THOMASVILLE, Ga. - The Thomas University softball team will travel to Lawrenceville, Ga., this weekend to face the University of Rio Grande and Georgia Gwinnett College on Saturday and Sunday.
 
The Lady Night Hawks (5-3) are eager to get back on the diamond after only playing a total of four games in a span of 20 days.  Sophomore Michael Cooper leads TU in batting average (.364) and runs batted in (13).  Junior outfielder Brittany Daniels leads the Lady Night Hawks in total stolen bases with four.  Sophomore pitcher Katie Lopes (3-1) leads Thomas in wins and earned run average (2.52) while senior pitcher Ashley Chapman (1-1) leads the team in total strikeouts (18).
 
Rio Grande will begin their 2016 softball season with Reinhardt University Friday before taking on Thomas Saturday.  The defending Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champions finished last season with a 32-16 record and an appearance at the NAIA Softball tournament.  The Red Storm boasts a few key returners for 2016. Sophomore catcher Tayler Arndt finished with a team high .376 batting average and runs batted in (41).  Junior pitcher Jenna Jones led the team in earned run average (1.83) and total strikeouts recorded (116).
 
Georgia Gwinnett (11-3) has won seven of their last eight games.  Junior catcher Brashante Darius leads the Grizzlies in runs batted in (14).  Senior pitcher Ashley Beyke (5-0) is the team's primary pitcher, leading the team in wins while striking out 35 and limiting opponents to only 6.17 hits a game.  Earlier this season (February 6^th), GGC and Thomas split a doubleheader. GGC took game one 14-7 in nine innings with TU taking game two, 12-5.
 
First pitch against Rio Grande is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday and set for 11 a.m. Sunday, while the first pitch against Georgia Gwinnett is scheduled for 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
 
Saturday's Game Day Coverage
Live Stats (URG)              Live Stats (GGC)
Live Video (URG)             Live Video (GGC)
 
Sunday's Game Day Coverage
Live Stats (URG)              Live Stats (GGC)
Live Video (URG)             Live Video (GGC)
 
For up-to-date information on the upcoming season and other TU Athletics, visit www.TUNightHawks.com.  Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, and feature stories of your TU softball team by following them via Twitter at @NightHawksSoftb.