Diamond 9 Events open their field for another great weekend of softball following the Citrus Blossom Invitational.

This weekend Notre Dame, UAB, Fordham, Iowa, and Morgan State will compete at the Citrus Classic from February 22-24 in Orlando, Florida.

How To Watch | Citrus Classic I

Notre Dame (4-6)

The Fighting Irish are off to a promising season beating top-ranked opponents Washington, Oklahoma State, Ohio State, and Liberty. On offense, freshman Quinn Biggio leads the team in batting average (.368) with one home run and four RBIs. Seniors Caitlyn Brooks and MK Bonamy have combined for four home runs and 12 RBIs. In the circle, the Fighting Irish pitch by committee using Alexis Holloway, Payton Tidd, and Morgan Ryan.

UAB (5-5)

Head Coach Jimmy Kolaitis is hoping his Blazers will do some damage this weekend behind the bats of Sarah Crawford, Claire Blount, Faith Hegh, and transfers Jenna Olszewski and Dylinn Stancil. The Blazers have put up 65 runs in the last 10 games but have also given up 73. Their pitching staff comprised of Bailie Barnes, Blount, and Emily Kachel will need to keep the walks and runs to a minimum to give UAB a chance to get above .500. 

Fordham (4-5)

The Rams notched a number of wins over Incarnate Word, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, and Utah Valley to start the season. Their pitching staff is four pitchers deep with A-10 Championship’s Most Outstanding player Madie Aughinbaugh, Makenzie McGrath, Anne Marie Prentiss, and Gianna Ranieri. This group will need to keep the ball in the park to keep them in the game. On offense, expect Molly Roark, Aughinbaugh, Rachel Hubertus, or Jordy Storm to step up in RISP moments. Don’t be surprised to see First Team All-Conference standout Chelsea Skepenak to swipe a couple bags this weekend. 

Iowa (3-6)

Renee Gillispie’s Hawkeyes seek redemption on their second weekend in Florida as they dropped games against Villanova, Missouri, and St. Joe’s. Second Team All-Midwest honoree Allison Doocy led Iowa to their two wins last weekend over Kansas and UMass striking out 14. Standouts on offense are Mallory Killian, Donirae Mayhew, and Aralee Bogar who combine for speed and run production.

Morgan State (0-5)

The Bears are off to a rough start this season but are seeking their first win at the Citrus Classic. Last season they were 28-17 and this season they return Preseason All-MEAC Player of the Year Damali Young. Young is already leading the team in hitting batting .625 with two steals. Look for Haylee Bobos and Evvie Buehlman to add run support for the Bears. Mikayla Barnard has seen the most innings in the circle with a 1.17 ERA. Expect Sarah Heagy and Stephanie Rundlett to share some time on the mound for the Bears.