University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Lady Eagles Face Mississippi State, Start Softball Season at Starkville
2/3/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Lady Eagles Face Mississippi State, Start Softball Season at Starkville
Jessica Holaway, a Conference USA preseason all-conferenc performer, leads the Lady Eagles in their season opener against Mississippi State |
Day/Date/Time: Tuesday, Feb. 4, 3 p.m.
Location: Mississippi State Softball Field, Starkville, Miss.
Media Coverage: In-Game Stats will be featured on SouthernMiss.com
Series Record: Mississippi State leads the series, 19-7
The Southern Miss softball team opens its season on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 3 p.m., in a single game, against Mississippi State.
Last Year?s Match-ups
Last season, Southern Miss won two-of-three games against MSU. The Lady Eagles won 7-2 over the Bulldogs in a contest during the Bulldog Classic on Feb. 16, 2002. Kenya Peters went three-for-three in the contest, Tammy Edwards went two-for-three with a home run and scored two runs and Jessica Holaway went the distance, giving up eight hits, one walk and striking out nine.
In a doubleheader in Hattiesburg, on April 3, Mississippi State won the opener, 6-2, and the Lady Eagles took the nightcap, 3-0. Kate Jaspers led the Bulldogs in their opening win of the doubleheader, going two-for-four, with a run scored and had three RBIs.
MSU pitcher Kasey Whitehead got the win in game one, coming on in relief and pitching two innings. She gave up only one hit. Kellie Wilkerson got the save, tossing the final two frames and giving up only a hit. Wilkerson also finished the doubleheader, batting three-for-five, with a run.
Diane Hammes batted three-for-six on the night. In game one, she finished one-for-three, and in the second game, she stroked two-for-three with a double and a run scored.
About the Bulldogs
Head Coach Jay Miller starts his first season, leading the Mississippi State softball team. He joins the Bulldogs with an 18-year coaching record of 707-408, making the transition from the University of Missouri. Miller faced the Lady Eagles last season at the NFCA Leadoff Classic, leading the Tigers in a 2-1 loss.
Jennifer Nelson and Iyhia McMichael lead MSU?s eight returning starters. Nelson batted .370 in 2002 with eight RBIs. She also pitched in eight games, collected a 2-1 record with a 4.08 ERA and 11 strikeouts. McMichael batted .333 with four home runs and 48 RBIs.
The Bulldogs feature a staff of five pitchers, including Melissa Massey, who posted an 8-14 record with a 2.43 ERA and 68 strikeouts. Senior Courtney Franks returns after a two-year sabbatical, and she claimed a 7-6 record in 2000 with a 2.74 ERA and 29 strikeouts.
New Faces
With only five returning starters back from last season, the Lady Eagles will experience a shakeup in the starting lineup.
Edwards is the sole infield returner, reclaiming her position at first base, and is expected to lead the newcomers manning the bags. The senior is a Conference USA preseason all-conference performer. She batted .216 last season, with five home runs and 20 RBIs.
Melanie Hymel is the projected starter at second base. The junior played at second last season and batted .178 with a team-best four triples.
The left side of the infield will experience a youth movement, as freshmen Jessica Huerta and Ashley Brenan will start at shortstop and third base, respectively. Both saw action in the infield last fall and were key contributors in the Lady Eagles going 8-0 during the fall season.
Deep in the Outfield
The Lady Eagle outfield features the most depth it has had in years. Seven players are listed to play in the outfield with senior Amanda Brown leading the squad. The leftfielder is a C-USA preseason all-conference performer.
Auriel Jenkins is projected to start in center field. The junior returns after an injury cut her season short. She committed only one error in 21 games started.
Sarah Boyd should start in right field. The junior was a second-team All-C-USA performer last season, batting .276 with a .569 slugging percentage against conference foes.
Eagles on the Mound
Holaway leads the Lady Eagle pitchers. She starts the season as a Conference USA preseason all-conference performer. The junior finished last season with a 15-13 record, a 2.23 ERA and 136 strikeouts.
Danielle Hatfield has been struggling with a viral infection the last few weeks. The junior transferred from Central Arizona College, where she posted a 35-1 record last season with a 0.92 ERA and 159 strikeouts.
Freshman Danielle Wymer demonstrated her potential last fall, as she pitched a 1-0 shutout against Texas A&M. She is a versatile athlete who also may see action as a backup at first base.
Home Opener
Southern Miss will play its home opener on Tuesday, Feb. 11, hosting Northwestern (La.) State in a doubleheader at 5:30 p.m. The Demons finished 2002 with a 45-25 record and won the Southland Conference Tournament.
