After closing the season with a nonconference sweep of Arcadia, the Cougars finished 24-12 (11-5 Freedom) and in first place atop the conference. A win over Manhattanville on April 25 clinched top seed for the Freedom Conference.

 

The Cougars will play fifth seeded King's on Friday at Wilkes. The Cougars swept the Monarchs, 4-1 and 8-4, at home on April 9.

 

Historically, the two teams are near equals. The Cougars lead the series 16-13 since 1990.

 

Kat Lucenti will take the mound for the Cougars in game one. Lucenti finished 13-6 with a 2.23 ERA in 20 games.

 

Lucenti allowed just one run in a complete game against the Monarchs this season. She struck out nine.

 

Katie Eiden will follow in game two. Eiden finished 11-6 with a 2.24. She struck out 119 batters in 121.2 innings.

 

Third baseman Hollie Sarnak led the offense with a .395 average, 23 runs and 11 doubles. Sarnak blasted a two-run homerun in the teams' last meeting.

 

Catcher Nicole Hoskins led with six homeruns and 34 RBIs. She had four hits against the Monarchs last time around.

 

Action begins Friday at 11 a.m. at Wilkes. DeSales will play Delaware Valley at 1:00 with the winner's to meet at 3:00.

The double-elimination tournament will continue through Saturday.  Individual game tickets $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. All session passes cost $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students.

 

The Freedom Champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.