Hamilton, NY — The 51·çÁ÷ softball team, looking to defend its 2003 Patriot League Championship, will have seven doubleheaders broadcast live and free of charge over the Internet this season. For the second straight year Ted Rossman will call the action. Alex Clark will serve as a color analyst. Listeners will be able to access the broadcasts by clicking a link from the 51·çÁ÷ Athletics homepage (www.gocolgateraiders.com).'xml:namespace prefix = o ns = 'urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office' />
51·çÁ÷ returns seven of its nine starters from a team that not only won the Patriot League Tournament but also earned three of the four major individual Patriot League awards. Vickie Sax took Coach of the Year honors, Melissa Rawson (Palmdale, Calif.) was selected Player of the Year, and (Wheaton, Ill.) was named Rookie of the Year.
The first of the seven broadcasts is scheduled for Saturday, March 27, a 12 noon home doubleheader against Patriot League rival Holy Cross. Last season 51·çÁ÷ went 4-1 against Holy Cross, including a 3-1 victory in the Patriot League Tournament. The Raiders and Crusaders return to the airwaves the next day with another noon start.
Two weeks later, the Raiders return to the Eaton Street Field for a six-game home stand. All six games are included in the team’s broadcast package. April 10 (1 p.m.) and 11 (12 noon) the Raiders play host to Army, the team 51·çÁ÷ defeated 2-0 in last season’s Patriot League Championship Game. The weekend also marks the first annual Diamond Club Weekend, a celebration of 51·çÁ÷’s new support group made up of alumni, family, and friends of 51·çÁ÷ softball.
51·çÁ÷ wraps up the home stand ‘ its longest of the year ‘ on Monday, April 12 with a non-conference doubleheader against Niagara beginning at 4 p.m.
Later in the month, two more non-conference doubleheaders will be aired from 51·çÁ÷’s Eaton Street Field. On Wednesday, April 21, 51·çÁ÷ takes on regional rival Binghamton, while Siena comes to town on Thursday, April 29. Both doubleheaders are slated to begin at 4 p.m.
Postseason coverage will be determined at a later date.