20th Ranked Jaguar Softball Team Opens Season Tonight Versus #21 UAB
The University of South Alabama softball team will begin their 2014 season with their annual Mardi Gras Invitational to be held that the newly-renovated Jaguar Field beginning today and going through Sunday.
The #20 ranked Jaguars will host #21 ranked UAB to begin the tournament starting at 6pm today. They will then face Syracuse twice and well as McNeese State and Austin Peay through the weekend.
USA returns seven starters from the 2013 team which set records for the most wins and fewest losses with a 48-9 record. They also won their second consecutive Sun Belt Conference Tournament title and hosted their first-ever NCAA Regional.
Senior Hannah Campbell and junior Farish Beard return to the pitchers circle for the Jaguars. They combined for the nation’s third-best ERA at 1.43. Hannah was named first Jaguar to be named an All-American while Farish went a perfect 23-0 last season.
The Jags welcome six new student-athletes following the exit of graduating seniors Brittany Fowler, Britany Campbell, Meghan Collins and Jessica Dobson as well as filling the position left when Haley Fagan transfered to Auburn after last season.
Jaguar head coach Becky Clark enters her eighth season at USA and ninth overall with the university and has led the program from its inception to its first-ever preseason top-25 ranking.
South Alabama and UAB will get underway at 6pm this evening at Jaguar Field.
Go Jags!