University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Softball Ready For Fall Tournament
10/6/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Softball Ready For Fall Tournament
Head Coach Gay McNutt begins her sixth season at the helm of Southern Miss softball in 2006. |
Southern Miss opens the tournament with a 9 a.m., contest against William Carey, before facing
The Lady Eagles welcome 10 newcomers to the team this season, that returns six position starters and three pitchers from last year?s team that finished 29-32. Seven freshmen join the team, including Kristen Pilgrim, Nicole Chisolm, Melody Rossell, Samantha Davis, Nicole Fontenot, Ashley Breland and Lacey Gros. The team also adds juniors Cindy Hayes and Kirby Shelby and senior Courtney Kelly. Kelly broke her ankle on Monday and will miss the remainder of the fall.
Head Coach Gay McNutt said the players are ready to hit the field this weekend.
?The players are chomping at the bit to get started,? McNutt said. ?You can only practice for so long before you get tired of it. We lost about two weeks of conditioning due to Hurricane Katrina, and we?re still a little bit out of shape, but we?ll catch up.?
McNutt said she hopes to get an idea of what her opening day lineup will be, once the team begins its season in February.
?We?re want everyone to push for a starting spot, but everyone can?t start,? McNutt said. ?The outfield is wide open. We?re looking to find that starting nine, then introduce role players.?
McNutt said she is pleased with the freshman class and newcomers so far in practice, and is eager to see how them on the field this weekend.
?This is the hardest working group of freshmen I?ve had since the 2003 class, our current senior class,? McNutt said. ?Practice has been a pleasure to be at. It?s exciting and fun. I don?t have to worry about their work ethic. The players come out and bust their tails every day. It?s going to be fun to see how our freshmen react to a live game situation, which you can?t replace. It?ll be fun to see how the react.?
McNutt said that after an adjustment period to practice, the players have shown a lot of ability.
?It took them about a week to adjust,? McNutt said. ?After that, they?ve got most things figured out. So far, we?ve seen some tremendous highlights from the freshmen, especially Nicole Chisholm, who has played centerfield in practice. She has the arm and speed to play outfield. We?ll look for big things from her, along with our other newcomers.?
Overall, McNutt said she sees a positive attitude exuding from the team, especially from the senior class, Ashley Brenan, Charity Butler, Ashley Davis, Jessica Huerta and Danielle Wymer.
?Their senior leadership has been tremendous,? McNutt said. ?They are excited as I am to get started, if not more so. They want to go out with a bang this season.?
Following Saturday?s tournament, Southern Miss travels to Spring,
Southern Miss is scheduled to open its 2006 season, competing in a Hawaii Tournament from Feb. 9-12.
2005 Softball Eagle Fall Classic Schedule
Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005
Southern Miss Softball Complex
9:00 a.m. Southern Miss vs. William Carey
11:30 a.m.
2:00 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m. Southern Miss vs.
William Carey Field
9:00 a.m.
11:30 a.m. William Carey vs.
2:00 p.m. William Carey vs.
Tournament Rules
1. Every team provides two game balls per game.
2. 1 hour, 45 minute time limit, or seven innings (finish the inning).
3. Eight run rule will be in effect.
4. Home team is listed first. Home team will be in the third base dugout (except when Southern Miss is playing).
5. No hitting on the field.
6. No spikes in the batting cage.
7. Pitchers must warm-up in the bullpens.
