Dartmouth Hosts Cornell and Princeton in 2017 Home Opener

Cornell / Princeton

Friday, April 7 vs. Cornell – 2 p.m.
Friday, April 7 vs. Cornell – 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 8 vs. Princeton – 12:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 8 vs. Princeton – 2:30 p.m.

THIS WEEKEND'S GAMES
After playing 24 games on the road, the Dartmouth softball team returns to Hanover for the 2017 home opener by hosting Cornell and Princeton.

SCOUTING THE BIG RED
Cornell enters the weekend at 6-11 overall after navigating a tough non-conference schedule. The Big Red opened Ivy League play last weekend, dropping a pair of games to Yale before splitting a doubleheader with Brown. Madeline Avery has been a solid contributor to Cornell's offense with a team-high 17 hits in 16 games. Bridgett Rooney has also been a threat at this dish, leading her team with 13 RBIs. In the circle, Maddie Orcutt has a team-best 4.45 ERA, while Lisa Nelson is 3-2 in eight appearances for the Big Red.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Princeton has gotten off to a fast start in Ancient Eight play as the Tigers are just one of two undefeated teams in Ivy play at 4-0. Entering the weekend 11-11 overall, Princeton is coming off a weekend sweep of the Bulldogs and the Bears, outscoring Yale 11-1 in the pair of games. Megan Donahey has started 21 of 22 games for the Tigers and currently leads her team with 28 hits including two triples. Meanwhile both Allison Harvery and Kaylee Grant have also been having solid seasons, as each are tied with a team-high 15 RBIs and four doubles. In the circle, Erica Nori and Claire Klausner have won five games, while Nori leads Princeton with a 2.70 ERA.

THREE STRIKES AND YOU'RE OUT
Dartmouth junior Breanna Ethridge has found success in the circle this season. The Loganville, Georgia native is second in the Ivy League in strikeouts, having fanned 61 batters in 18 appearances. She also leads the Big Green with seven complete games and 89.2 innings of work.

LEADING THE WAY
Dartmouth senior Maddie Damore has been hitting the ball well in her final season in a Big Green uniform. She has a team-high 24 hits including two home runs and four doubles.

S-E-C, S-E-C, S-E-C
All three members of the Dartmouth coaching staff have ties to the Southeastern Conference. Doepking played four seasons at Tennessee, helping the Lady Vols to an impressive 246-46 (.842) record from 2005-08, she also played in three consecutive Women's College World Series from 2005-07. Returning for her third season in Hanover is Molly Fichtner who graduated from Alabama in 2014. As a catcher for the Crimson Tide, Fichtner appeared in 102 games, starting 88. As a senior Fichtner reached the Women's College World Series and was named to the All-SEC Second Team. Joining the staff this year is Jackie Traina, who also is an Alabama graduate and former teammate of Fichtner. In 2012, Traina helped the Crimson Tide win its first National Championship, earning Women's College World Series MVP honors. Traina was also a member of the USA National Team in 2012, 2014 and 2015, where she won a gold medal at the World Cup of Softball in 2015.

FOLLOW ALONG
Can't make it to the games? All four contests will be streamed live in HD on the Ivy League Digital Network for subscribers. DartmouthSports.com will provide live stats links for those looking to follow along during the games.

LOOKING AHEAD
The Big Green will remain at home for a four-game series with Brown next weekend on Saturday and Sunday. Each doubleheader will began at 12:30 p.m.

Schedules