took over a team that was coming off a 5-21 season in 2007 and guided the team to a 15-22 overall mark and 11-7 in conference for a 10-game improvement in her first season. D'Youville then went 17-17 overall and 13-3 in league play in her second season and the squad's final year in the Northeastern Athletic Conference.

Wivell Returns To The Field: Former Mount softball standout Jen (Sansevero) Wivell will be in her first season as an assistant coach at the Mount. Wivell garnered All-Northeast Conference second-team honors as a designated player in 2003 after batting .362 with five runs, 17 hits, seven doubles and eight RBI in NEC action. A two-year captain, Wivell left the Mount as the all-time leader in bases on balls (48) and currently sits in third place in the category.