TranSouth News
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JACKSON, Tenn. - Top-seeded Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) University played its way out of the losers bracket, winning five straight games to claim the 2013 TranSouth/Gulf Coast Unaffiliated Group Tournament championship and earn an automatic bid to the NAIA National Softball Championships Opening Round.
FHU defeated Bethel (Tenn.) University, 8-4 and 2-1, to claim the championship. The finish of the tournament was delayed until Saturday due to heavy rain on Friday, suspending the first game in the second inning with Freed-Hardeman leading 6-0.
This is the second year for the West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex to host the TranSouth Conference postseason tournament. This year's tournament will take place in Complex D, which has four fields. Wednesday and Thursday's games will see two fields in use before going down to one field on Friday.
Directions to Sportplex | Jackson Weather | City of Jackson
Bracket (edited for 7 teams) | Live Stats | Live Audio (MCU | FHU)
TranSouth History | Past TranSouth Tournaments 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 - 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000 - 1999 - 1998 - 1997
2013 TRANSOUTH CONFERENCE AWARDS
Pitcher of the Year: Sarah Elizabeth Cousar, Freed-Hardeman (photo)
Newcomer of the Year: Colby Smith, Mid-Continent (photo)
Freshman of the Year: Summer Winters, Bethel (photo)
Coach of the Year: Todd Humphry, Freed-Hardeman (photo)
Regular Season Champion: Freed-Hardeman University (photo)
TranSouth All-Conference Team (photo)
Sarah Elizabeth Cousar, Freed-Hardeman
Veronika Fukunishi, Martin Methodist
Brooklyn Jenkins, Bethel
Alley Benefield, Martin Methodist
Mercedes Norfork, Freed-Hardeman
Shelby Cummings, Freed-Hardeman
Chae Ellis, Martin Methodist
Summer Winters, Bethel
Brooke Denton, Blue Mountain
Kimmy Nicholson, Blue Mountain
Whitney Hardwick, Blue Mountain
Katlin White, Martin Methodist
Rachel Brueggerman, Mid-Continent
Colby Smith, Mid-Continent
Shelby Evans, Bethel
Halley Beckham, Blue Mountain
Courtney Grooms, Martin Methodist
Amber Vansandt, Freed-Hardeman
Gulf Coast All-Conference Team (photo)
Briatah Dorsey, Edward Waters
Shanise Dozier, Edward Waters
Aubrey Boren, Edward Waters
Heather Porter, Edward Waters
Lindsey Sims, Talladega
Tami Johnson, Talladega
Jan Thomas, Talladega
Jamara Thomas, Talladega
Charlie Keenum, Talladega
Mirrissa Brimm, Fisk
Amber Victory, Fisk
Scholar Athlete Teams
TBA
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
GAME 1 - 5:00 p.m. (Field 17) - #4 Bethel def. #5 Mid-Continent, 5-1 (Game Book)
AWARDS CEREMONY HELD 15 MIN. FOLLOWING CONCLUSION OF BOTH 5:00 P.M. GAMES
GAME 2 - 7:30 p.m. (Field 17) - #3 Blue Mountain def. #6 Talladega, 9-2 (Game Book)
GAME 3 - 7:30 p.m. (Field 15) - #2 Martin Methodist def. #7 Edward Waters, 6-3 (Game Book)
GAME 6 - 2:00 p.m. (Field 17) - #6 Talladega def. #7 Edward Waters, 11-3 (Game Book)
Edward Waters eliminated
GAME 4 - 4:00 p.m. (Field 17) - #4 Bethel def. #1 Freed-Hardeman, 4-0 (Game Book)
GAME 5 - 4:00 p.m. (Field 15) - #3 Blue Mountain def. #2 Martin Methodist, 2-1 (Game Book)
GAME 7 - 6:00 p.m. (Field 15) - #2 Martin Methodist def. #5 Mid-Continent, 6-3 (Game Book)
Mid-Continent eliminated
Talladega eliminated
GAME 9 - 8:00 p.m. (Field 17) - #4 Bethel def. #3 Blue Mountain, 8-4 (Game Book)
Martin Methodist eliminated
Friday, May 3
GAME 11 - 12:00 p.m. (Field 17) - #1 Freed-Hardeman def. #3 Blue Mountain, 6-0 (Game Book)
Blue Mountain eliminated
GAME 13 (if necessary) - #1 Freed-Hardeman def. #4 Bethel, 2-1 (Game Book)
Freed-Hardeman wins TSAC/GCAC Unaffiliated Group
1. Freed-Hardeman (26-6, 14-0 TSAC)
2. Martin Methodist (26-20, 9-5 TSAC)
3. Blue Mountain (23-18-1, 8-8 TSAC)
4. Bethel (13-23, 4-12 TSAC)
5. Mid-Continent (13-27, 3-13 TSAC)
6. Talladega (21-33, 8-0 GCAC)
7. Edward Waters (7-13-3, 2-5 GCAC)
8. Fisk (13-11, 1-6 GCAC) - dropped out of tournament
CONTACT INFO
Media Contact: John Armstrong - email: jarmstrong@fhu.edu - (cell) 731-267-9044
West Tennessee Sportsplex: Ricky Yates, Operations Dir./Softball - 800-941-2415
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PULASKI, Tenn. – For the second time in as many weeks, Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) University and Martin Methodist (Tenn.) College have split the TranSouth weekly softball honors, with FHU pitcher Sarah Elizabeth Cousar taking the Pitcher of the Week Award and MMC third baseman Alley Benefield taking the league's Player of the Week honor for the week ending Feb. 24, 2013.
Cousar, a 5-foot-8 junior from Covington, Tenn., posted a perfect 2-0 record as part of a 4-0 week for the Lady Lions. Cousar was strong in both outings and was literally unhittable in the first, as she struck out 10 batters and allowed no hits and just one walk in a 8-0 five-inning win over Lyon (Ark.) College. The junior followed up her no-no with an equally impressive performance in the Lady Lions 5-1 win over No. 19 Mobile (Ala.). Cousar allowed just one hit and one run in the victory over the nationally-ranked Rams. The award is the second of the season and sixth of Cousar's career.
Benefield, a 5-foot-6 sophomore from Summertown, Tenn., finished a near-perfect 6-of-8 at the plate in a 1-1 week for the RedHawks. Benefield got off to a strong start, driving in a pair of runs – one of which was a solo home run – in the RedHawks 10-5 win over Tennessee Wesleyan at the Alabama Artic Blast in Decatur, Ala. The sophomore followed her Friday performance up with a perfect 4-for-4 afternoon Saturday against No. 7 William Carey (Miss.) University. On the week, Benefield drove in three runs and accounted for two of the club's five extra-base hits. The award is the first of Benefield's career.
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PULASKI, Tenn. – The TranSouth Athletic Conference has announced its first weekly awards for the 2013 softball season, with Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) University and Martin Methodist (Tenn.) College sharing the awards. Freed-Hardeman pitcher Sarah Elizabeth Cousar has been named the Pitcher of the Week while Martin Methodist outfielder Chae Ellis has been named Player of the Week for the week ending February 17, 2013.
Cousar, a 5-foot-8 junior from Covington, Tenn., led the Lady Lions to a perfect 3-0 start to the 2013 season, picking up a pair of wins and a save in her three appearances. Cousar was dominant in both of her starts, allowing just one run over seven innings in each contest. Cousar was especially dominant in FHU's season-opening 3-1 win over Campbellsville (Ky.), recording 10 strikeouts. Cousar finished the weekend with 18 punchouts, and did not allow a walk in her final 7.1 innings pitched, including a 6-1 victory over No. 13 Reinhardt (Ga.) University. Cousar also recorded her third career save in an 8-6 win over Cumberland (Tenn.) University. The award is the fifth of Cousar's career.
Ellis, a 5-foot-6 senior from Fayetteville, Tenn., powered the RedHawks to a 4-2 record on the week, cranking out nine hits in 20 plate appearances. Ellis was especially effective with runners on base, driving in a team-high nine RBIs – posting three-RBI nights in wins over Bryan (Tenn.) College and Georgetown (Ky.) College. Ellis also scored three runs of her own, including the game-winning run in MMC's 6-5 win over Georgetown Sunday afternoon. The award is the third of Ellis' career.
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PULASKI, Tenn. – With all five TranSouth softball teams officially opening their seasons this weekend, the league's respective coaches have chosen Martin Methodist (Tenn.) College and Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) University as co-favorites to win the 2013 TranSouth title. As part of this season's NAIA postseason qualification plan, the five TSAC schools have been placed in an Unaffiliated Group with the three teams from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, and all five TranSouth schools occupy the top five positions in the Unaffiliated Grouping's preseason poll.
2013 TranSouth Softball Preseason Poll | NAIA Preseason Poll
1. (RV) Martin Methodist (Tenn.) (2012: 39-22)
1. Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) (2012: 29-21)
3. Blue Mountain (Miss.) (2012: 20-30)
4. Bethel (Tenn.) (2012: 19-29)
5. Mid-Continent (Ky.) (2012: 20-27)
Listed below are the season preview articles for each school, listed in the order they were voted in the preseason ranking.
MARTIN METHODIST REDHAWKS
For the first time in program history, Martin Methodist will have a permanent softball home when it opens up the 2013 campaign with a pair of games against Birmingham Southern at the East Campus Softball Complex on Feb. 9.
In addition to playing on a new field this spring, the RedHawks will also field a squad that begins the season where it left off in 2012 – receiving votes in the NAIA national poll. Despite several talented players returning, however, the RedHawks will be extremely youthful this spring, fielding just three everday returning starters.
On the mound, the RedHawks figure to feature a less traditional approach this season and will likely feature a stable of four pitchers that will instead fill starting, middle relief and closing roles.
Returning to the mound as the team's ace is three-time First Team All-TranSouth performer Katlin White, who enters 2013 with a 43-19 career record and 2.12 career ERA. The senior has also amassed 468 career strikeouts entering this spring. White will also give the RedHawks depth in the outfield this season, likely seeing time at left field. Providing relief for White this season will be junior Caroline Ezell and freshmen Emily Robb and Dharianna Familia.
Reigning TranSouth Newcomer of the Year Veronika Fukunishi returns for her senior season behind the plate after an impressive junior campaign that saw her post a .384 batting average while driving in a team-high 49 RBIs. The Maringa, Brazil native also belted out a team-high six home runs a year ago. Spelling Fukunishi behind the plate this season will be freshman Kaelin Dawson, a product of nearby Giles County High School.
Along the infield, the RedHawks figure to field several new faces this season with four underclassmen all vying for time. On the left side of the infield, former Summertown High School teammates Alley Benefield and Courtney Grooms will look to anchor the team's third base and shortstop positions. Fellow underclassmen Megan Anderson and Dana Wynfrey will likely start at second and first base this spring while Jasmine Crenshaw and Kate Vanlandingham will also vie for time along the infield.
Senior captain Chae Ellis will return at center field this year for the RedHawks after appearing in 59-of-61 games a year ago. In addition to White's appearances in left, the RedHawks will see a pair of freshman in Morgan May and Ciera LaGrange battling for time in right field this spring.
"We have quite a few new faces this spring," RedHawks head coach Brandie Paul said. "But they are going to have to hit the ground running. Our seniors should give us great leadership and help bring the young ones along. We anticipate some mistakes early, but this squad is talented enough that we have a bright outlook for this season."
FREED-HARDEMAN LADY LIONS
With a young team, one sign of future potential is how much the team improves over the course of a season. If that is true, then the outlook for the Freed-Hardeman Lady Lion softball team heading into the 2013 season is cause for optimism.
The junior- and sophomore-heavy Lady Lions closed out the year winning 17 of their last 22 games and advanced to the TranSouth Conference Tournament championship game before being edged out by nationally-ranked Union (Tenn.) University, 4-3.
This year as eight starters return coupled with what looks to be a talented recruiting class, the Lady Lions could have a chance to challenge the program wins record of 36. The returnees include top pitcher Sarah Elizabeth Cousar (22-7, 1.70 ERA, 197 K) as well as the heart of the lineup with Cousar (.335 BA, 5 HR, 23 RBI), Shelby Cummings (.331 BA, .405 OBP, 44 R), Mercedes Norfork (.323 BA, 30 RBI), Amber Vansandt (.329 BA, .407 OBP, 14 2B, 31 RBI) and Kamara Trice (.333 BA, .421 OBP, 5 HR, 28 RBI).
"I look to continue playing strong in the TranSouth. With the senior leadership and a strong recruiting class I see no reason why we can't win conference," said FHU head coach Todd Humphry, who is entering his 13th year. "I feel the best I've felt preseason about our team than any previous years at FHU."
The recruiting class is one of Humphry's largest in his 13 years at FHU with eight new players joining the team. Transfers Lauren Bradley (Austin Peay State University) and Kohnley Wade (Union University) bring college experience while freshmen Allie Carpenter, Jessica Weeks, Lauren Benson, Rachael Dodd, Katie Sholl and Allie Moss come from winning high school programs.
"Two areas will greatly improve this year with the recruiting class assembled - speed and depth," Humphry said. "This should be the fastest team we have ever had with much-needed depth to compete in the TranSouth."
Humphry believes that his team can continue to improve offensively in the 2013 season – an impressive thought considering last year's squad scored more runs (233) and averaged more runs per game (4.7) than any team in his 13-year tenure at FHU.
BLUE MOUNTAIN TOPPERS
Kevin Barefield figures once his Blue Mountain College softball team gets runners on base it should be able to score some runs.
Heading into the 2013 season, getting them on base more frequently is the issue.
"We've probably got one of the fastest teams around," Barefield, now in his third year as BMC coach, said. "But all that speed doesn't do much good if we can't get on base.
"We've got to improve our on-base percentage and our team batting average. If we can get that done, we'll be a lot better than we were a year ago."
The Toppers were 20-30 overall in 2012, including a 13-18 record in the TranSouth Athletic Conference. Despite a .240 team batting average and a .287 on-base percentage, BMC made a strong run at the end of the season and won two games in the league tournament.
Barefield is upbeat about the coming year, primarily because of its speed.
"Our four main outfielders are as fast as you're going to find on any level," he said. "Kimmy Nicholson, Chassey Barnes, Sam Sagely and Hilary Parrish can go get it with anybody."
Those four were successful 40 of 48 stolen base attempts last year, led by Nicholson's 26 of 28 conference-leading pilfering.
"This gives us a lot of options on offense," Barefield said. "It really broadens your offensive planning when you have this much speed."
The Toppers will be led by Brooke Jones, an all-conference shortstop from Wheeler who hit .267 and drove in 23 runs as a freshman.
And while BMC has its three leading pitchers – Brooke Denton, Meggin Nelson, Halley Beckham – back from last year, Whitney Hardwick, a steady hitting middle infielder, will also add depth to the mound. Beckham posted an 11-14 record a year ago, while Denton went 7-11 and Nelson 1-5.
Barefield noted that BMC's team is comprised of mostly sophomores and juniors. Only two seniors, Nicholson and Emily Graham, are on this year's squad.
"I think our program has turned the corner," he said, "going from a first-year team, to just a young team, to where we've got a good blend of youth and experience now.
"We just need to start playing some ballgames and figure out how to make all this come together."
BETHEL LADY WILDCATS
The Lady Wildcats are working hard to rebound from a disappointing 19 – 29 for Coach Larry Geraldi who is starting his 6th season at Bethel. Bethel will depend on some young guns this season with only one senior (Emily Roper) and six juniors, which includes transfers Blakely Robertson (Columbia State CC), Paige Copeland (Southwest CC) and Heather Capps (Bethel basketball). The other juniors are TSAC leading home run hitter Brooklyn Jenkins, catcher Alex Weatherly, and outfielder Molly Frey. This year's squad will have the addition of assistant coach Lindsey (Davis) Pinkleton who was a four - year starter for Coach Geraldi and was a student assistant last season. Student assistants Adam Cooper and Amanda Renfroe will make up the rest of the coaching staff. Managers are Karalee Bowker and Haley Collins.
The remaining members of the team consist of 11 sophomores and nine freshmen. The sophomores are: Racheal Carroll, Lindsey Costelo, Julia Cruce, Ashley Denfip, Carrie Dunavant, Shelby Evans, Taylor Johnson, Kathryn Kreuziger, Shawna McAdams, Ericca McCormic and Caitlin Runions. The new freshman class members are: Jessie Avery (Trenton Peabody), Paige Barnes (Munford), Meagan Breeden (Waverly Central), Elizabeth Brooks (Waverly Central), Kali Gunson (Houston Co.), Hannah Potts (McKenzie H.S), Nikki Robertson (Collinwood), Haley Sullivan (Huntingdon), and Summer Winters (Creekwood).
Coach Larry Geraldi's comments on this year's squad – "This will be a very challenging and interesting season for the Lady Wildcats. We have a very talented group but lack experience especially on the mound. All of our pitchers will be sophomores or freshman this season. The sophomores had to pitch quite a few innings last year due to injuries to our more experience pitchers. Hopefully, this will make them feel more comfortable on the mound this season. We also had difficulty last season getting the big hit with runners on base even though we had the top home run hitters in the conference. We plan on being more consistent at the plate throughout the entire lineup. Each player will need to step up for us to be successful this season especially with the loss of some top quality student/athletes such as Amanda Renfroe, Morgan Berry, Brooke Cary, Colby Prosser, Sydney McMillin, and Ashton Carnahan. "
This year's schedule is just as strong as in the past with the tough teams in the TranSouth conference along with playing OVC division I member, Murray State University. The Lady Cats will also travel to the Gulf Shores Invitational in March to face a very strong field in this prestigious event.
MID-CONTINENT COUGARS
As Coach Christa Franklin begins her fourth season as the leader of the Mid-Continent University softball program, she knows that there will be some unique challenges this season. The team is coming off a 20-27 season in 2012 – the best season record wise in her young tenure as the Cougars' coach – and she knows that to get the program to the next level will take a coordinated effort from players and coaches alike.
"We definitely have some adversity to work through after some key losses from last season's club," noted Franklin, "But we also have a lot of talent coming into the program. The challenge for us as coaches is to get that talent into the right places for us as a team to have the success we want to see this season."
The 2013 season marks the beginning of the tenure of Lacee Underwood as an assistant coach with the team, having finished her playing career in 2012 as a key piece in the Cougars' outfield. "Lacee brings an element of familiarity with the players, and her knowledge of the game in the outfield is a very valuable asset," Franklin said.
One area of relative strength this season is in the circle. Lindsey Rucker returns for her sophomore campaign after posting a 9-11 record as a freshman in 2012. She led the 2012 team in Earned Run Average (4.27), Complete Games (15), Saves (2), Innings Pitched (146), and strikeouts (83), and Coach Franklin knows the team will be leaning heavily on her this season. "Rucker has developed great confidence, thanks in large part to her success as a true freshman a year ago."
Entering the mix as a starting pitcher is Junior transfer Colby Smith. Smith comes to Mid-Continent from Jackson State Community College (Tenn.) and brings a unique dynamic to the circle, having spent a season as a student assistant coach at Dyersburg State Community College (Tenn.) as well. "Colby is a great addition to our staff this season," Franklin said, "she is tremendous defensively, and we look forward to watching her battle with [Lindsey] Rucker for the spot at the top of our pitching staff."
The Cougars have a trio of options behind the plate, but junior Bry Navarro brings both offensive and defensive stability to the position. Navarro hit .317 as a sophomore, knocking in 27 runs and scoring 22 more, while catching 13 runners stealing and committing only 6 errors in 228 defensive chances (.974 FLD%). In addition to Navarro, the Cougars bring back Tristana Williams from the 2010 team for her senior season, and they add Graves County HS Product Courtney Woods as a sophomore transfer. Williams hit .216 in limited action as a junior in 2010, while Woods appeared in 26 games for Union College (Ky.) as a freshman, hitting .297.
"Bry is a great option behind the plate," coach Franklin explained, "but we now have some depth at that position to help keep her rested for the second half of the season. Tristana is a vocal leader who has worked hard to get back after a couple years off, and Courtney Woods is a player with a great knowledge of the game, as well as a strong bat."
The Mid-Continent infield is still somewhat up in the air, but the Cougars have good options at each position both offensively and defensively. Junior transfer Kelsey Tramel brings a power bat from the right side of the plate, having hit .284 with five homers and 25 knocked in for the Lady Pioneers of Volunteer State Community College in 2012, and she figures to be in the mix at both corner infield positions. Returning senior Randi Eveans is coming back off some nagging injuries from last season, and should be healthy, bringing in a left-handed option at first base, and senior Alyssa Ybarra could also see time at first after filling in well for an injured Eveans in 2012.
Over at third base, the Cougars have numerous options, including the afore mentioned Woods and Tramel, as well as seniors Rachel Brueggeman and Marissa Nickerson. Brueggeman split time in the lineup last year, appearing as both a third baseman and a designated player, hitting .264 with a couple of homers and 22 RBIs, and Nickerson returns after having last played for Mid-Continent in 2010, posting a .311 batting average as a freshman.
Up the middle, the two positions figure to be filled by Ybarra, Woods, or senior Jessica Temple. Ybarra and Woods each are coming off season in which they swung the bat well, as Ybarra overcame a slow start to 2012 to hit .256 with a homer and 23 knocked in, while Temple is motivated to bounce back from a junior season that saw her struggle at the plate. "All three are capable defensively," coach Franklin stated, "who plays is going to come down to who swings the bat well."
The options for Mid-Continent in the outfield are slightly more restricted, though the Cougars do return Anna Maziarka who had a great sophomore campaign in the lead-off spot for Mid-Continent. She hit .316 with a homer and 20 Runs Batted In, and her insertion into the leadoff spot helped Mid-Continent turn their season around. Nickerson has impressed in the fall and early spring workouts, and she figures to see time in the outfield as well, and Navarro could be in a similar situation. Left field figures to be the battle, with sophomore Christina Day and freshman Christina Winsett battling for the starting job.
"We feel like the Conference is wide open this season," Franklin said when asked about her expectations for the 2013 campaign. "The TranSouth is always a tough league, but we played right with every team remaining in our conference, so we definitely feel like we can compete and possibly contend for a conference championship. I know the players are working hard, and hopefully that will translate into on-field success in our final season in the TranSouth."
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Directions to Sportplex | Jackson Weather | City of Jackson
Bracket | Live Stats | Live Audio (Friday games only)
National Tournament Information | Rankings
2012 POST SEASON AWARDS
PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Brooke Thomas, Union (photo)
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Veronika Fukunishi, Martin Methodist (photo)
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Kelly Robey, Union (photo)
COACH OF THE YEAR: Heather Hall, Union (photo)
Regular Season Champion: Union University (photo)
All-Conference Teams (1st team photo) (2nd team photo)
Scholar Athlete Teams
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
GAME 1 - 5:00 p.m. - #6 Mid-Continent def. #3 Martin Methodist (box)
GAME 2 - 5:00 p.m. - #2 Freed-Hardeman def. #7 Bethel (box)
AWARDS CEREMONY HELD 15 MIN. FOLLOWING CONCLUSION OF BOTH 5:00 P.M. GAMES
GAME 3 - 8:40 p.m. - #1 Union def. #8 Lyon (box)
GAME 4 - 8:40 p.m. - #4 Cumberland def. #5 Blue Mountain (box)
Thursday, May 3
GAME 5 - 4:00 p.m. - #3 Martin Methodist def. #7 Bethel - (box)
GAME 7 - 6:00 p.m. - #2 Freed-Hardeman def. #6 Mid-Continent - (box)
GAME 8 - 6:00 p.m. - #1 Union def. #4 Cumberland (box)
GAME 9 - 8:00 p.m. - #3 Martin Methodist def. #4 Cumberland (box)
GAME 10 - 8:00 p.m. - #5 Blue Mountain def. #6 Mid-Continent (box)
Mid-Continent eliminated
Friday, May 4
GAME 12 - 2:00 p.m. - #3 Martin Methodist def. #5 Blue Mountain (box)
GAME 13 - 4:00 p.m. #2 Freed-Hardeman def. #3 Martin Methodist - (box)
GAME 14 - 6:00 p.m. - #1 Union def. #2 Freed-Hardeman 4-3 (box)
GAME 15 (if necessary) - 8:00 p.m. - (box)
Union University claims the automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round.
1. Union (25-3)
2. Freed-Hardeman (18-10)
2. Martin Methodist (18-10)
4. Cumberland (15-13)
5. Blue Mountain (12-16)
6. Mid-Continent (10-18)
7. Bethel (9-19)
8. Lyon (5-23)
*FHU is the 2 seed by virtue tiebreaker, MMC and FHU split. Against TSAC teams in order 1-8, both MMC and FHU went 1-3 with Union, but FHU went 3-1 with CU to MMC's split with CU.
CONTACT INFO
Media Contacts: Claire Cook - email: ccook@martinmethodist.edu - (cell) 931-309-3023
John Armstrong - email: jarmstrong@fhu.edu - (cell)
West Tennessee Sportsplex: Ricky Yates, Operations Dir./Softball - 800-941-2415
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PULASKI, Tenn. - The 2012 TranSouth Conference softball postseason honors have been released. Union University standout Shelby Lamb was voted as the TranSouth Player of the Year, as Union also claimed Pitcher and Freshman of the Year awards in hurling duo Brooke Thomas and Kelly Robey, and the Coach of the Year nod with Heather Hall. Martin Methodist's Veronika Fukunishi was named Newcomer of the Year, as the first and second team all-conference awards were also announced. These awards will be presented during a ceremony following Wednesday's 5:00 pm games in the conference tournament, which starts Wednesday, May 2 at the West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex in Jackson, Tennessee.
PITCHER OF THE YEAR (photo): Brooke Thomas, Union
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR (photo): Veronika Fukunishi, Martin Methodist
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR (photo): Kelly Robey, Union
COACH OF THE YEAR (photo): Heather Hall, Union
Shelby Lamb, Union
Veronika Fukunishi, Martin Methodist
Sarah Elizabeth Cousar, Freed-Hardeman
Brooklyn Jenkins, Bethel
Chrissy Darnell, Martin Methodist
Brooke Thomas, Union
Amber VanSandt, Freed-Hardeman
Kelly Robey, Union
Katlin White, Martin Methodist
Stephanie Saunders, Union
Molly Hargrove, Mid-Continent
Katie Davis, Union
Courtney Maynard, Cumberland
Amanda Renfroe, Bethel
Alex Williams, Union
Kimmy Nicholson, Blue Mountain
Allison Blackwood, Cumberland
Cynthia Takahashi, Martin Methodist
SECOND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE (photo)
Sydney Broderick, Cumberland
Kandace Christopher, Martin Methodist
Chrissy Worth, Martin Methodist
Kaitlyn Patterson, Lyon College
Bry Navarro, Mid-Continent
Sydney McMillian, Bethel
Emily Nicholson, Cumberland
Haylei Plummer, Blue Mountain
Erica Whitaker, Lyon
Brittany Yates, Freed-Hardeman
Shelby Cummings, Freed-Hardeman
Mercedes Norfolk, Freed-Hardeman
Anna Maziarka, Mid-Continent
Brooke Jones, Blue Mountain
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PULASKI, Tenn. - The TranSouth Scholar Athletes list for softball has been released and 59 players have earned the academic award. To be considered for the TranSouth Scholar Athlete award, a student-athlete must have a 3.0 GPA and must be at least a sophomore academically. To earn the NAIA Scholar Athlete award*, a student athlete must have a 3.5 GPA, be at least a junior academically, and must have completed one full year at their institution. Union University and Blue Mountain College led the league, each boasting nine scholar athletes.
Union University (photo): (9) Ali Bozza, Katie Davis, Katie Beth Fesmire*, Sam Geisler*, Caroline George*, Toby Joy*, Keaton Kirk*, Stephanie Saunders*, Brooke Thomas*
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Darnell collected the win, moving to 12-1 with the shutout, only allowing four hits on the day.
MMC will travel to both Freed-Hardeman and Lyon College over the weekend for more league action.
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PULASKI, Tenn. - Union University has been selected as the top team in the 2012 TranSouth Conference Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll. Union University who finished second at last year's tournament, earned seven first place votes.
Martin Methodist College was picked second and received the other first place vote, while Freed-Hardeman University was voted third, Cumberland University fourth, Bethel University fifth, Lyon (Ark.) College sixth, Mid-Continent (Ky.) University seventh and Blue Mountain (Miss.) College eighth.
# School - POINTS (1st Place Votes)
1. Union University - 63 (7)
2. Martin Methodist - 52 (1)
3. Freed-Hardeman - 46
4. Cumberland University- 42
5. Bethel University - 34
6. Lyon College - 22
7. Mid-Continent - 16
8. Blue Mountain - 13
UNION UNIVERSITY LADY BULLDOGS
JACKSON, Tenn. -- The Union University Lady Bulldogs open the 2012 season looking to build on a runner-up finish in the TranSouth Conference from last season. The Lady Bulldogs finished the 2011 season 41-15 overall and 24-6 in conference play. This season, Union is ranked No. 17 in the NAIA Preseason Polls and has been picked No. 1 in the TranSouth Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The largest class on Union's roster is made up of freshmen. Natalie Neal, Alex Williams, Kohnley Wade, Lacy Fisher, Kelly Robey, Taylor Hargrove, Paxton Sisson, Lacey Hodge, and Kristen Powell will start their college careers with the Lady Bulldogs.
PULASKI, Tenn. -- Martin Methodist comes off a 33-29 finish overall, and a third place finish in the 2011 TranSouth Softball Championships, and are picked to finish second in the TSAC this season. The RedHawks are already receiving votes in the NAIA preseason poll, as they return a host of talent. Head coach Brandie Paul returns for her 11th season at the helm, returning assistant coach Hector Lora for his second year and manager Brittany Trevarthen for her fifth year. New faces to the staff include pitching coach Ashley Altman and student assistant Jessica Ayers.
The RedHawks will open the season with their annual MMC Meltdown tournament in Pulaski, and then head to several early season tournaments to face off with a host of Top 25 competition, including the NAIA Leadoff Classic in Panama City, Florida, and the prestigious Gulf Coast Invitational in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
HENDERSON, Tenn. -- It is not often that a team's roster is heavy with both seniors and freshmen, but that is what the Freed-Hardeman Lady Lions' roster looked like last season. After finishing 2011 with a 23-23 record, FHU graduated five seniors but will also bring back several underclassmen that saw plenty of innings. So while the 2012 version of Lady Lion softball will have only one senior, it will not be a team that lacks in the area of experience.
Also returning is sophomore Tiffany Tucker, who missed the second half of her freshman season after a solid start. In 12 appearances, she had a 4-5 record and an ERA of 3.95.
The team also adds three newcomers including two with college experience in junior college transfers Mercedes Norfork and Shelby Cummings. The remaining newcomer, Kamara Trice, had a very successful high school career. Both Norfork and Cummings had stellar sophomore seasons at Jackson State (Tenn.) Community College - Norfork hit .444 with 19 doubles, seven home runs and 45 RBI while Cummings hit .449 with 18 doubles, 33 RBI and 20 steals.
LEBANON, Tenn. -- All-TranSouth performers Allison Blackwood and Megan Lavery return for Cumberland from last year's 31-27 club, but fourth-year head coach Heather Stanfill must replace three-year starter Stephanie Gutierrez as well as CaSarah Gilliam, both All-Conference honorees in 2011.
Lavery showed her versatility in 2011, starting 33 games at catcher and 21 others either in second base, leftfield or designated player. The Mt. Juliet, Tenn., native batted .323 with 14 doubles, seven homers, 23 RBIs and 35 runs scored. She was also hit 13 times and posted a team-best .403 on-base percentage.
Behind the plate CU will feature Lavery as well as a pair of newcomers - junior Kacy Hobbs (San Jacinto JC) and freshman Sydney Broderick (Knox Karns HS).
MCKENZIE, Tenn. -- There are quite a few changes for Bethel University softball and 5th year head coach, Larry Geraldi (95 - 96) this season. Gone are the four year players - Brittany Edmonds, Lindsey Davis, Jennifer Townson, and Kasey Winsett, along with three year pitching ace Leah Hensley. This group helped lead Bethel to the 2009 TranSouth Conference Tournament Championship and an appearance in the NAIA National Tournament.
Shawna McAdams (P/C/2B) East Robertson - Julia Cruce (C/1B) Waverly - Ashley Denfip (OF) Benton, KY - Racheal Carroll (IF) East Hickman.
This year's schedule is just as strong as in the past with the tough teams in the TranSouth conference along with playing OVC division I member, Murray State University. The Lady Cats will also travel to the Gulf Shores Invitational in March to face a very strong field in this prestigious event.
BATESVILLE, Ark. -- The Lyon College softball program is looking to improve on their 22-27 finish last season, their highest regular season finish since the program started in 2007-08. Lyon head coach Kristen Kolter (1st season) returns seven players. Among the seven is sophomore Sarah Knudsen who was named Second Team All-Conference in the 2011 season. Lyon adds 8 newcomers to the mix.
The Scots season opener will be the Lyon College Softball Invitational on February 17th and 18th. Lyon is scheduled to play William Woods and Williams Baptist on Friday, February 17th at 9:00 & 11:00 am. Lyon will open conference play on February 29th as they host the Bulldogs of Union University.
MAYFIELD, Ky. -- The Mid-Continent University softball team enters the 2012 campaign coming off a 15-33 season in 2011, but with the returning talent, and a hard working team, coach Christa Bakemeier hopes this year's club can improve that total and find themselves in the thick of the TranSouth Athletic Conference race in April and May.
The Cougars open their 2012 campaign at home against Williams Baptist College on February 22 at 1 p.m.
BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. -- If more speed translates into more runs then Blue Mountain College softball coach Kevin Barefield believes his Toppers will be a much better team than their inaugural season of a year ago.
"We lost 10 games by one run last year and another couple by two," said Barefield, whose Toppers open their season at 1 p.m. Feb. 11 against Williams Baptist College in a doubleheader at the New Albany Sportsplex.
"We had pretty good speed last year but we signed some players with speed that should make us much stronger offensively."
A dozen players are back from last year's 5-39 squad that finished 3-27 in the TranSouth Athletic Conference.
Senior Haylei Plummer and sophomore Samantha Sagely, both named to the All-TSAC second team, were the Toppers' offensive leaders last year.
Plummer, a third baseman from Pope, Miss., hit .284 with seven doubles and two home runs and drove in 13 runs. She had a .324 on-base percentage.
Sagely, a right fielder from Alcorn Central, hit. 316 with on-base percentage of .375 and was good on seven of nine stolen base attempts.
Kimmy Nicholson, a center fielder from Nettleton, is a transfer from Itawamba Community College where in two years she hit .415, including .465 last season, and swiped 58 bases while being thrown out only twice.
Barefield noted BMC will return all three pitchers from last season - Halley Beckhan (2-15, 3.60 earned run average), Brooke Denton (1-15, 3.87 ERA, 76 strikeouts) and Meggin Nelson (2-9, 5.44 ERA) - and Whitney Hardwick, a standout pitcher and shortstop from Alcorn Central.
"I really feel good about this year's team," Barefield said. "We were so close so many times last year, and now we've got that first year under our belts. Last year was a big year for us, but we got a lot of good experience and we'll know more about what to expect this year.
"I think we'll compete well with every team in our conference and we've got some awfully good teams in the TranSouth."
A deep and talented class of newcomers arrives on campus ready to help the Trojans continue to build on the past two seasons' successes. Juniors Lacey Grimes (Ashland City, Tenn.) and Aubrey Jordan (Spring Hill, Tenn.), sophomore Natalie Papini (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), and freshmen Ansley Brantley (Kite, Ga.), Nicole Davis (Greenville, Ohio), Kelsey Kemp (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.), Brittany Pendergrast (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), and Lindsey Stephens (Somerset, Ky.) will add depth and flexibility to the Trevecca lineup in 2012.
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Haylee Rogers (Trevecca Nazarene), Karli Rush (Trevecca Nazarene), and Tobie Joy (Union University) were selected to the first team. Lauren Baker (Trevecca), Amber Kinsey (Martin Methodist), Kristi Kelley (Lyon College), Shelby Lamb (Union University), Amber Hayes (Union University), and Keaton Kirk (Union University) made the second team.
NFCA member coaches in each of the five regions select the Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Region teams and honorees are now eligible to be selected as either a first or second team All-American.
The 2011 Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-American teams will be announced on Friday, May 27 and will be available on NFCA.org.
To view all of the 2011 Louisville Slugger/NFCA NAIA All-Region teams, click here.
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The 31st Annual NAIA Softball Championship is being played at the Gulf Shores SportsPlex. Trevecca will play their final pool game on Saturday against No. 18 Oregon Tech at 5:30 p.m.
In a match up of 20-game winners, Trevecca starting pitcher Riley Mashburn (21-3) pitched a complete game shutout, striking out seven (7) Knights. Mashburn allowed just three hits and three walks over seven innings of work.
Larisa Garcia (20-7) took the loss for Northwood. Garcia allowed seven hits and struck out five Trojans. Garcia wasn't credited with any earned runs due to four (4) Knight errors.
Mashburn ran into trouble in the first, second, fourth and sixth innings as the Knights put two on the board in each of those frames, but she stranded each of those runners, including six in scoring position. Trevecca's defense, which played error less ball, and Mashburn's seven strikeouts were key to the victory.
This was Mashburn's 15th complete game and fifth shutout of the year. Mashburn's career record is now 51-19 and this was her 12th career complete-game shutout. It was her 46th career complete game.
Trevecca coach Ben Tyree says the team was tested today, but passed the test, "Northwood tested, but Riley and the defense came up big when they had runners in scoring position. Riley made some big pitches with runners in scoring position and her teammates played error less ball behind her. Kari made a game-saving catch on a line-drive, if not for that Northwood would have scored a pair of runs."
"We took advantage of their miscues and kept the pressure on offensively. Karli, one of our seniors, was big at the plate with a pair of hits."
Trevecca's NAIA Championships Home Page
Trevecca, who won their 20th consecutive game, scored a run in the first inning, two in the fourth and then another run in the fifth.
Three errors proved costly for the Knights. A throwing error led to the first Trevecca run in the first inning and a one-out error in the fourth started a two-run rally for the Trojans as they tacked on some insurance runs. Breanna Zeis started that frame with a lead-off single and later came around on a throwing error. Heather Shuler dropped down a RBI-bunt single to cap the scoring in the inning.
Trevecca's bats didn't produce any extra base hits, but did have six different batters reach base safely with a hit. Senior Karli Rush was the only Trojan with more than one hit. Rush was 2-4 with a run scored. Haylee Rogers, the 2011 TranSouth Freshman of the Year, was 1-4 with a run scored, RBI, and a stolen base. Lauren Baker and Heather Shuler also added a RBI a piece.
Over the last 36 games, Trevecca is 35-1.
Trevecca is now 16-11 all-time at the NAIA Championships. Trevecca is now 14-3 in pool play at the NAIA Championships. Trevecca is 2-8 in games played in the final eight-team championship bracket. Trevecca won a game in bracket play in 2006 and again in 2007.
Trevecca will play No. 18 Oregon Tech on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. (Oregon Tech Radio Broadcast)
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Trevecca hurler Lauren Baker (25-0) struck out four of the first six batters she faced on her way to a 1-hit shutout of the Midland Warriors. In all Baker pitched five innings for the complete game one-hit shutout. The TranSouth Pitcher of the Year allowed just three hits and struck out six Warriors.
This was Baker's 14th complete game of the year and fourth shutout. Baker's career record is now 52-12 and she this was her 10th career complete-game shutout. It was her 46th career complete game.
Trevecca coach Ben Tyree saw a team win today, "We had a number of people contribute to this win. Kelsey started us off with a double and then Heather hits the three-run home run. Lauren was in control in the circle. Kari was 3-3, had two stolen bases, and scored three times. I could go on, it was a great team win."
Trevecca's NAIA Championships Home Page
Kerra Grantski (1-11) pitched the complete game for the Warriors, who are making their second consecutive trip to the NAIA Championships. Grantski allowed nine hits and nine runs while only eight were earned. Trojan batters drew one walk and only two were retired on strikes.
Trevecca, who won their 19th consecutive game, scored four runs in the first, one in the third and then another four runs in the fourth. Both teams committed an error.
Heather Shuler provided the punch in the first inning with a three-run home run. Shuler was 2-1 with a run scored and three RBI. Kelsey Lantrip also hit for extra bases with a double. Lantrip was 2-3 with two runs scored and two RBI. Kari Mason added two stolen bases while going 3-3 at the plate with three runs scored and an RBI. Melinda Patterson had a stolen base and was 1-2 at the plate with a run scored.
Shuler has four home runs on the season and 40 RBI. Kari Mason has now stolen 21 bases in 24 attempts and leads the team with 49 runs scored.
Over the last 35 games, Trevecca is 34-1. Trevecca has reached the 50 home run mark for the fourth time in school history and the second year in a row. In 2010 the team hit 71 home runs, their best ever. Trevecca also reached the 50 home run mark in 2007 (67) and 2006 (62).
Trevecca is now 15-11 all-time at the NAIA Championships. Trevecca is now 13-3 in pool play at the NAIA Championships. Trevecca is 2-8 in games played in the final eight-team bracket. Trevecca won a game in bracket play in 2006 and again in 2007.
Trevecca will play Northwood (Texas) University (37-14) on Friday (5/20) at 10 a.m. Northwood lost 1-0 to No. 18 Oregon Tech on Thursday.
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For more information on the National Championship, click here.
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The tournament featured plenty of closely contested ballgames with six of the 16 games ending on walk-off hits and five games going into extra innings.
HELPFUL LINKS
Henderson Weather | Driving Directions | Campus Map
Bracket | Live Stats | Live Audio (all games) | Tournament Program
TranSouth Standings | National Tournament Information | NAIA Rankings
TranSouth History | Past TranSouth Tournaments 2010 - 2009 - 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000 - 1999 - 1998 - 1997
2011 POST SEASON AWARDS
Player of the Year: Amber Hayes, Union University
Pitcher of the Year: Lauren Baker, Trevecca Nazarene University
Newcomer of the Year: Tobie Joy, Union University
Freshman of the Year: Haylee Rogers, Trevecca Nazarene University
Coach of the Year: Ben Tyree, Trevecca Nazarene University
Regular Season Champion: Trevecca Nazarene University (photo)
Tournament Champion: Trevecca Nazarene University (photo)
All-Conference Teams (First Team Photo | Second Team Photo | Superlatives Photo)
Scholar Athletes
TranSouth Softball Awards Page
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
GAME 1 - 9:00 a.m. - #8 Mid-Continent 3, #9 Blue Mountain 1 (box)
GAME 2 - 11:00 a.m. - #6 Lyon College 2, #3 Freed-Hardeman 1 (9 innings) (box)
GAME 3 - 1:00 p.m. - #2 Union University 8, #7 Bethel University 4 (box)
GAME 4 - 3:00 p.m. - #1 Trevecca Nazarene 2, #8 Mid-Continent 1 (11 innings) (box) * hits allowed for TNU's Lauren Baker in box score are incorrect
GAME 5 - 5:30 p.m. - #4 Cumberland 11, #5 Martin Methodist 10 (box)
GAME 6 - 7:30 p.m. - #3 Freed-Hardeman University 7, Blue Mountain 6 (box)
Friday, May 6
GAME 13 - 9:00 a.m. - #1 Trevecca Nazarene 4, #2 Union 1 (box)
GAME 14 - 11:00 a.m. - #5 Martin Methodist 8, #4 Cumberland 6 (10 innings)(box)
CONTACT/MEDIA INFO
Media Contact: John Armstrong - email: jarmstrong@fhu.edu - (phone) 731-989-6356
Freed-Hardeman Switchboard: 731-989-6000
Freed-Hardeman Athletics Office: 731-989-6910
Twitter Feed: @TranSouth
Facebook Page: TranSouth Athletic Conference
TOURNAMENT SEEDS/FINAL CONFERENCE STANDINGS
#1 Trevecca Nazarene (29-1)
#2 Union University (24-6)
#3 Freed-Hardeman (17-13)
#4 Cumberland (17-15)
#5 Martin Methodist (15-17)
#6 Lyon College (13-17)
* Lyon earns sixth seed by virtue of winning three of four in head-to-head competition with Bethel
#7 Bethel University (13-17)
#8 Mid-Continent (7-25)
#9 Blue Mountain (3-27)
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TNU's Lauren Baker was named Pitcher of the Year while teammate Haylee Rogers earned Freshman of the Year honors and head coach Ben Tyree was selected as the Coach of the Year. The Trojans placed a total of eight players on the all-conference squads with six appearing on the first team.
Amber Hayes of Union was voted as the Player of the Year and Tobie Joy was named Newcomer of the Year. The Lady Bulldogs had seven all-conference players, five of which were first-team selections.
Hayes, a 5-foot-9 senior from Brighton, Tenn., was second in the conference in batting average at .442 while tying for the top spot in RBIs with 50. She also hit eight home runs and was third in the conference in slugging percentage (.709).
Baker, a 5-foot-5 junior from Hendersonville, Tenn., finished the regular season with a perfect 22-0 record while posting a 1.91 ERA and striking out 123 batters.
Joy, a 5-foot-1 sophomore from Covington, Tenn., batted .390 with 35 runs scored and 13 RBIs. She also pitched in five games posting a 4-0 record with a 2.14 ERA.
Rogers, a 5-foot-3 freshman from Goodlettsville, Tenn., led the conference in home runs with 15 while hitting .431 and driving in 46 runs. She had three multi-home runs games this season.
Tyree earned his second consecutive coach of the year award after leading Trevecca to a No. 5 national rating on the strength of its 42-3 overall record. The Trojans won their fifth regular season championship in six years, posting a 29-1 record in conference play.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Amber Hayes, Union
PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Lauren Baker, Trevecca Nazarene
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Tobie Joy, Union
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Haylee Rogers, Trevecca Nazarene
COACH OF THE YEAR: Ben Tyree, Trevecca Nazarene
FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
Amber Hayes, Union
Lauren Baker, Trevecca Nazarene
Haylee Rogers, Trevecca Nazarene
Kristi Kelley, Lyon
Shelby Lamb, Union
Brooke Thomas, Union
Amber Kinsey, Martin Methodist
Karli Rush, Trevecca Nazarene
Brittany Yates, Freed-Hardeman
Brianna Zeis, Trevecca Nazarene
Allison Blackwood, Cumberland
Tobie Joy, Union
Keaton Kirk, Union
Heather Shuler, Trevecca Nazarene
Jennifer Townson, Bethel
Riley Mashburn, Trevecca Nazarene
Sarah Elizabeth Cousar, Freed-Hardeman
Katlin White, Martin Methodist
SECOND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
Jackie Lloyd, Mid-Continent
Megan Lavery, Cumberland
Stephanie Saunders, Union
C.J. Browder, Union
Kelsey Lantrip, Trevecca Nazarene
Haylei Plummer, Blue Mountain
Sarah Knudson, Lyon
Stephanie Gutierrez, Cumberland
CaSarah Gilliam, Cumberland
Samantha Queen, Martin Methodist
Molly Hargrove, Mid-Continent
Leah Hensley, Bethel
Kari Mason, Trevecca Nazarene
Sam Sagely, Blue Mountain
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To be considered a TranSouth Scholar Athlete, student-athletes must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and be a sophomore or above in academic classification.
Additionally, 18 student-athletes will be named NAIA Scholar Athletes by carrying at least a 3.5 grade point average and being a junior or senior in academic classification.
Bethel University (10) - Morgan Berry, Ashton Carnahan, Brooke Cary*, Brittany Edmonds*, Leah Hensley*, Colby Prosser*, Amanda Renfroe, Emily Roper, Jennifer Townson*, Kasey Winsett
Blue Mountain College (4) - Jessica Bumpus, Stephanie Dillard, Kristi Hurley, Lizzy Sherard
Cumberland University (11) - Tonya Barlow, Victoria Bennett, Allison Blackwood, Autumn Collins, Caity Gray*, Megan Lavery, Christina Manis, Courtney Maynard, Taylor McDaniel, Nicole Swann, Courtney White
Freed-Hardeman University (6) - Jill Brock, Savannah Cole, Summer Cole, Samantha Stricklin, Augusta McClary*, Audra Yopp
Lyon College (5) - Jordan Faulkner, Chelsea Fowler, Kristan Inman*, Kristi Kelley*, Kaitlyn Patterson
Martin Methodist College (6) - Jessica Ayers, Joanna Jones, Tiffany McCormick*, Megan McKean, Samantha Queen, Beth Wilson
Mid-Continent University (10) - Kaylee Blankenship*, Nicki Dewitt, Amanda Duke, Kelly Fougerousse, Krista Hoover*, Amanda Hostettler, Jennifer Martinez, Hannah Moseley*, Lacee Underwood*, Alyssa Ybarra
Trevecca Nazarene University (7) - Lauren Baker*, Kelsey Lantrip*, Riley Mashburn, Kari Mason, Melinda Patterson*, Karli Rush*, Hannah Schnebly
Union University (11) - Ali Bozza*, Brittany Burkett, Katie Davis, Hailee Edwards, Samantha Geisler, Caroline George, Amber Hayes, Keaton Kirk, Stephanie Saunders, Brooke Thomas, Tobie Joy
* indicates NAIA Scholar Athlete
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The Trojans, who reached the final eight of last year's national tournament, are ranked No. 9 in the NAIA Preseason Poll, which was released on Nov. 9. Union (Tenn.) University was picked to finish second in the conference and received a No. 24 national rating.
NAIA National Ratings
Martin Methodist (Tenn.) College, the 2009 regular season and tournament champion, was picked to finish third while Cumberland (Tenn.) University placed fourth. Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) University and Bethel (Tenn.) University were voted fifth and sixth respectively while Lyon (Ark.) College and Mid-Continent (Ky.) University rounded out the returning teams in the seventh and eighth spots. Blue Mountain (Miss.) College was picked to finish ninth in its first year of having a program.
This year's conference tournament will be hosted by Freed-Hardeman on May 3-6 at FHU's Morgan Stadium at Associates Field.
No. School - Points (First Place Votes)
1. Trevecca Nazarene - 80 (8)
2. Union 69 - (1)
3. Martin Methodist - 67
4. Cumberland - 47
5. Freed-Hardeman - 41
6. Bethel - 39
7. Lyon - 32
8. Mid-Continent - 19
9. Blue Mountain - 11
2011 TEAM OUTLOOKS
Bethel University Lady Wildcats
The Bethel University Lady Wildcats and Coach Larry Geraldi are looking forward to the 2011 season with high expectations. The Lady Cats ended their 2010 season with a 25-27 record and an awesome finish in the TranSouth Conference tournament in Nashville, Tenn. Bethel lost its first game in the tournament and then went on a run in the loser's bracket to eliminate Lyon, Cumberland, Union, and Martin Methodist. They then defeated Trevecca, who came out of the winner's bracket, to force an if-necessary game. In that game Bethel was defeated 5-4 in 10 innings. Bethel showed great determination and a never to say die attitude. Those qualities along with Trevecca's success in the national tournament indicates to the team that when they play well they can compete with anyone.
Coach Geraldi, who is starting his fourth year as head coach at Bethel with a 75-71 record, has his largest senior class with five players. Pitcher Leah Hensley, catcher Brittany Edmonds, center fielder Lindsey Davis, third baseman/DH Jennifer Townson and utility player/DH Kasey Winsett will provide the needed leadership to be successful. The junior class is lead by last year's leading hitter and leading homerun hitter Amanda Renfroe who will see action at third base and in the outfield, shortstop Brooke Cary, right fielder Morgan Berry and catcher Colby
Prosser. Sophomores included Union University transfer Sydney McMillin, Emily Roper, Ashton Carnahan, and Katie Pacifici.
The Lady Cats only lost two seniors from last year's squad - Amber Metzger and Ashley Simmons. They will be replaced by freshmen - Kayla Durham from Kingston Springs, Tenn.; Taylor Long from McEwen, Tenn.; and Alex Weatherly from Lexington, Tenn.
As in previous years the Lady Wildcats have a tough schedule with home and away dates with all the members of the TranSouth Conference. Bethel will also play some of the nation's best NAIA schools in the "Sweet Sixteen" tournament at Belhaven University in Jackson, Miss., and the "Gulf Coast Classic" tournament hosted by the University of Mobile in Gulf Shores, Ala.
The Lady Wildcats are excited to be playing in their newly renovated softball facility this season with their home opener on Feb. 22 against a tough Martin Methodist College squad. The renovation includes new home & visitor dugouts, higher backstop with netting & padding, new spectator seating, press box, coaches' office, player locker room, restrooms, storage building, concession stand, home & visitor bullpens, batting cage, and landscaping.
Blue Mountain College Lady Toppers
Back in the fall Kevin Barefield got a glimpse of what the first Blue Mountain College softball team could turn out to be, and the Lady Toppers' coach liked what he saw.
"We were aggressive; that was the main thing," Barefield says. "None of our players went to the plate looking for a walk. They were looking to hit the ball and to put in play. That's all you can ask for."
BMC plays its inaugural game Feb. 11 at the New Albany SportsPlex against Williams Baptist College.
The Lady Toppers played four games in the fall and posted a 3-0-1 record. "I felt really good about how well we came together as a team," Barefield says. "We had some injuries that kind of side-tracked us, but our players responded by making whatever adjustments were necessary and just played it on out."
BMC had three starters injured with in the top of the first inning of its first fall game. So far, the Lady Toppers have had three knee surgeries, a dislocated finger and torn hand ligaments, a severe high ankle sprain, and an assortment of less-crippling injuries.
"That's just something we have to deal with," Barefield says. "All teams have injuries, but I didn't know we would have so many so soon."
BMC's pitching rotation of freshmen Meggin Nelson of Vardaman, Brooke Denton of Pontotoc, and Halley Beckham from Adamsville, Tenn., will be, Barefield says, the team's strength.
"All three are freshman, but they are three totally different pitchers style-wise," he says. "Of course, Beckham was one of the knee surgeries and Denton dislocated her finger, but they've all worked hard in the off-season and should be ready."
A pair of junior college standouts - Jessica Bumpus of Middleton, Tenn., and Jackson State Community College; and Haylei Plummer of Pope and Northwest Mississippi Community College - provided "immediate leadership" for the Lady Toppers.
"Bumpus is a really strong outfielder but when we had a couple of injuries she came in and played second base like she'd been there all along," Barefield says. "Plummer is an outstanding shortstop who also gives us instant offense."
Sam Sagely, a freshman center fielder from Corinth, saw very little action in the fall because of a sprained ankle. "Sam is the ideal leadoff hitter with great speed," Barefield says. "We're excited that she's ready and able to go right now."
"We've got 16 players on our roster and 14 of them are first-year college players," Barefield says. "We really don't know what to expect, but we know it's going to be fun."
Cumberland University Bulldogs
Coming off its first 20-win season in recent memory, Cumberland University is looking to keep climbing toward the top of the TranSouth Conference standings in 2011, returning all of last year's starters from a squad that finished fifth in the league a year ago.
Cumberland ended last year at 20-30 overall and was greatly improved over head coach Heather Stanfill's first season, when the Bulldogs posted only seven wins.
"We are proud of the improvements that we've made in the last couple of years, but all of our goals have not been met," the third-year coach said. "We need to keep building on the success we've had to this point."
CU returns a pair of second-team All-Conference players from last season - sophomores Christina Manis and Allison Blackwood - and will also look to another previous second-teamer, senior Stephanie Gutierrez, to make a push toward the top of the league. Emily Nicholson will also play a huge role for the Bulldogs as the sophomore was one of the hottest bats in the league at the end of last season, closing the year on a 17-game hitting streak.
Although still an underclassman-filled squad with only one senior and a trio of juniors, Cumberland should be more consistent this season as a lack of experience hurt the Bulldogs in several games a year ago.
Cumberland brings in three freshmen - Heather James, Courtney Maynard and Sarah Murray - who are all expected to have an immediate impact for the Bulldogs.
Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions
Excitement may be the best word to describe the outlook for the Freed-Hardeman softball team entering the 2011 season. This year's squad will feature a mixture of talented youth and experience and will look to improve on last season's 17-26 record.
Gone are the team's leading hitter in Brittany Steverson and No. 1 pitcher in Britney Caldwell, but 11th year coach Todd Humphry still returns some offense beginning with junior Brittany Yates. Yates hit .331 last year with seven home runs and 23 RBI, tops on the team in both power categories.
Yates is one of four returning starters in the infield. Anchoring the middle infield are seniors Betsy Pickler (.279, 10 RBI) and Jill Brock (.252, 18 RBI). Augusta McClary, one of the team's best defensive players, returns at the hot corner. Also returning is Caneisha Turner, who worked her way into the starting right field spot last season and responded by hitting .350 in 14 starts.
This year's freshman class could prove to be the among the best in Humphry's tenure with all five expected to get a chance to contribute to the team's success early in the season. Sarah Elizabeth Cousar (Covington, Tenn.) and Tiffany Tucker (Lyles, Tenn.) have the potential to make an immediate impact in the circle, and with the loss of Caldwell, both will have opportunities to do just that. Cousar also has a strong bat and will likely be in the lineup when not pitching. Catcher Bailey Morgan (Covington, Tenn.), IF/OF Natalie Nelson (Jackson, Tenn.) and OF Brittny Johnson (Dyersburg, Tenn.) all come from successful high school programs and have the ability to be key components of the Lady Lion lineup.
As usual, FHU opens its season at the Martin Methodist Meltdown in Pulaski, Tenn. The home opener is set for March 8 against Blue Mountain (Miss.) College.
Lyon College Scots
Just as there are daily questions concerning the Arkansas weather in late winter and spring, there daily questions with a young team in any sport. This applies to the 2011 Lyon College softball team.
This season's squad is anchored by sophomore Chelsea Fowler (Huffman, Texas). In 2010, Fowler hit three home runs and drove in 20 at the plate for the Scots'. Fowler batted .311 during the 2010 campaign.
Also returning this season is senior Kristi Kelley (DeBerry, Texas). Last season, Kelley did a solid job defensively in the outfield, only making two errors all season.
Kelley will also make an impact offensively, finishing the 2010 season with 62 hits, seven doubles, a triple, and a home run. She also gets the job done on the base paths, stealing 31-of-36 bases last season, cross the plate a team high 45 times.
Head coach Jason Miner will be looking to freshman newcomers Sarah Knudson (Parker, Colo.), Chelsea Conrade (Cabot, Ark.), and Erica Whitaker (Thayer, Mo.), to make an impact as well.
The Scots, who finished 2010 with an overall record of 15-27 and 4-10 in TranSouth play, will lead off this season with an exhibition double-header at Arkansas-Monticello on Feb. 13. Later that week, Coach Miner's team will host a tournament on Feb. 18 and 19, with the host team and Avila (Mo.) getting things started at noon.
Martin Methodist College RedHawks
Martin Methodist College softball, ranked 27 in the NAIA's preseason poll and picked third in the TranSouth, has combined veteran returners and a host of new talent in preparation for the upcoming 2011 season. The RedHawks bring back an experienced pitching staff, after winning back-to-back TSAC Pitcher of the Year awards in 2009 and 2010, alongside five returning starters in the field. Head Coach Brandie Paul enters her 11 season at MMC, coming off a 2010 42-13 finish, her third consecutive 40-plus win season.
Sophomore Katlin White and junior Chrissy Worth will be relied upon heavily to lead their squad in the circle, as transfer Megan McKean will make the decisions behind the plate. White's 23-5 record, with a TranSouth-leading 1.41 ERA, earned her a spot on the NFCA All-Region second team and complimented Worth's 19-8, 1.64 ERA performance across the season. Combined, the duo held opponents to a .211 average at the plate as White ranked among the top 10 in the NAIA with 264 strikeouts.
Also among returners include last year's TranSouth Player and Freshman of the Year, Karina de los Santos and Amber Kinsey. Both were blazing hot at the plate during 2010, as Kinsey averaged a .412 in 170 at-bats, driving in 42 runs and leading MMC in five categories, while Santos was a three-time TSAC Player of the Week with a .341 clip and 52 RBI.
Four-year seniors Nicole McWhorter and Carrie Morris, and returning junior Samantha Queen bring to the infield the experience of a highly-competitive TranSouth slate, while junior-college transfer Kandace Christopher is expected to make an immediate impact in the middle infield. Santos and Tiffany McCormick will combine with the speed of transfer Kristin Myers to patrol the outfield for the RedHawks. Newcomers Ashley Webb, Joanna Jones, and Beth Wilson add depth to infield positions and the MMC lineup, providing an arsenal of weapons throughout the season.
Sophomores Chae Ellis, Jessica Ayers, and Shelby Wallace will compete for more playing time with a season competition under their belts, as Kinsey rounds out the class as an anchor at the plate. Caroline Ezell, the lone freshman on the team, will use her first season of collegiate competition to continue to build on her game in the circle under the influence of Worth and White.
The team will begin their season on Feb. 12 with a home double-header against former TranSouth institution, Lambuth University, and quickly launching into TSAC competition in a matchup with Bethel University in McKenzie on March 2.
Mid-Continent University Cougars
Second-year head coach Christa Bakemeier, who guided MCU to records of 15-32-1 overall and 4-10 in a tough TranSouth race last season, returns 11 letter-winners, including five starters from the 2010 team, and blends six seniors and five juniors with considerable playing experience with two sophomores and six freshmen.
"This is a team with diverse talent levels and abilities, and they all push each other in positive ways," says Bakemeier. "MCU possesses a great work ethic and heart, and they look out for each other and won't accept losing."
Senior Kelly Fougerousse (4-8, 4.24 ERA) returns to the pitching circle along with senior Amanda Duke, who comes back from a medical redshirt after pitching 109 innings in 2009. Juniors Kaylee Blankenship and Krista Hoover (Shawnee CC) and freshman Molly Hargrove also enter the mix for regular pitching action.
Behind the plate, senior Jennifer Martinez (.282, 9 RBI) and freshmen Bry Navarro, an All-Region player from an Arizona state champion program, and Autumn Bowman give MCU a solid catching trio.
Fougerousse (.331, 3 HR, 26 RBI), an All-TSAC second team and NCCAA All-Mideast Region selection, plays first base when not pitching, and junior Lacee Underwood (Shawnee CC) plays first base when Fougerousse pitches.
MCU's double-play combination begins with senior 2B Amanda Hostettler (.239, 5 RBI) and sophomore SS Lindsey Speed (.171, 3 RBI). Sophomore Alyssa Ybarra (.154, 2 RBI) and freshman Brittany Fitzpatrick will see action at shortstop.
At third base, junior Lisa Szatkowski (.289, 3 HR, 9 RBI) returns for her third season and also may see time at second base. Freshman Anna Maziarka provides capable back-up along with junior Nicki Dewitt (.375, 4 RBI, 10 GP), who becomes available in early March after women's basketball ends.
In the outfield, senior Jackie Lloyd (.423, 9 RBI) earned All-TSAC first team and NCCAA All-Mideast Region first team and NCCAA All-America first team honors last season. Lloyd hit safely in 36 of 43 games in which she played and hit .474 during a 22 consecutive game streak.
Senior Hannah Moseley (.219, 11 RBI), a three-year starter, is among MCU's all-time leaders in games played, hits, runs scored and RBI. Blankenship is competing for an outfield starting position, along with Navarro, Hargrove and Underwood.
Trevecca Nazarene University Trojans
The Trevecca softball team enters the 2011 season with high expectations. Coach Ben Tyree's third Trojan team is a talented, experienced group that will be looking to build on last season's success, when the Trojans won the TranSouth regular season and tournament championships, and advanced to the final eight round of the 2010 NAIA Softball Championships. And apparently, the coaches around the country also think highly of Trevecca, ranking the Trojans No. 9 in the NAIA Preseason coach's poll, the third highest ranking in program history.
The Trojans lost one senior and one other starter from last year's team, but bring back seven other starters, including five players who were named to the 2010 All-TranSouth teams. A daunting schedule that includes seven teams either ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Preseason Top 25.
The senior class features four players who were all honored as part of the 2010 All-TranSouth teams. Monica West, who plays both catcher and third base, was named First Team All-TranSouth after a season in which she batted .345 with a conference-leading 16 home runs and a team-leading 47 RBI. Shortstop Kelsey Lantrip was named the 2010 TranSouth Newcomer of the Year as well as First Team All-TranSouth after batting .325 with 11 home runs, 41 RBI, a team-leading 52 runs scored, and a school-record 36 walks. Catcher Karli Rush was also named First Team All-TranSouth, batted .333 with 35 RBI. Melinda Patterson batted .321 last season and played stellar defense at first base.
The juniors are Lauren Baker and Riley Mashburn, who both return to anchor the pitching staff. Baker a first team All-TranSouth honoree, posting 21 wins, a 1.83 ERA, and 216 strikeouts in 199.1 innings pitched and hit .314 with seven home runs and 41 RBI. Mashburn, a 2009 All-TranSouth First Team selection, led the team with 23 wins, posted an ERA of 2.14, and struck out 172 batters in 205.2 innings.
New to the roster is infielder Kari Mason (East Robertson HS), who transferred from Columbia State CC.
Outfielder Breanna Zeis led the team in both hits (68) and batting average (.368), and added nine home runs and 42 RBI. Pitcher Hannah Schnebly transfers from Tennessee State and is expected to add some depth to the pitching staff.
Four freshmen - Ali Gaddis, Tori Hulan, Haylee Rogers, and Heather Shuler - join the Trojans.
Union University Lady Bulldogs
The Union University softball program is looking to build on a runner-up finish in the TranSouth Conference from last season, their highest regular season finish since 2006. Union head coach Heather Hall returns 11 players, including her entire pitching staff. Union adds six newcomers to the mix in hopes of winning a TranSouth title for the seventh time, and first since 2004.
Hall has just two seniors on the squad including Brittany Burkett and Amber Hayes. Hayes was an all-conference selection at first base last season, while Burkett has been a solid infielder at second and third base.
The junior class includes five players, four of which are returning. Ali Bozza, Katie Davis, Hailee Edwards and Carmesha Owens all return with starting experience. Toby Joy sat out last season after transferring in but will contribute as the lead-off hitter and in the pitching circle.
Five sophomores return after major contributions as freshman. Keaton Kirk and Brooke Thomas return as starting pitchers and everyday players who both earned all-conference honors last season. Stephanie Saunders, Sam Giesler and Britney Garner also return. Saunders and Giesler started as freshman.
The freshman class has five players that are beginning their college careers. Caroline George sat out last season with a medical red-shirt but will provide a solid arm in the pitching circle. CJ Browder, Katie Beth Fesmire, Shelby Lamb and Miranda Mullen each come in as young players that will be called on early and often to contribute to the success of the team.
Hall is now in her fourth season with Union. She is just three wins shy of reach 100 for her career (97-61, .614).
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San Diego, Calif. (12/10) - MMC softball Head Coach Brandie Paul was honored on Friday at the National Fastpitch Coaches Associate Easton Victory Club Luncheon for reaching her 400 win mark last season. Paul's 441-282 record has been compiled in her 13 years as a head coach, her first three spent at Jefferson Davis Community College before securing the head position at Martin Methodist in 2001.
Coach Paul was honored alongside 120 coaches from NAIA to NCAA Division I programs at the luncheon, with milestones ranging from the 100 win mark to 1,400 wins posted by Arizona head coach Mike Candrea. Her 400th win was captured in the first game of the 2010 season, as she earned the marker with a 10-1 win on the road over her alma mater Huntingdon College, on the field where she spent her collegiate career as an all-conference shortstop.
Since becoming head coach at MMC, Paul has guided the RedHawks to a 363-194 record during her tenure. She has led her teams to a TranSouth Regular Season Championship, TranSouth Conference Championship, and two NAIA national tournament appearances, in addition to being selected as TSAC Coach of the Year three times. Since January 30, 2008, Martin Methodist has been consistently ranked in the NAIA Top 25, all under the direction of Coach Paul.
In 13 seasons as a head coach, Paul boasts a .610 winning percentage, .634 at MMC alone. In the RedHawks' 17 seasons of softball, Paul is the most successful skipper, turning around a program that had appeared in the TSAC tournament just twice prior to her arrival.
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DECATUR, Ala. - No. 17 Trevecca (44-17) advanced to the
Championship Bracket (eight-team double-elimination tournament) for the
fourth time in the last five years. Trevecca's softball program has
reached the final eight team bracket in all four trips to the NAIA
Championships. Trevecca's first game in the Championship Bracket was a 3-1 loss to Shorter College on Monday (5/24) at 9 p.m. Trevecca was eliminated on Tuesday (5/25) 5-3 by No. 6 Belhaven (Miss.) College (54-9) at Noon.
Championship Bracket
Game One (5/24, 9:00 p.m.) | Shorter 3 Trevecca 1 | Box Game | Full Game Recap |
Game Two (5/25, 12:00 p.m.) | Belhaven 5 Trevecca 3 | Box Game | Full Game Recap |
Championship Bracket (double elimination) Bracket Schedule
Game One (5/24, 9:00 p.m.) | Shorter 3 Trevecca 1 | Box Game | Full Game Recap |
Game Two (5/25, 12:00 p.m.) | Belhaven 5 Trevecca 3 | Box Game | Full Game Recap |
Trevecca went 3-0 in Pool B to advance at the 30th Annual National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Softball National Championships. The tournament is being held May 20 - 26 Wilson Morgan Softball Complex in Decatur, Ala.
Thursday (5/20) Trevecca defeated SCAD 13-3 while rains pushed Friday's play to Saturday. When Pool Play resumed, Trevecca defeated Notre Dame College 3-2 on Saturday (5/22). Trevecca swept Pool B play with a 7-6 win over No. 2 Lee on Monday (5/24) afternoon. .
Pool Play Results
Game One (5/20, 9 a.m.) | Trevecca 13 SCAD 3 | Box Game | Full Game Recap |
Game Two (5/22, 3 p.m.) | Trevecca 3 Notre Dame (Ohio) 2 | Box Game | Full Game Recap |
Game Three (5/24, 4:30 p.m.) | Trevecca 7 Lee 6 | Box Game | Full Game Recap |
City Paper GM 1 Recap | City Paper GM 2 Recap | City Paper Preview | City Paper Feature |
City Paper Monday Recaps |
Decatur Daily Sports | Tennessean Preview |
WKRN NAIA Preview Story | WKRN Home Runs |
TSAC: TNU vs. CU on Fox 17 | TSAC: TNU vs. MCU on Fox 17 |
There eight pools were composed of four teams each. Pool play took place on four fields May 20 - 24, with the pool winners advancing to an eight-team double-elimination bracket that will be played out May 24 - 26. The 2010 champion will be crowned on May 26.
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Mashburn, a five-foot-six sophomore right-handed pitcher from Brentwood, Tenn., helped the No. 19 Trojans to an 4-1 week and the TranSouth Touranment Championship with a 3-0 performance at the 2010 Tournament. In the first game, a 1-0 win over Mid-Continent, Mashburn pitched a seven inning, seven strike out, two walk, and four-hit shutout. In game two, a 4-3 win over Union, Mashburn hurled another seven innings allowing five hits, three runs, and a walk while striking out another seven.
The tournament winner was a 5-4 10-inning win over Bethel University. Mashburn threw 199 pitches and struck out 12 while allowing seven hits, no earned runs, and nine walks. For the tournament Mashburn threw 24 innings allowing 16 hits, three earned runs, twelve walks, and had 26 strike outs. Her earned run average for the week was .88. Additionally, she helped herself with the bat in all three wins. Driving in the games only run in the 1-0 win over Mid-Continent.
West, a five-foot-nine junior catcher from Murfreesboro, Tenn., was the offensive star for the Trojans as they won the 2010 TranSouth Athletic Conference tournament. West had at least one hit in all but one of the Trojans five games and had a double, two home runs, six RBI, and three runs scored. West had a .412 batting average and .824 slugging percentage during tournament play. West was at the top or in the top 2 in nearly every offensive category. Most home runs, Slugging Percentage, Home Runs, Total Bases, Hits and also scored three runs and had the second most RBI.
For all the latest TranSouth softball news and information visit the official website of the TranSouth Athletic Conference at www.transouth.org
