Softball | 2/23/2017 9:41:00 AM

ON THE DIAMOND
The Georgia Southern softball heads to ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex on the Walt Disney World property this weekend to participate in the Citrus Classic, presented by Diamond 9 Sports. Some of the top D-1 and D-2 teams along the east coast will be in action over the three-day span. GS will open with Elon on Friday at 11 a.m. on Field 13 and then will play Morgan State on Field 14 at 1:15 p.m. On Saturday, the Eagles will take on Ball State at 11 a.m. on Field 14 and will then play Lehigh on Field 15 at 3:30 p.m. Sunday's lone game will come at 11:45 a.m. against Fordham on Field 13.

FACILITY AND TICKET INFO
All games will be played at the Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Florida, on one of six fields. For directions to the facility, go here. For a map of the facility, which also includes parking, go here.

The tournament will require tickets for entry. Fans may purchase tickets by going to the Main Gate Box Office (where you see the big ESPN Globe). Prices are: $18 for adults and $13 for children ages 3-9. Fans may also purchase a three-day pass for the entire weekend for $54.

All seating is general admission. There is no assigned seating at the fields. There is no charge for parking, but there is an additional charge for valet and premier parking.

There is no tournament web site or broadcast scheduled for the weekend, but all five GS games will have live stats through here.

THE WEEKEND FORECAST
Here's the forecast for Kissimmee. Be sure to follow Georgia Southern softball on Twitter (@GSAthletics_SB) for any potential schedule changes this weekend due to the weather or other factors.

YEAR NO. 6
Georgia Southern head coach Annie Smith is in her sixth season at the helm of the Eagles. Her tenure in Statesboro has taken the Eagles to new heights with two SoCon Regular Season Championships and two SoCon Tournament Championships as well as overseeing the transition to the Sun Belt Conference in Smith's four previous seasons. During her tenure, Smith has advanced to the NCAA Tournament twice (2012 and 2013) as the Eagles have quickly made a name for themselves within the regional and national landscape.

Smith has an overall career record of 155-143. In 2014, she became the fastest coach in Georgia Southern history to reach 100 career wins when her team posted a 4-0 victory over Appalachian State on April 5.

Smith joined Georgia Southern with 16 years of experience as a collegiate assistant coach, serving at Missouri for six seasons before heading to Mississippi State for nine years, handling all aspects of the program. In 2006, Smith was promoted to associate head coach of the Bulldogs.

WHO'S BACK?
The Eagles return 16 players from last year's squad, including six of eight starters in the field, their DP and five pitchers who saw action. Offensively, five of Georgia Southern's top six regular hitters in terms of batting average from a year ago return: Lydia Witkowski (.324, 5 3B), India Davis (.313, 8 SB), Emily Snider (.297, 7 HR), Alesha Mann (.285, 8 HR, 10 SB) and Morgan Robinson (.282, 8 HR, 48 RBIs).

In the circle, GS returns the reigning Sun Belt Freshman of the Year in Dixie Raley, who won 22 games and struck out 182 batters in 202.0 innings pitched. Kiera Camp and Heather Felt also saw significant action in the circle and return in 2017.

THE NEWBIES
Georgia Southern welcomes five newcomers to the program this year. Here's a look at each of them and where they might fit in:
Abby Broome, a freshman cacther from Acworth, Georgia
Madison Cavendar, a freshman infielder/catcher from Gray, Georgia
Mekhia Freeman, a freshman outfielder/utility player from Senoia, Georgia
Meredith McLendon, a freshman infielder from Valdosta, Georgia
Shelby Wilson, a freshman infielder from Clyo, Georgia

SCOUTING BALL STATE
Ball State enters the Citrus Classic at 3-7 after playing in tournaments at Louisiana and Arizona to open the season up. Kennedy Wynn is leading the offense with a .474 average while Janae Hogg is hitting .357.

In the circle, Darcie Huber is 3-1 with a 3.61 ERA in 31.0 innings pitched to lead the way.

SCOUTING ELON
Elon is the opening opponent for the Eagles in Florida and the Phoenix will enter with a 7-2 record after run ruling Campbell Tuesday night. 

The Phoenix are hitting .328 as a team and stolen 11 bases in as many tries. Alaina Hall, Carey Million and Kara Shutt are all hitting .400 or better for an offense that has 14 doubles and two triples already.

In the circle, Kenna Quinn is 3-0 with a 1.36 ERA in 25.2 innings while Kiandra Mitchum is 3-1 with a 3.50 ERA in 24.0 innings. The staff as a whole, however, has given up 10 home runs in nine games.

SCOUTING FORDHAM
Fordham is off to a 7-3 start, including a win over No. 21 Baylor. The Rams have been to four straight NCAA Tournaments and are the preseason favorites to win the Atlantic 10 once again. Heading into the weekend, six Rams are batting over .300, including Madison Shaw who is hitting .464 and Jessica Hughes who is batting .391 with four home runs.

Lauren Quense is a perfect 6-0 with a sparkling 1.11 ERA and 29 strikeout in 38.0 innings pitcher. 

SCOUTING LEHIGH
Lehigh will be opening its 2017 season this weekend in the Sunshine State. Last season, the Mountain Hawks went 36-16 and had eight players hit .300 or higher at the plate. Five of those players return, including Katie Schulz, who hit .344 last season. 

Lehigh had a staff ERA of 2.38 last season and all three of the regular pitchers return. Christine Campbell went 20-9 with a 2.21 ERA, Emily Sorem went 15.7 with a 2.47 ERA and Vicky Lattanzio had a 2.95 ERA in 21.1 innings pitched.

SCOUTING MORGAN STATE
Morgan State out of the MEAC is off to a 4-2 start after beating Marist on Sunday. So far this season, the Bears also have two wins over Fairleigh Dickinson and a win over Chattanooga. 

Amy Begg has been the work-horse in the circle thus far, picking up an offense hitting less than .200 as a team. Begg is 4-0 with a 0.84 ERA in 23.2 innings pitched with 25 strikeouts.

UP NEXT
Next weekend, the Eagles return home to host the Eagle Classic, welcoming Delaware State, Eastern Kentucky, South Carolina State, Presbyterian College and Marshall to town.

RANDOM STATS AND NOTES
Career Games Started - by position (active)
Emily Snider: 174 total - 174 OF
Morgan Robinson: 170 total - 170 1B
Alesha Mann: 116 total - 77 SS; 32 2B; 7 DP
Hannah Farrell: 66 total - 66 3B 
Lydia Witkowski: 64 total - 61 OF; 3 INF
India Davis: 59 total - 58 2B; 1 SS
Michelle Mazur: 57 total - 42 3B; 9 OF; 3 DP; 2 2B; 1 C
Kierra Camp: 46 total - 46 P
Dixie Raley: 39 total - 39 P
Heather Felt: 16 total - 16 P
Macy Weeks: 27 total - 14 DP; 13 OF
Haley Carter: 19 total - 11 OF; 8 DP
Mekhia Freeman: 5 total - 3 DP; 1 OF; 1 2B
Abby Broome: 4 total - 4 C
Shelby Wilson: 4 total - 4 DP
Andrea McKenzie: 4 total - 4 C
Meredith McLendon: 3 total - 3 SS

EAGLES BY STATE (20)
Georgia: 17
Florida: 1
Illinois: 1
Tennessee: 1

EAGLES BY CLASS (20)
Seniors: 5
Juniors: 5
Sophomores: 5 (2 redshirt)
Freshmen: 5