University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Softball Continues Season Preparations
1/19/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 19, 2006
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss softball team continued its preparations for the 2006 season today, with a three-hour practice at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.
Head Coach Gay McNutt said the team, which began practicing on Jan. 12, is making a lot of solid progress.
"We're getting better every day," McNutt said. "We are not where we need to peak, and that's a good thing. I feel confident in our hitters and our pitchers are getting better every day. We're starting to put things together and I'm pleased where we are so far."
The one thing that bothers McNutt, is injuries. The team suffered several injuries in the fall season, as freshman infielder Nicole Fontenot (dizziness); freshman outfielder Nicole Chisolm (foot surgery) and sophomore pitcher Krystal Crooks (shoulder surgery) either missed the fall season, or missed a good portion of it. In addition, freshman infielder Ashley Breland (rotator cuff surgery) will be lost for the season, and will redshirt in 2006.
"We've still got some nagging injuries that are frustrating us," McNutt said. "We're having to practice some people out of position. By February 9, we'll be ready to go. I am a little concerned with Nicole Chisolm. She will be cleared to practice in time for our season opener, but we won't have a lot of practice time with her. I'm not concerned with February 9; I'm concerned with where we finish in May."
The Lady Eagles return seven position starters in 2006, highlighted by 2005 All-Conference USA senior first baseman Ashley Davis, who led the team with nine home runs and 42 RBI last year. In addition, senior shortstop Jessica Huerta, who led the team in batting average (.343), hits (60), runs (42), doubles (14), triples (three), walks (25) and stolen bases (25), senior second baseman Charity Butler, who finished second on the team with a .323 batting average and senior third baseman Ashley Brenan also return. 2005 Conference USA All-Freshmen Jennifer Fox and Allison Bullard also return, as both hit .259 in their debut seasons. Fox returns five home runs, the second most on the team, while Bullard returns eight doubles, tied for the third highest on the squad.
Southern Miss also returns two starting pitchers from last season's team, including senior Danielle Wymer, who led the team with 130 strikeouts in 2005. Crooks returns a team-best 14-12 record and 2.92 ERA.
The Lady Eagles finished 29-32 last season, winning 10 of its final 14 games to close the season.
The team begins its 2006 season on Feb. 9, in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the Hawaii Paradise Classic, facing BYU in a 10 a.m., contest.
