Softball Opens Season at Home Against Troy and Mercer
2/12/2009 10:13:00 PM | Softball
STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern softball team is slated to start its 2009 season at home with doubleheaders against Troy and Mercer. The Lady Eagles will face Troy Friday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Prior to the start of the first game against Troy, the Athletic Department is planning to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the latest additions to Eagle Field.
Georgia Southern went 37-30 a season ago and made its third straight appearance in the SoCon Tournament title game.
The Lady Eagles return seven starters from a year ago including SoCon Player of the Year and 2009 Preseason All-SoCon First Teamer Robyne Siliga (Oceanside, Calif.).
“Her track record says so much for her potential for this year,” said head coach Maggie Johnson. “It is amazing to watch her hit the ball, and she is playing great defensively right now. She doesn't get cheated at the plate and when she swings, she hits the ball hard.”
Joining Siliga on the Preseason All-SoCon First Team is Jenny Side (Loganville, Ga.), Nina Iduate (Norcross, Ga.), and Amanda Hall (Haddock, Ga.). Georgia Southern placed six on the first and second teams combined which was the most of any team in the SoCon.
The biggest challenge the Lady Eagles will face is replacing Melissa Laliberte. The Cobourg, Ontario native started 32 games last season and led the team with a 1.94 ERA.
Georgia Southern will have multiple options at pitcher, because they have five pitchers on this year's team.
“Junior Kristan Glover (Evans, Ga.) threw some innings last year after transferring from Tennessee Tech and has been working hard to get herself into the rotation,” said Johnson. Glover appeared in 18 games last season with a 2.50 ERA.
“Brianna Streetmon (Winder, Ga.) saw limited action last year, but was great through the fall. With some confidence and experience, she could be a dangerous pitcher. Kelly Burnett (Boynton Beach, Fla.) has been one of our most consistent performers so far. She has the ability and experience to step in and make an impact.”
Burnett appeared in 25 games for Palm Beach CC and recorded a 4.15 ERA last year.
“I told them that in the end it's all a matter of who gets the job done. We have five pitchers on the staff, and they all have the ability to get the job done,” said Johnson.
Georgia Southern faces Troy in a doubleheader at 1 p.m. on Friday and will face Mercer in a doubleheader on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Both Troy and Mercer opened their seasons last weekend.
Troy opened with a 1-0 loss to #20 Virginia Tech in the UT-Chattanooga Challenge. The Trojans, however, rebounded and won four straight to win the tournament including a 14-2 win over preseason SoCon favorite Chattanooga.
Ashlyn Williams is off to an outstanding start this season. Williams has started four games and boasts a 4-1 record.
Mercer faced off with Savannah State in a doubleheader Sunday and won both games by a combined score of 30-0.
The Bears are led by Georgia Southern graduate Mike Raynor, who is in his third season at the helm.
The Lady Eagles will also face Mercer next weekend in the Holiday Inn Eagle Classic.
This weekend's schedule is as follows:
Friday, February 13
12 pm
Locker rooms open for public viewing
1 pm
Ribbon cutting
Troy vs. GSU
3 pm
Troy vs GSU
Saturday, February 14
1 pm
Troy vs Mercer
3 pm
Troy vs Mercer
Sunday, February 15
1 pm
Mercer vs. GSU
3 pm
Mercer vs. GSU
