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MOREHEAD, Ky. -- After a 12-day layoff, the Morehead State softball team travels to Nashville to open its Ohio Valley Conference schedule with a three-game set versus Belmont. The opener is set for Saturday at noon.
SERIES STORIESÂ Â Â
* MSU is 3-2 in its last five OVC openers.
* The Eagles won all three meetings with Belmont in 2013.
* Junior third baseman
Katie Raile finished 4-for-8 in the series.
* The Bruins are 2-3 at Rose Park this season.
EAGLE NOTES
Longball Lizzy
In the series with East Tennessee State, sophomore outfielder
Lizzy Margagliotti hit home runs in back-to-back at-bats. Her first career home run proved to be the game-winner in MSU's 3-1 victory over the Bucs. The Apex, N.C., native followed with a solo shot in her first at-bat the following day.
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Yes She Can
In just one game at the Plainsman Invite, senior shortstop,
Samantha Howard bested her 2013 total with two home runs and five RBI. The Pembroke, Ga., native hit one home run and drove in four last season, seeing action in 33 games with 20 starts. Howard currently leads the team with seven RBI.
Welcome to the Show
After finishing her debut campaign with just three at-bats sophomore first baseman
Dana Hutchins is currently ranked second on the team with a .324 batting average. The Bradenton, Fla., native also ranks second on the team with eight RBI, while leading the club with five walks and seven runs.
 Extra Extra
Of MSU's 72 hits, 29 percent (21 total) have been for extra bases. The Eagles have 12 doubles, two triples and seven home runs.
 Great Success
Through 15 games, senior co-captain
Jamie Massaro has nearly eclipsed all of her 2013 hitting totals. The Youngstown, Ohio native leads the team with a .348 batting average, with a double, a triple, a home run and three RBI. In 2013, she had nine hits with one home run and two RBI. Â Â Â
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We Can Hit
The Eagles finished the 2013 season in the top five in the OVC in nearly  every offensive category. MSU led the league in batting average (.326) and sacrifice flies (15). The Eagles finished second in slugging percentage (.436) and on-base percentage (.374). The .326 batting average was 26th best in NCAA Division I.
 Preseason Picks     Â
MSU was picked to finish fourth in the OVC East Division in a poll of the league's coaches and sports information directors. The Eagles finished fourth in the division with a 10-14 mark last season. Jacksonville State was selected to win the east, while SIU Edwardsville was picked to take the west. Â
Let Them Play
Morehead State played its last game on March 2. Since then, there have been six contests canceled or postponed, due to weather. Last season, MSU had a stretch of 11 days without games.
