University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
Seton Hall
Head Softball Coach Natalie Poole Opens the 2023 Season with Annual Black & Gold Invitational
2/9/2023 6:45:00 PM | Softball
HATTIESBURG, Miss.-- A four-game tournament at the Southern Miss Softball Complex marks the start of the 2023 season for the Southern Miss softball team. For the annual Black & Gold Invitational, which runs from February 10–12, the Golden Eagles welcome the Samford Bulldogs and the Seton Hall Pirates.
The Black & Gold open their tournament with a game Friday, Feb. 10, against Seton Hall (3:30), followed by another Seton Hall match-up Saturday, Feb.11 (12:30) before taking on Samford (3:00). Wrapping up the weekend is a final contest against Samford on Feb.12 (1:00).
For the fifth straight year, Southern Miss kicks off their campaign at the annual Black & Gold Invitational, holding an 11-5 record throughout the previous four events dating back to 2019.
The Golden Eagles will encounter a familiar foe and battle Seton Hall for the first time in program history. Samford holds an all-time record of 10-9 against the Golden Eagles, with their last trip to Hattiesburg for the Black & Gold Invitational ending in two wins.
Four freshmen and 13 returning players make up the 17 student-athlete roster for the Golden Eagles, led by first-year head coach Natalie Poole.
Southern Miss opens the 2023 season as they face off with Seton Hall and Samford from Feb.10-12 at the Southern Miss Softball Complex on Friday, Feb.10 at 3:30 p.m. Live stats will be available for all match-ups, and streaming will be available for Friday's game at 3:30 and for Sunday's game at 1 p.m.
Scouting the opponents
Samford
- The Bulldogs enter the 2023 season following a 34-19 campaign in 2022, led by head coach Kimball Cassady for her second season.
- Seven freshmen have been added to their roster.
- Samford finished 15-3 in conference play and was picked to finish first in the Southern Conference preseason poll.
- Four bulldogs earned preseason honors:
Preseason Pitcher of the Year- Mckenzie Newcomb
Preseason First-Team All-SoCon- Mckenzie Newcomb (P)
Preseason Second-Team All-SoCon- Jordyn Partain (P) and Gwynnie Hornibrook
Seton Hall
- Second-season head coach Angie Churchill leads the Pirates.
- Seton Hall finished the 2022 season with a 20-23 overall record and 9-14 in conference play.
- Picked to finish seventh in the Big East Conference
- The Pirates added seven freshmen to their 2023 roster.
For the latest information on Golden Eagle Softball, follow the program on Facebook (facebook.com/SouthernMissSB), Twitter (@SouthernMissSB), and Instagram (@southernmisssb).
