SEASON PREVIEW: Experienced Eagles Looking to Make Strides in 2024 Season

The Eagles are back on the diamond Feb. 9 at the Bash in the Boro

STATESBORO – The Eagles are coming off of a 17-34 overall campaign and a 6-18 mark in the Sun Belt in 2023, but after year two in Statesboro, Georgia Southern Head Softball Coach Sharon Perkins and the Eagles are looking stronger and ready for the 2024 season.

The team saw improvements over the fall with the addition of newcomers and JUCO transfers. The Eagles return nine starters to the lineup and add eight newcomers for the 2024 season "I really think they came in and are buying into our system and culture," Perkins said of the newcomers. "I think the upperclassmen are doing a great job of continuing what we are trying to do to be successful."

Offensively, the Eagles return its top two hitters from last season in Emma Davis (5-3, So., Grayson, Ga.) and Faith Barth (5-5, Jr., Dacula, Ga.). Davis led the team with a .353 batting average, totaling 49 hits and 12 RBI. Barth followed with a .318 batting average recording 49 hits and 13 doubles.

In addition, Perkins added assistant coach Jake Sandlin to the staff with an emphasis on hitting to strengthen the offense. Sandlin comes from Glynn Academy in Brunswick, Ga. where he served as an assistant coach on the varsity baseball staff. He played collegiately at Georgia College before transferring to Southern Miss for his final season.

Defensively, the Eagles improved from the previous season, putting up a .963 fielding percentage compared to .958 in 2022. The Eagles will see a few shifts in positions in both the infield and outfield; however, the shifts should strengthen the field that seems to get better every year.

First and foremost, the pitching staff will see familiar faces with the addition of two new freshmen who will add depth to an experienced staff. The two additions of Anslie Pettit (5-5, Fr., Ball Ground, Ga.) and Dixiana Sims (5-11, Fr., Macon, Ga.) join Alana Barnard (5-10, So., Statesboro, Ga.), Bailey Holland (5-9, So., Vidalia, Ga.), Morgan Kendrick (5-6, R-So., Fleming Island, Fla.), and Kyleigh Richardson (5-9, 5th Year., Stafford, Va.) in the Eagles rotation.

"The cool thing is they are all really different." Perkins said, " I know when we first got here we had four arms that looked exactly the same and weren't really healthy. We are in a good position, I think they have come a long way and we are stronger and healthier than we have been the other two years."

Emma Davis will lead the outfielders shifting to centerfield and the corner outfield spots will see a combination of Kinley Stewart (5-8, Sr., Loganville, Ga.), Jess Mazur (5-10, Gr., Palatine, Ill.), Brooke Kell (5-6, So., Marietta, Ga.), juco transfer Gracie Bellard (5-4, Jr., Opelousas, La.), and newcomers Kyla Maxwell (5-9, Fr., Snellville, Ga.) and Makayla Brantley (5-7, Fr., Smyrna, Del.)

"I think we have a good combination of speed and bats in the outfield." Coach Perkins said, "We may be doing some platooning and seeing whose bat is hot. But, defensively I think we have come a long way."

The infield will see some shifting around this season with three returning starters and newcomers entering the lineup. Faith Barth and Delanie Thames (5-9, Fr., Statesboro, Ga.) will see action in the middle infield along with Emily Greek (6-2, Sr., Thomasville, Ga.). Courtney Ball (5-6, Sr., Macon, Ga.) will shift from second base to third base along with Kelsey Harper (5-2, Fr., Garfield, Ga.) who will see time at third along withKatie Perkins (5-6, Gr., Buford, Ga.) and Sam Vinson (5-6, 5th Year, Jefferson, Ga.) at first base.

Janai Conklin (5-3, 5th Year, Miami, Fla.) will see reps behind the plate along with Chloe Bean (5-7, Jr., Clinton, N.J.) and Dejah Mills, (5-5, R-Jr., Powder Springs, Ga.) who will likely land in the designated player spot.

Georgia Southern will compete in five tournaments before Sun Belt Conference play begins. The Eagles will host three tournaments at Beautiful Eagle Field: Bash in the Boro, GATA Challenge, and the newest addition, the Hail Southern Classic, which marks the first time the Eagles host three tournaments. Sandwiched between the home tournaments, the Eagles will hit the road for two tournaments at Florida for the Bubly Invitational and the USF Softball Tournament in Tampa.

"What I'm most excited about for the team is that the freshmen are scrappy and when we are in game play they are stepping up." Coach Perkins said, " It is really fun to watch, they are not there unsure and seem committed to the goal. They seem focused and dialed in and just playing ball."

"I am excited to open up at home." Coach Perkins said on the schedule, "It is tough to open a season on the road, especially a really top program like we did last season. I think it is important to face those teams and prepare your team for where we are trying to get to. It will be nice to start at home with hopefully some really nice weather. It is always fun to go down to an SEC school and that will be exciting, then we get to come back home and play, then head to USF, before returning home then starting our conference schedule."

The Eagles open the season hosting the Bash in the Boro Feb. 9-11 against UMass, Merrimack, and Radford at Beautiful Eagle Field.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Courtney Ball: INF; 5' 6"; Senior; R/R

#00 Alana Barnard: RHP; 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R

#44 Faith Barth: INF; 5' 5"; Junior; L/R

#20 Janai Conklin: C; 5' 3"; Fifth Year; R/R

#2 Emma Davis: OF; 5' 3"; Sophomore; L/L

#8 Bailey Holland: RHP; 5' 9"; Sophomore; L/R

#15 Brooke Kell: OF/INF; 5' 6"; Sophomore; L/R

#13 Morgan Kendrick: RHP; 5' 6"; Redshirt Sophomore; R/R

#4 Jess Mazur: OF; 5' 10"; Sixth Year; R/R

#42 Dejah Mills: OF; 5' 5"; Redshirt Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#1 Courtney Ball
: 5' 6"; Senior; R/R
: INF

#00 Alana Barnard
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R
: RHP

#44 Faith Barth
: 5' 5"; Junior; L/R
: INF

#20 Janai Conklin
: 5' 3"; Fifth Year; R/R
: C

#2 Emma Davis
: 5' 3"; Sophomore; L/L
: OF

#8 Bailey Holland
: 5' 9"; Sophomore; L/R
: RHP

#15 Brooke Kell
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; L/R
: OF/INF

#13 Morgan Kendrick
: 5' 6"; Redshirt Sophomore; R/R
: RHP

#4 Jess Mazur
: 5' 10"; Sixth Year; R/R
: OF

#42 Dejah Mills
: 5' 5"; Redshirt Junior; R/R
: OF

Georgia Southern University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned