March 2, 2007

Baton Rouge, LA - The Southern University softball season is off and running. But which way are they going.

Southern (3-7) has lost four games by one run. In each game they had runners in scoring positions in the final inning but were unable to bat them in.

"I told the ladies that in situations like that we have to find a way," said head coach Nancy Marshall said. "We can play with anybody on our schedule they just have to believe."

During a rare two week break, in the middle of the season, the Lady Jags have taken time to assess their first 10 games and look toward the remainder of the season.

"We have some injuries that we needed to take care of and this break is a big help," said coach Marshall.

Freshman Brittany Hymes leads the team in batting with 10 hits, two runs and a RBI for a .400 batting average. Junior Courtney Chappell is next on the list with a .379 batting average, which includes 11 hits, eight runs, four doubles and two RBI's. Senior Brittany Jefferson rounds out the top three hitters on the team with six hits, two doubles, a triple and six RBI's for a .353 batting average.

As a team the Blue and Gold is batting .252 but pitching is where the problem might be as they currently have a 6.40 era. Freshman Megan Hodge is currently the only winning pitcher on the team with a 3-1 record.

"We have a young pitching squad that includes a freshman, a sophomore and a junior," Marshall said. The only person with game experience from last year is Jennifer Hodrick. She was injured during the preseason so once we get her back to 100% we will have another weapon."

Next up for SU is a trip to Houston, Texas as they challenge the Lady Panthers of Prairie View A&M University in their first Southwestern Athletic Conference game. The contests are scheduled for Friday, March 9th at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 10th at 11:00 am and 1:00 p.m.