The Niagara softball team (1-4) continues its 2013 campaign with a tour of the Sunshine State this upcoming week, first with double-headers against Stetson on March 1 in Deland, Fla. before traveling to Daytona Beach to take on Bethune-Cookman on March 3.

The Purple Eagles are led by senior Becky Zill  who has a .357 batting average along with a team high four RBIs and the sole homerun this season. Sophomore Desarae Maldonado leads the squad with a .429 batting average and an impressive slugging percentage of .714.

On the mound, junior transfer Jennifer Sansano registered her first win as a Purple Eagle in just her second start in a 9-1 rout over North Carolina Central. On the season, Sansano has pitched a 3.18 ERA and has struck out seven batters in eleven innings.
 
Stetson (6-6)

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The Hatters come into Friday winning five of their last six after dropping the first five out of six to begin the season. Chelsea Whalley is the big hitter for Stetson, who holds a batting average of .333 with a team-high 11 RBIs to go with her three homeruns.

The Purple Eagles will likely face Meredith Owen on the mound for Stetson. Owen is 6-2 with a 1.40 earned-run average, and has struck out 27 batters in 45 innings this season.
 

Bethune-Cookman (2-12)

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Bethune-Cookman enters Sunday after going 1-5 in the Hatter Classic last weekend, posting its lone win over Dartmouth, 9-6. The DH against Niagara will be the first series at home for the Wildcats this season.

Michelle Banuelos-Smith leads the squad with a .351 batting average and a .541 slugging percentage, while Kelsey Rodney has a team-high six RBIs.

Two pitchers have seen action in the circle for the Wildcats this season, including Shanel Tolbert and Samantha Gale. Both pitchers have one win on the season, with Tolbert leading the ERA category with a 3.71.