Southern Miss Softball Makes Final Preparations for Black and Gold Invitational

Friday, February 8

Hattiesburg, Miss.

1:00 PM

Southern Miss

Houston Baptist

Southern Miss Softball Makes Final Preparations for Black and Gold Invitational

2/7/2019 5:06:00 PM | Softball

2019 Southern Miss Softball Schedule

The Golden Eagles will open the season on Friday, February 8.

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – With the 2019 season just one day away, the Southern Miss softball team is making their final preseason preparations before they open the season against Houston Baptist at 1:00 p.m. (CT) on Friday, February 8.

The Golden Eagles will return several familiar faces from the 2018 season and will also welcome a new crop of talent that includes experienced transfers and freshmen who have the ability to make an immediate impact.

Breaking down the Golden Eagles' 2019 squad by class

Seniors (3)
Chase Nelson (Paragould, Ark. / University of Missouri / Paragould HS)
Samantha Papp (Hattiesburg, Miss. / Oak Grove HS)
Sarah Van Schaik (Petal, Miss. / Ole Miss / Petal HS)

Juniors (4)
Bailie Springfield (Mantee, Miss. / Itawamba CC / East Webster HS)
Lacey Sumerlin (Mobile, Ala. / University of Georgia / Baker HS)
Beth Taylor – Redshirt (Silverhill, Ala. / Robertsdale HS)
Abby Trahan (Kaplan, La. / Saint Francis University / Kaplan HS)

Sophomores (7)
Destini Brown (McComb, Miss. / Parklane Academy)
Alyssa "Tata" Davis (Philadelphia, Miss. / Philadelphia HS)
Kaley Fruge (Stuttgart, Ark. / Stuttgart HS)
Heather Hill – Redshirt (Cabot, Ark. / Cabot HS)
Karley Nichols (Brandon, Miss. / Brandon HS)
Amber Pack – Redshirt (Brandon, Miss. / Brandon HS)
Jamie Powell (Petal, Miss. / Petal HS)

Freshmen (7)
Breana Blankenship (New Port Richey, Fla. / River Ridge HS)
Caroline Casey (Hernando, Miss. / Hernando HS)
Kaylan Ladner (Kiln, Miss. / Hancock HS)
Kaitlyn Passeau (Lucedale, Miss. / George County HS)
Makenna Pierce (Daphne, Ala. / Daphne HS)
Madison Rayner (Stringer, Miss. / Stringer Attendance Center)
Terrica Williams (Loganville, Ga. / Archer HS)

Catcher Samantha Papp along with infielders Chase Nelson and Sarah Van Schaik round out the Golden Eagles' 2019 senior class and return ready to lead the team.

Papp, the Hattiesburg, Miss. native and long-time fan favorite will provide a veteran presence behind the plate for a Southern Miss pitching staff that features four newcomers.

Papp started all 55 of the Golden Eagles' contests last season, primarily at the catcher position. Her bat will also provide an anchor in the Golden Eagles' lineup, having led the team in hits, RBI, total plate appearances, at-bats, total bases and sacrifice flies for the 2018 season. On January 18, Papp was named to C-USA's 2019 Preseason Softball All-Conference Team. In 2018, she earned Second Team C-USA All-Conference honors.

Nelson who made 51 appearances a season ago, earning 50 starts brings valuable experience to the Golden Eagles' middle infield. The Paragould, Ark. native finished the 2018 season as the team leader in triples and double plays turned.

Van Schaik, who transferred to Southern Miss for the 2018 season after spending the first two years of her collegiate career playing for the Ole Miss Rebels brings versatility to the Golden Eagles' lineup with her ability to play multiple positions. The Petal, Miss. native appeared in 52 games for Southern Miss in 2018 and made 48 starts. Van Schaik split time between first base, designated hitter, catcher and second base in and ended the season tied for the most doubles and sacrifice flies on the team.

Junior newcomers Lacey Sumerlin and Abby Trahan are expected to play key roles for the Golden Eagles this season

Sumerlin, a Mobile, Ala. native comes to Southern Miss by way of the University of Georgia where she was a standout for the Bulldogs during her two years in Athens. As a sophomore in 2017, Sumerlin started all 58 games, splitting time between first base and shortstop. She garnered SEC Player of the Week honors after batting .800 and drawing six walks in a series win over No. 17 Kentucky.

Sumerlin contributed as a freshman as well, playing in 63 games and starting all but one at shortstop. She also picked up SEC All-Freshman honors due to her outstanding performance on the field.

Trahan comes to Hattiesburg as a highly decorated Division I player. Before landing at Southern Miss, Trahan was a commanding presence in the circle for the Saint Francis University Red Flash.

During her sophomore season in 2018, Trahan collected numerous accolades including: NEC Pitcher of the Year, NFCA All-Great Lakes Region Second Team and First Team All-NEC. The Kaplan, La. native went 28-12 in the circle with a 2.55 ERA and set single-season school records for wins, appearances, and innings. Trahan also led the NEC in wins and appearance in 2018.

As a freshman in 2017, Trahan was named NEC Rookie of the Year and was selected to the NFCA All-Region Third Team.

Trahan picked up another major accomplishment earlier today as she was named to Softball America's Top 100 list that was announced by the organization at noon (CT).

Sophomores Alyssa "Tata" Davis, Destini Brown and Kaley Fruge who all saw playing time last season as true freshmen, now return as seasoned sophomores.

Davis served as the Golden Eagles' primary third baseman last season, starting 54 of Southern Miss' 55 games. The Philadelphia, Miss. native wrapped up the 2018 season tied with teammate Sarah Van Schaik as the team leader in doubles and she led the team in sacrifice bunts.

Brown who was a constant starter in the Golden Eagles' outfield in 2018 is expected to do the same again this year after turning in a fantastic freshman season. The McComb, Miss. native and former Parklane Academy standout earned a spot on the C-USA All-Freshman team a year ago after starting all 55 games and leading the team in home runs, runs scored and stolen bases.

Like Brown, Fruge also saw time in the outfield as a true freshman a season ago. Fruge appeared in 37 games, earning 19 starts. She finished the season ranked in the top five on the team in batting average, on-base percentage, stolen bases, stolen base attempts and stolen base percentage.

Madison Rayner, a native of Stringer, Miss. who is one of the many talented true freshmen on the team is another underclassman that is expected to make significant contributions for the Golden Eagles in 2019.

Rayner prepped at Stringer Attendance Center where she was a multi-sport athlete for the Red Devils. She was also a member of the talented Mississippi Elite Gold club softball squad.

Southern Miss, Houston Baptist, Central Arkansas, Tennessee Tech and Jackson State make up the field for the 2019 Black and Gold Invitational.

Houston Baptist, a member of the Southland Conference, finished the 2018 season with an overall record of 9-34 and a record of 6-21 in conference play. The Huskies are led by head coach Mary-Ellen Hall.

Central Arkansas also a member of the Southland Conference, posted an overall record of 29-27 and a record of 16-11 in conference play in 2018. The Bears are led by head coach David Kuhn who has been at the helm for the past 10 seasons.

Tennessee Tech, a member of the Ohio Valley Conference ended the 2018 season with an overall record of 16-33 and a conference record of 7-15. The Golden Eagles are under the direction of seventh year head coach Bonnie Graham.

Jackson State, a member of the SWAC, rounds out the field for the Black and Gold Invitational. The Tigers concluded the 2018 season with an overall record of 9-31 and record of 3-17 in conference play. They are led by head coach Kevin Montgomery.

Tickets for the 2019 Black and Gold Invitational can be purchased online by clicking the links below or in person on the day of the game at the main gate at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.

2019 Black and Gold Ticket Info

Day 1 (Friday, Feb. 8): https://bit.ly/2SC5xQO

Day 2 (Saturday, Feb. 9): https://bit.ly/2MWmYGe

Day 3 (Sunday, Feb. 10): https://bit.ly/2TCw1Pr