GREENVILLE, NC -- The University of Delaware softball team will open its 2007 season this weekend when the Blue Hens participate in the Holiday Inn Express Pirate Clash hosted by East Carolina University.

The Blue Hens, who were picked sixth in the Colonial Athletic Association Preseason Coaches Poll, kick off the season on Friday as Delaware faces Binghamton at 12 noon and East Carolina at 4 p.m. On Saturday Delaware will take on Vermont at 10 a.m. and Fordham at 2 p.m., while the Blue Hens will play one game on Sunday in the playoff round in a time to be determined.

Delaware returns nine starters and welcomes seven newcomers for the 2007 season. The Blue Hens went 33-24 last year, finished in fourth place in the CAA with a 10-10 record, and advanced to the conference tournament.

Delaware will be led by senior pitcher Carolynn Sloat (right), who earned second team All-Mid Atlantic Region honors last season after going 19-16 with a 1.85 earned run average and leading the CAA in innings pitched. Junior second baseman Allison Borchers will pace the Blue Hen offense after earning first team all-conference and all-region honors in 2006.
Borchers led Delaware with a .382 batting average, 73 hits, 36 runs scored, seven triples and 105 total bases.

After Wednesday’s doubleheader with Saint Joseph’s was postponed, Delaware will open its home season on Wednesday, April 4 with a 3 p.m. doubleheader against La Salle.