University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Softball Prepares for Black and Gold Invitational
2/12/2021 2:35:00 PM | Softball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – With the 2021 season just one day away, the Southern Miss softball team is making their final preparations before they open the season against North Dakota at 4:30 p.m. (CT) on Friday, February 12.
The Golden Eagles will return several familiar faces from the 2020 season and will also welcome a new crop of talent that includes transfers and freshmen who have the ability to make an immediate impact.
Golden Eagles' 2021 squad broken down by class
Seniors (6)
Heather Hill (Cabot, Ark. / Cabot HS)
Karley Nichols (Brandon, Miss. / Brandon HS)
Destini Brown (McComb, Miss. / Parklane Academy)
Alyssa Davis (Philadelphia, Miss. / Philadelphia HS)
Amber Pack (Brandon, Miss. / Brandon HS)
Jamie Powell (Petal, Miss. / Petal HS)
Juniors (7)
Breana Blankenship (New Port Richey, Fla. / River Ridge HS)
Caroline Casey (Hernando, Miss. / Hernando HS)
Kaylan Ladner (Kiln, Miss. / Hancock HS)
Makenna Pierce (Daphne, Ala. / Daphne HS)
Madison Rayner (Stringer, Miss. / Stringer Attendance Center)
Kaley Fruge (Stuttgart, Ark. / Stuttgart HS)
Terrica Williams (Loganville, GA / Archer HS)
Sophomores (5)
Caroline Worrell (Milton, Fla. / Milton HS)
Columbia Holeman (Morton, MS / Indiana University / Jackson Academy)
Maddie Vasquez (Milton, Fla. / Milton HS)
Morgan Leinstock (Scottsdale, AZ / Arizona State / Horizon HS)
Hannah Borden (Trussville, AL / Hewitt-Trussville HS)
Freshmen (8)
Rylie Atherton (Visalia, CA / Kingsburg HS / Central Valley Christian)
Reese Earlywine (Wildwood, MO / Westminster Christian Academy)
Maria Smith (Edwardsville, IL / Edwardsville HS)
Lexie Smith (Collinsville, MS / West Lauderdale HS)
Karsen Pierce (Daphne, Ala. / Daphne HS)
Keeley Wright (Shepherd, TX / Splendora HS)
Natalie Hurdle (Daphne, AL / UMS-Wright Preparatory)
Taylor Middlebrook (Douglasville, GA / Mississippi State / Alexander HS)
Seniors Heather Hill, Karley Nichols, Destini Brown and Alyssa Davis will provide a commanding veteran presence throughout the 2021 campaign.
Hill, the outstanding defender, appeared in 12 games for the Golden Eagles last season, and as a senior brings valuable experience to the apron. In her junior year she competed in 43 games making 37 starts and opening the season with a homerun against Houston Baptist.
Nichols is a seasoned competitor. Throughout her career she has appeared in 92 games and in 2020 notched five doubles and a triple. As a sophomore Nichols hit for average ending the season with an impressive .378 batting average. Nichols matches her great hitting with tremendous defense and will play competitive defense within the Southern Miss infield.
Brown, the Mississippi native looks to lock down the Golden Eagles' outfield combining great effort and incredible speed. In the 22 games played last season she earned a start in each game. Brown was also responsible for scoring 14 runs along with notching 13 hits. Since her freshman year Destini has been a cornerstone for the Golden Eagles and seeks to continue her success throughout the season.
Davis, the Philadelphia, Miss. native has had an accomplished career thus far as a Golden Eagle. In her junior season donned 22 starts compiling a .254 batting average and recording 19 RBI's. She hit above .300 for a six-game stretch and against Purdue Fort Wayne earned four RBI's. Davis has been a starter since her freshman season and plays a primary role in the Golden Eagles' batting lineup.
Juniors Makenna Pierce, Kaylan Ladner, and Madison Rayner are expected to play key roles for the Golden Eagles this season.
Pierce, earned four starts last season from 10 appearances tallying 33.1 innings and a career best 1.89 ERA. Her record on the mound was 5-1. As a freshman she made 19 appearances notching 38 strikeouts. She will play a crucial role in the Eagles' success from the circle.
Ladner, the Kiln, Miss. native looks to continue her success as a hard throwing right hander. In her freshman year she racked up a total of 47.0 inning striking out 34 and setting the standard with a 1.64 ERA.
Rayner, the long-time fan favorite will make a huge impact on the Golden Eagles' lineup this season. Before the 2020 season was cut short, Rayner donned 22 starts in 22 game and ended the season with a batting average higher than .400. She held a 10-game hitting streak and finished the season leading the nation in triples. Madison Rayner is an impact player and remains a must-see competitor.
Southern Miss, Southern Illinois and North Dakota make up the field for the 2021 Black and Gold Invitational.
Southern Illinois ended their 2020 season with a record of 15-6. The squad got hot near the end of their 2020 campaign winning nine consecutive games. SIU is under direction of coach Kerri Blaylock.
North Dakota, a member of the Big Sky Conference, posted a record of 7-17 to conclude the 2021 season. Head coach Jordan Stevens looks to kick off the Fighting Hawks' season in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Black and Gold Invitational Schedule
Tickets for the 2021 Black and Gold Invitational are no longer for purchase. The Southern Miss Softball Complex has reached its 25 percent capacity for the season.
The Golden Eagles will return several familiar faces from the 2020 season and will also welcome a new crop of talent that includes transfers and freshmen who have the ability to make an immediate impact.
Golden Eagles' 2021 squad broken down by class
Seniors (6)
Heather Hill (Cabot, Ark. / Cabot HS)
Karley Nichols (Brandon, Miss. / Brandon HS)
Destini Brown (McComb, Miss. / Parklane Academy)
Alyssa Davis (Philadelphia, Miss. / Philadelphia HS)
Amber Pack (Brandon, Miss. / Brandon HS)
Jamie Powell (Petal, Miss. / Petal HS)
Juniors (7)
Breana Blankenship (New Port Richey, Fla. / River Ridge HS)
Caroline Casey (Hernando, Miss. / Hernando HS)
Kaylan Ladner (Kiln, Miss. / Hancock HS)
Makenna Pierce (Daphne, Ala. / Daphne HS)
Madison Rayner (Stringer, Miss. / Stringer Attendance Center)
Kaley Fruge (Stuttgart, Ark. / Stuttgart HS)
Terrica Williams (Loganville, GA / Archer HS)
Sophomores (5)
Caroline Worrell (Milton, Fla. / Milton HS)
Columbia Holeman (Morton, MS / Indiana University / Jackson Academy)
Maddie Vasquez (Milton, Fla. / Milton HS)
Morgan Leinstock (Scottsdale, AZ / Arizona State / Horizon HS)
Hannah Borden (Trussville, AL / Hewitt-Trussville HS)
Freshmen (8)
Rylie Atherton (Visalia, CA / Kingsburg HS / Central Valley Christian)
Reese Earlywine (Wildwood, MO / Westminster Christian Academy)
Maria Smith (Edwardsville, IL / Edwardsville HS)
Lexie Smith (Collinsville, MS / West Lauderdale HS)
Karsen Pierce (Daphne, Ala. / Daphne HS)
Keeley Wright (Shepherd, TX / Splendora HS)
Natalie Hurdle (Daphne, AL / UMS-Wright Preparatory)
Taylor Middlebrook (Douglasville, GA / Mississippi State / Alexander HS)
Seniors Heather Hill, Karley Nichols, Destini Brown and Alyssa Davis will provide a commanding veteran presence throughout the 2021 campaign.
Hill, the outstanding defender, appeared in 12 games for the Golden Eagles last season, and as a senior brings valuable experience to the apron. In her junior year she competed in 43 games making 37 starts and opening the season with a homerun against Houston Baptist.
Nichols is a seasoned competitor. Throughout her career she has appeared in 92 games and in 2020 notched five doubles and a triple. As a sophomore Nichols hit for average ending the season with an impressive .378 batting average. Nichols matches her great hitting with tremendous defense and will play competitive defense within the Southern Miss infield.
Brown, the Mississippi native looks to lock down the Golden Eagles' outfield combining great effort and incredible speed. In the 22 games played last season she earned a start in each game. Brown was also responsible for scoring 14 runs along with notching 13 hits. Since her freshman year Destini has been a cornerstone for the Golden Eagles and seeks to continue her success throughout the season.
Davis, the Philadelphia, Miss. native has had an accomplished career thus far as a Golden Eagle. In her junior season donned 22 starts compiling a .254 batting average and recording 19 RBI's. She hit above .300 for a six-game stretch and against Purdue Fort Wayne earned four RBI's. Davis has been a starter since her freshman season and plays a primary role in the Golden Eagles' batting lineup.
Juniors Makenna Pierce, Kaylan Ladner, and Madison Rayner are expected to play key roles for the Golden Eagles this season.
Pierce, earned four starts last season from 10 appearances tallying 33.1 innings and a career best 1.89 ERA. Her record on the mound was 5-1. As a freshman she made 19 appearances notching 38 strikeouts. She will play a crucial role in the Eagles' success from the circle.
Ladner, the Kiln, Miss. native looks to continue her success as a hard throwing right hander. In her freshman year she racked up a total of 47.0 inning striking out 34 and setting the standard with a 1.64 ERA.
Rayner, the long-time fan favorite will make a huge impact on the Golden Eagles' lineup this season. Before the 2020 season was cut short, Rayner donned 22 starts in 22 game and ended the season with a batting average higher than .400. She held a 10-game hitting streak and finished the season leading the nation in triples. Madison Rayner is an impact player and remains a must-see competitor.
Southern Miss, Southern Illinois and North Dakota make up the field for the 2021 Black and Gold Invitational.
Southern Illinois ended their 2020 season with a record of 15-6. The squad got hot near the end of their 2020 campaign winning nine consecutive games. SIU is under direction of coach Kerri Blaylock.
North Dakota, a member of the Big Sky Conference, posted a record of 7-17 to conclude the 2021 season. Head coach Jordan Stevens looks to kick off the Fighting Hawks' season in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Black and Gold Invitational Schedule
- Southern Miss vs North Dakota 2/13 at 12:00 p.m.
- Murray State vs SIU 2/13 at 2:30 p.m.
- Southern Miss vs Murray State 2/13 at 5:00 p.m.
- SIU vs North Dakota 2/13 at 7:30 p.m.
- North Dakota vs Murray State 2/14 at 9:00 a.m.
- SIU vs Murray State 2/14 at 11:30 a.m.
- Southern Miss vs SIU 2/14 at 2:00 p.m.
- Southern Miss vs North Dakota 2/14 at 4:30 p.m.
Tickets for the 2021 Black and Gold Invitational are no longer for purchase. The Southern Miss Softball Complex has reached its 25 percent capacity for the season.
Players Mentioned
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P
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OF
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P
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C
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UT/C
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INF
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