WASHINGTON -

The Georgetown softball team continues the 2016 season this weekend as it travels to Chapel Hill, N.C. to participate in the Carolina Classic. The Hoyas are scheduled to open the tournament with a single game versus IUPUI at 12 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26. GU will then play a double header on Saturday, Feb. 27, with the first game coming against Fairfield at 10 a.m., following a second meeting with IUPUI at 1 p.m. The Hoyas will conclude the classic with a matchup against host North Carolina on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 3:30 p.m. Live stats for all games can be found on the Georgetown Softball schedule at www.guhoyas.com.

Georgetown is going into the Carolina Classic with a record of 1-7 after two full weekends of competition in the Charleston Southern Tournament and the Dolphin Invitational. The Blue & Gray have posted a total of 38 runs since the start of the season, which are eight more than GU had last season through its first three tournaments.

Samantha Giovanniello (Floral Park, N.Y./Floral Park Memorial) is leading the team both offensively and defensively. The senior tops the Hoya squad with four home runs, which has already surpassed her 2015 showing of three.

Having represented the Blue & Gray on the mound in five appearances, Giovanniello has also registered a team-best 14 strikeouts over 17.2 innings pitched.

Adding depth to the GU lineup are underclassmen Theresa Kane (Mystic, Conn./Stonington) and Mallory Belknap (Scottsdale, Ariz./Xavier College Prep). A lead-off hitter, Kane has recorded nine runs on eight hits, including a double and a triple. Belknap follows with seven runs on seven hits and one double. Overall, Georgetown has four batters recording a .300 batting average or higher.

IUPUI (3-6)
The Jags enter the Carolina Classic having won their last game in dramatic fashion, going 11 innings against in-state rival Indiana State. The Jags finished 2-2 in the Total Control Sports Invitational in Rosemont, Ill., last weekend and have gone 3-2 after a 0-4 start to the season.

Currently five IUPUI players are hitting better than .300, led by Delilah Wright who is hitting .360 and riding a five game hitting streak. Brooke Boetier leads the Jags on the mound, having won her last three starts, including going all 11 innings in the win against the Sycamores. The Fillmore, Ind. native took home Summit League Pitcher of the Week honors last week and has lowered her ERA to a team best 3.50

Fairfield (0-0)
The Hoyas second game will be against 2016 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) favorite, Fairfield. The Stags are opening the season at the Carolina Classic. Fairfield nearly returns its 2015 team that advanced to postseason play a year ago, including seniors Shelby Butwell, Nicole Capra, Lauren Falkanger, and Lauren Filicia.

North Carolina (4-6)
The final game for the Hoyas will be against ACC member, North Carolina. The hosts of the tournament split their last four games in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge going 1-1 against both Northwestern and Illinois.

Kristen Brown leads a powerful offensive attack for the Tar Heels, hitting .464 with four long balls and 16 RBI. Behind Brown, North Carolina has four other players over the .300 mark. The Tar Heels have also been strong on the base paths converting 16 of their 18 stolen base attempts.

In the circle the Tar Heels have looked to Kendra Lynch and she has delivered. Lynch has a 3-3 record and a 3.24 ERA in seven starts on the season, including four complete games. In her 41 innings pitched Lynch has struck out 26 batters and only allowed opposing hitters to hit .255.