HELENA, Mont. – Carroll College softball travels to Arizona for a pair of doubleheaders against Benedictine University at Mesa and Arizona Christian University on Friday and Saturday.
 
First year program Benedictine is 0-6 on the season including loses to Arizona Christian.  The Redhawks' offense is led by Ashley Henderson who has a team-high .313 batting average.  Dayton Yingling has pitched every game for Benedictine going 0-6 with a 7.00 ERA in 40 innings with 13 strikeouts.
 
"They are a lot like us a year ago." said head coach Aaron Jackson.  "They are heavy in junior college kids so they are going to have some game experience."
 
Arizona Christian is 4-0 overall with wins against Embry-Riddle and Benedictine.  The Firestorm is led by Meaghen Nelson who is 8-14 (.571) with two RBIs and 11 total bases.  The pitching staff has only allowed four runs and is anchored by Jackie Aguilar, 2-0 in 12 innings with six strikeouts.
 
"They had a great season last year." Jackson said.  "They bring back their best pitcher and are picking up right where they left off a year ago."
 
The Saints are currently 4-2 on the season after finishing up action at the SoCal Classic in West Covina, California.  Carroll won their games against San Diego Christian (7-2), Hope International (6-3), Antelope Valley (5-3) and Embry-Riddle (8-0).
 
Paige Blake went 11-21 (.524) with three RBIs and two stolen bases during the tournament.  Taylor Otswald also added pop to the lineup going 7-15 (.467) with one home run and two RBIs in five games.
 
Saints' pitching is led by Megan Gipe and newcomer Ashley Davis.  Gipe is 1-1 with a 1.31 ERA in 16 innings with 12 strikeouts and two complete games.  Davis is 1-0 on the season with a 0.00 ERA in seven innings allowing three hits and striking out two.
 
First game for the Saints is at 1 p.m. on Friday in Mesa, Arizona.  Carroll starts its' second doubleheader at 11 a.m. in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday.  Live stats will be available during the Arizona Christian games here.