HELENA, Mont. -- Snowy weather in Montana has once again moved Carroll College Softball home games.
The Saints' (9-16, 2-10 Cascade Collegiate Conference) home series against Eastern Oregon (5-21, 2-10) has been changed twice in the past week, finally setting on a triple-header on Monday at the University of Montana in Missoula.
The games were originally scheduled to be played in Helena. A first change called for a doubleheader in Frenchtown, followed by two games at the University of Montana. The final change settled on dropping the fourth non-conference game of the series and playing the three counters on Monday.
"The change actually is a benefit for us," Saints coach
Aaron Jackson said. "It gave us a few extra days of rest after being on the road for so many weeks. It's been grueling for our team. Even though we're going back on the road at least we're not leaving the state of Montana. We're playing at a familiar place, which is good for us. Our team spirits are good."
It's the second home series that's been moved due to late winter conditions in the Queen City. Carroll previously was scheduled to play No. 3 Southern Oregon in Helena earlier this season, but was forced to relocate to Caldwell, Idaho, for the series.
The softball team has already logged over 5,000 miles of travel this season. With this weekend's relocation, the Saints only have two more home series left on their schedule: April 4-5 against Northwest Christian and then April 19-20 against British Columbia.
Carroll will be looking to break up a four-game losing skid. The Saints fell to No. 9 OIT four times in Klamath Falls, Oregon, last weekend.
"We still control our own destiny we just have to start taking care of business," Jackson said. "I think we're in a good place as a team and we're excited to get back on the field."
Freshman
Amber Brewer continues to lead the Saints' offense at about the halfway point of the season. Brewer is hitting .400 with two home runs and 15 RBI.
"That kid is just a competitor," Jackson said. "I think she finally realized what it takes to hit at the college level and then that consistency has gotten there. We knew she was going to be a feared hitter coming in. It was just going to take that mindset. She's in a great mindset right now. She feels nobody is going to beat her."
Senior pitcher
Tess Eaton leads the hurlers with an ERA of 3.77 and 49 total strikeouts (5.3 average).
The games will be played on Monday at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. It's potentially the only tripleheader the Saints will play this season.
"I think three games in a day is daunting but I think it's an advantage for us with our depth and our pitching staff being three deep," Jackson said.