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May 9, 2008
BRITTANY TILLERY AND SAM ST. HILAIRE GARNER DAKTRONICS AND NFCA ALL-REGION ACCOLADES
CLEVELAND – Delta State University junior outfielder Brittany Tillery and senior utility player Sam St. Hilaire have been named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-South Region Second Team, as released on Thursday by the NFCA. It’s the first NFCA honor for both players. Tillery was also named to the Daktronics All-South Region Second Team on Wednesday.
The duo guided the Lady Statesmen to a 33-26 overall finish and an 18-10 mark in Gulf South Conference play. DSU wrapped up its season last week at the GSC Tournament.
Tillery turned in one of the greatest singular performances in Lady Statesmen history this season. The junior of Starkville led DSU in batting (.450), hits (76), runs (51), home runs (9), RBIs (41) and stolen bases (27). Tillery’s .450 batting average led the GSC, while her 76 hits and 51 runs scored ranked in the top five in both categories.
St. Hilaire continued to shine in her dual role as a pitcher and designated player for the Lady Statesmen. The senior of Turner, Maine batted .331 with 10 doubles, one triple and 16 RBIs. She was also 8-6 in the circle with a 2.86 ERA in 23 appearances.
May 9, 2008
EIKNER AND NIEBRUGGE NAMED TO CoSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-REGION TEAM
CLEVELAND –Academic and athletics go hand-in-hand at Delta State University, and nowhere on campus is that demonstrated more clearly than University Field. The Lady Statesmen Softball program over the years has enjoyed tremendous success on the field and in the classroom. Thursday, that commitment to academics was rewarded again, as Brittany Eikner and Chasey Niebrugge were named to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-Region Team.
Eikner, a sophomore shortstop of Grenada, was named to the Academic All-Region First Team after completing the year with a 4.00 GPA in biology. The speedster played in 58 games for the Lady Statesmen this season and led DSU to a 33-26 overall record. Along the way, Eikner hit .291 with one home run and 20 RBIs. In 185 chances at shortstop, she committed only eight errors for a .957 fielding percentage.
Niebrugge, a senior second baseman of Bonita Springs, Fla., was named to the Academic All-Region Second Team. She finished second on the club this season with a .344 batting average, while maintaining a 3.84 GPA in elementary education. The two-time Academic All-Region selection led the Lady Statesmen with 19 doubles this season and drove in another 34.
All CoSIDA Academic All-Region First Team selections are now eligible for Academic All-American. The CoSIDA Academic All-America Team will be released later this month.
May 5, 2008
KUHN RESIGNS TO TAKE POSITION AT CENTRAL ARKANSAS; DELTA STATE BEGINS SEARCH FOR NEW HEAD COACH
By Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact, and Matt Jones
CLEVELAND - After 10 years, two Gulf South Conference West Division titles, 368 wins and a trip to the NCAA South Region Tournament, the David Kuhn chapter of Delta State University softball has come to a close.
After taking over a program that was headed in the right direction, posting four-straight winning records, Kuhn took the team to new heights.
The Greenville native and Delta State graduate continued a streak of 14-straight winning seasons, winning at least 35 games six times during his tenure. He coached 13 different players to National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region honors and one to an NFCA All-American selection.
During his tenure, Kuhn proved to be a man with foresight for the future and a desire to improve every aspect of the program. In his 10 years, Kuhn helped direct vast improvements to the field and the facilities at University Field. The Lady Statesmen enjoy a lighted complex with a fan-deck in rightfield, as well as a full-service locker room. With a career record of 368-221, Kuhn has the distinction of owning the most wins and losses of any head coach at DSU.
It is this success that landed the Kuhn family in Conway, Ark., on Tuesday, May 5, as Dr. Brad Teague, Director of Athletics at the University of Central Arkansas, announced Kuhn as the new head coach of the Sugar Bears.
“I would like to wish coach Kuhn, his wife Sharon, and their daughters, Taylor and Cheyenne, all the best at UCA. They have worked hard to make DSU softball the best it can be and they will truly be missed by the Delta State athletic community,” stated Jeremy McClain, Director of Athletics at Delta State.
Delta State will initiate a national search for a new head coach immediately. McClain concluded, “We will move quickly to find the next head coach of the Lady Statesmen, but we will also make sure we are finding the right person for the job. Delta State is a special place, with special people, and I know we’ll have a great level of interest.”May 3, 2008
LADY STATESMEN ELIMINATED FROM GSC TOURNAMENT WITH 6-2 LOSS TO LADY LIONS
By Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact
SOUTHAVEN - The Lady Statesmen were eliminated from the Gulf South Conference Tournament after a 6-2 loss to North Alabama on Saturday at Greenbrook Park. It was the second-straight loss for the Lady Statesmen at the tournament.
The Lions (25-18) struck first with two runs in the top of the first inning on a two-RBI single by Jennifer Sharp.
The Lady Statesmen (33-26) had a chance to answer in the bottom of the first with the bases loaded and one out, but UNA pitcher Sabrina Roberts worked out of the jam without a run crossing the plate.
North Alabama added two more in the top of the second when two runs scored on Lindsey Bates’ single to leftfield to give the Lions a 4-0 lead.
The Lady Statesmen got on the board in the bottom of the third when Brittany Tillery scored on Erica Harris’ sacrifice fly.
The Lions added two more on a two-run home run by Sharp to stretch the lead to five.
The Lady Statesmen pushed another run across in the bottom of the fifth as Tillery scored again, but couldn’t cut into the lead any more.
Edie Oliver (10-10) was charged with the loss, giving up six runs, five earned, on six hits in five innings.
Roberts (10-5) earned the win, allowing two runs, one earned, on nine hits in seven innings.
May 2, 2008
LADY BLAZERS RALLY FOR 7-6 WIN OVER LADY STATESMEN IN GSC TOURNAMENT OPENER; DSU FACES UNA ON SATURDAY
By: Travis Chamblee, DSU Softball Contact
SOUTHAVEN – The Delta State University Lady Statesmen Softball team had the favored Valdosta State Lady Blazers on the ropes for most of their Gulf South Conference first round game, but in the end, it was the Lady Blazers who were victorious and advanced to the winner’s bracket of the GSC Tournament with a 7-6 win over Delta State.
The Lady Statesmen (33-25) took advantage of two Lady Blazer errors in the top of the second, and Chasey Niebrugge hit a two-RBI double to give the Lady Statesmen a 4-0 lead.
Valdosta State (47-15) cut the lead in half in the bottom of the second when Andi Braswell’s RBI-double plated two runs. The Lady Blazers then tied the game at four in the bottom of the third with RBIs by Kristina Ely and Shannon Cleland.
Brittany Tillery (9) put the Lady Statesmen back on top with a blazing two-run home run over the leftfield fence in the top of the fourth inning.
The Lady Statesmen were just five outs away from advancing in the bottom of the sixth inning when the Lady Blazers’ bats caught fire. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for the Lady Blazers, and they took advantage of the situation quickly.
Britni Adcox got the second out of the inning as Audrey Massingill’s line-drive found the glove of Amber Hass in right field. Alex Acosta then drew an RBI-walk and Robin Williams hit, what proved to be the game-winner, a two-RBI single back up the middle to give the Lady Blazers a 7-6 lead.
Ashley Hill (15-4) earned the win in relief of starting pitcher Kristen Lindsey. Hill pitched 3.2 innings, giving up just one run on three hits.
Kate Moreland was charged with the loss, giving up three runs on three hits in 3.1 innings in relief. Starting pitcher Sam St. Hilaire allowed four runs on two hits and four walks in two innings.
The Lady Statesmen will face North Alabama in an elimination game Saturday, May 2, at 9:30 a.m. J.T. Webb will broadcast the game on the Lady Statesmen Sports Network starting at 9:20 a.m.
May 2, 2008
LADY STATESMEN PLACE SIX ON ALL-GSC FIRST OR SECOND TEAMS
By: Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact
BIRMINGHAM , ALA. - The Lady Statesmen of Delta State University placed six players on the Gulf South Conference’s All-GSC First or Second Teams, as released by the conference office. Second baseman Chasey Niebrugge, outfielder Brittany Tillery and pitcher/DH Sam St. Hilaire earned All-GSC First Team honors, while third baseman Chelsea Carr, pitcher/first baseman Britni Adcox and shortstop Brittany Eikner were named to the All-GSC Second Team after leading the Lady Statesmen to a 33-25 record during the regular season and the program’s 23 rd consecutive Gulf South Conference Tournament.
Tillery earned her second consecutive All-GSC First Team honor as an outfielder after leading the league in batting average (.438), and the team in home runs (9), RBIs (41), and she is 27-of-29 in stolen bases.
Niebrugge, also a two-time All-GSC First Team selection at second base, is second on the team in batting average (.352), and leads the GSC with 19 doubles. She is also second on the team with five home runs and 34 RBIs.
Sam St. Hilaire earned All-GSC First Team honors as an outfielder, making her the fifth player in Lady Statesmen history to earn All-GSC honors all four years. St. Hilaire hit .339 with 10 doubles and 16 RBIs, and had an 8-6 as a pitcher.
Third baseman Chelsea Carr and shortstop Brittany Eikner earned their first All-GSC nods. Carr hit .283 with 13 RBIs and had a .941 fielding percentage.
Eikner hit .293 with 20 RBIs and a team-high 18 sacrifice bunts, and had a .967 fielding percentage.
Adcox earned her third consecutive All-GSC honor as a pitcher, posting a record of 4-1 and a GSC-high eight saves. She also hit .304 with 20 runs scored and six RBIs.
April 29, 2008
LADY STATESMEN BEGIN QUEST FOR GSC CROWN
By Travis Chamblee
CLEVELAND - The Lady Statesmen begin their quest for the Gulf South Conference Championship Friday, May 2, against Valdosta State University in Southaven at 9:30 a.m.
The Lady Statesmen finished the regular season with a home sweep of division foe Ouachita Baptist to improve their record to 33-24. The Lady Statesmen earned the No. 3 seed out of the West Division with an 18-10 record against GSC opponent.
Delta State is just 6-8 against teams in the tournament, and the Lady Statesmen haven’t faced either No. 1 East seed Alabama-Huntsville or No. 2 East seed Valdosta State. West Florida and North Alabama earned the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds out of the East.
Arkansas Tech earned the West Division’s No. 1 seed after winning the school’s first-ever West Division Championship. Henderson State claimed the No. 2 seed and Arkansas-Monticello won the final spot.
The tournament will take place May 2-4 at the Greenbrook Softball Complex in Southaven. All games will be web-cast at www.gulfsouthconference.org, and J.T. Webb will bring the action to you on www.gostatesmen.com.
April 24, 2008
IT’S ALL GOOD WITH DELTA STATE’S LATEST SIGNEE
By Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact
CLEVELAND - Delta State head softball coach David Kuhn announced the signing of Wallace State standout Brooke Allgood.
As a freshman, Allgood hit .303 with seven doubles, a triple, and 20 RBIs, and had an on-base percentage of .480.
In the circle, Allgood had a record of 14-1 with 65 strikeouts in 84 innings pitched. She had a team-leading 0.92 ERA. She threw nine complete games and six shutouts.
Allgood attended Oak Grove High School in Birmingham, Ala., where she was named a three-time All-County Most Valuable Player. She also earned All-State honors and was the All-Star Tournament MVP.
“Brook (Allgood) is an outstanding athlete. She has a live arm with great control, and she can handle a bat very well,” said Kuhn. “She will help solidify our rotation and boost our offense.”
April 19, 2008
LADY STATESMEN SWEEP LADY TIGERS 3-0 AND 5-2 ON SENIOR DAY
By Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact
CLEVELAND - The Lady Statesmen sent their six seniors out in style, sweeping the Lady Tigers of Ouachita Baptist University (22-30, 9-16 Gulf South Conference) 3-0 and 5-2 in the final doubleheader of the regular season at University Field.
The Lady Statesmen (33-24, 18-10 GSC) got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning when Brittany Tillery scored on a wild throw to third base. Erica Harris then drove in Chasey Niebrugge with a double, giving Delta State a 2-0 lead.
The Lady Statesmen added another run in the bottom of the sixth when Sam St. Hilaire drove in Ashley Holder, who was pinch running for Chelsea Carr.
St. Hilaire (8-6) earned the win in her final home appearance, giving up just three hits in 6.1 innings. Britni Adcox earned the save, her seventh of the season and 15 th career, getting the last two outs.
Sara Hanson (4-8) was charged with the loss, allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits in six innings.
In the second game, the Lady Tigers struck first, scoring two runs in the top of the third inning on a two-RBI double by Sarah Bell.
The Lady Statesmen answered in the bottom of the third, and the Lady Tigers never led again. Adcox started the inning with a one out-double, and scored on Carr’s RBI-sacrifice bunt. Tillery then laced a double to the wall in centerfield, driving in St. Hilaire to tie the game at two.
Delta State took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when Erica Harris hit a two-out, two-RBI double to left-centerfield to give the Lady Statesmen a 4-2 lead.
The Lady Statesmen added another run in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI-double by St. Hilaire.
Kate Moreland (11-8) earned the win, giving up two runs on six hits in five innings. Adcox earned the save, pushing her career total to 16, four away from the NCAA Division II all-time save record, catching the last out herself.
Kristen Rigsbee (9-8) was charged with the loss, allowing five runs, three earned, on nine hits in six innings.
The Lady Statesmen begin the Gulf South Conference Tournament on May 1, in Southaven, Miss. Game time and opponent are still to be determined.
April 18, 2008
BRITTANY TILLERY NAMED GSC WEST DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK
BIRMINGHAM, ALA. - Delta State outfielder Brittany Tillery (Sr., 5-8, Starkville, Miss.) wins the West Division player of the week award. Tillery was the spark plug for DSU, helping her team to three wins at the GSC Crossover. The senior hit .417 (5-for-12) on the week, smashing two doubles while contributing four RBIs. She accounted for seven Delta State runs and even stole a base. Tillery got on base 42 percent of the time as DSU moved to 15-7 in league action.
April 18, 2008
LADY REDDIES SLIDE PAST LADY STATESMEN IN GSC SERIES
By Travis Chamblee
ARKADELPHIA, ARK.- Henderson State pitcher Lauren Carley kept the Lady Statesmen (31-24, 16-10 Gulf South Conference) off the scoreboard for 14 innings, as the Lady Reddies (36-13, 16-7) swiped two crucial Gulf South Conference games away from Delta State, winning the first 3-0 and the second 5-0.
In the first game, the Lady Reddies put the first run on the board in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI-single by Miracle Thurston.
In the bottom of the third inning, Thurston lined out to center field with runners on second and third. Erica Harris fired the ball to Chasey Niebrugge at second for the second out, and Niebrugge threw home to Kristi Basso who applied the tag for what would have been the third out of a triple play. Kelcie Gliddon was originally called out, and was ejected after shoving Basso, but after a conference by the umpires the call was reversed, giving the Lady Reddies a 2-0 lead.
Kayla Lucas hit a home run in the bottom of the fourth inning for the final run of the game.
Edie Oliver (10-9) was charged with the loss, giving up three runs on six hits in five innings.
In the second game, the Lady Reddies pushed two runs across in the bottom of the first inning, and Carley did the rest.
The Lady Statesmen had their best chance to score trailing 2-0 in the top of the third with the bases loaded and one out. Carley got the next batter to strikeout and Harris hit a ball deep to leftfield, but with the wind blowing in briskly, the ball fell into the glove of leftfielder Heather Canerday on the warning track for the third out of the inning to end the rally.
The Lady Reddies added another run in the bottom of the fifth, and Jennifer Lynn hit a two-RBI single in the bottom of the sixth to stretch the lead to 5-0.
Kate Moreland (10-8) was charged with the loss, allowing three runs on five hits in 3.2 innings.
Carley (20-5) earned two wins, giving up just eight hits in 14 total innings, with five strikeouts.
The Lady Statesmen will finish the regular season Saturday, April 19, as they celebrate “Senior Day” against Ouachita Baptist University at home. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
April 17, 2008
LADY STATESMEN AND LADY TIGERS SPLIT GSC TWIN BILL
By Travis Chamblee
ARKADELPHIA, ARK. - The Lady Statesmen (31-22, 16-8 Gulf South Conference) split a doubleheader with Ouachita Baptist University (21-29, 9-14 GSC), taking the first game 6-0 and dropping game two 1-0.
The Lady Statesmen combined on an 11-hit performance with a solid outing in the circle by Sam St. Hilaire to claim the victory.
Delta State got the bats hot early, plating three runs in the top of the first inning on an RBI-single by Courtney Clark, who later scored on a wild pitch, and Brittany Tillery stole home, to give the Lady Statesmen a 3-0 lead.
St. Hilaire pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the fourth to keep the Lady Tigers off the board, and Brittany Adcox quieted an OBU rally in the bottom of the sixth to earn her sixth save of the season.
The Lady Statesmen added three more runs in the top of the seventh to put the game out of reach. Chasey Niebrugge hit an RBI-double and scored on a wild pitch, and Erica Harris laced an RBI-triple down the rightfield line.
St. Hilaire (7-6) earned the win, allowing just two hits in five innings for the win, and Adcox gave up two hits over the last two innings for the save.
Beth McGhee (6-7) was charged with the loss, giving up three runs, two earned, on five hits in two innings.
In the second game, Kate Moreland pitched an outstanding game, but the lack of run support cost the Lady Statesmen. Moreland allowed just four hits over the first five innings, but a leadoff walk and an RBI-single in the sixth proved to be all Ouachita Baptist needed for the win.
Moreland (10-7) was charged with the loss, allowing one run on six hits in six innings.
Kristen Rigsbee (9-7) earned the win, scattering five hits over seven innings with four strikeouts.
The win earned the Lady Statesmen a spot in the Gulf South Conference Tournament in Southaven, Miss. May 1.
The Lady Statesmen will play Henderson State Thursday, April 17, in a GSC doubleheader scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.
April 16, 2008
LADY STATESMEN AND LADY RAMS SPLIT TWINBILL
CLEVELAND - The Lady Statesmen (30-21) split their doubleheader with the Lady Rams of Albany State University (30-20) Monday, dropping the first game 6-2 and then exploding at the plate to claim the second game 9-1.
The Lady Rams jumped on the Lady Statesmen in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead, and never trailed.
The Lady Statesmen cut the lead to one in the top of the second with an RBI-double by Amber Hass, but Albany State responded with two more runs in the bottom of the third.
Hass put the Lady Statesmen on the board again with a home run in the top of the fifth, but the Lady Rams came through with a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to put the game away.
Edie Oliver (10-7) took the loss, giving up six runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts in 5.2 innings.
Mindy Mager (15-9) earned the win for Albany State, allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings.
In the second game, the Lady Statesmen pushed three runs across in the top of the second with RBIs by Kristi Basso, Sam St. Hilaire and Chasey Niebrugge, and Kate Moreland kept the Lady Rams’ bats at bay to cruise to the victory.
The Lady Statesmen out-hit the Lady Rams 14-3 and took advantage of seven Albany State errors to keep the game out of reach.
The lone Lady Ram run came in the bottom of the sixth inning Deanna Birdsong hit an RBI-single.
Moreland (10-6) gave up just one run on three hits and a walk with five strikeouts in seven innings for the win.
Melissa Hurst (14-11) was charged with the loss, giving up nine runs, two earned, on 14 hits in seven innings.
The Lady Statesmen travel to Arkadelphia, Ark., Wednesday, April 16, to take on Ouachita Baptist in a Gulf South Conference doubleheader scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.
April 14, 2008
LADY STATESMEN SLAM LADY WOLVES 10-2
By Travis Chamblee
DECATUR, ALA. – The Lady Statesmen (29-20, 15-7 Gulf South Conference) moved into second place in the Gulf South Conference West Division with a solid team effort en route to a 10-2 victory over West Georgia (24-24, 5-12 GSC) in five innings Sunday at the GSC Crossover.
West Georgia took the lead in the top of the first inning with a two-run home run by Adrienne Clay. The Wolves got just two runners past second base the rest of the game.
The Lady Statesmen tied the game in the bottom of the first when Courtney Clark drove in Sam St. Hilaire and Chasey Niebrugge was able to score on an error.
Delta State took a commanding lead with a five-run second inning. A one-out, solo-home run by Amber Hass started the rally. The next five hitters reached base, and four scored on a pair of two-RBI base hits by Brittany Tillery and Brittany Eikner, to take a 7-2 lead.
The Lady Statesmen added two more runs in the bottom of the third on a two-RBI single by Tillery. After being held scoreless in the fourth, Delta State ended the game in the bottom of the fifth when Britni Adcox led off with a single. The speedster ran all the way to third on St. Hilaire’s sacrifice-bunt, and scored on a wide throw at third.
Kate Moreland (9-6) was in control all day, holding the Wolves to two runs on five hits with three strikeouts in five innings.
Heather Colson (12-11) was charged with the loss, allowing seven runs, three earned, on five hits and two walks in 1.1 innings.
Tillery finished the day 2-for-2 at the plate with a run scored and four RBIs, and made a spectacular catch, crashing through the temporary fence to rob Tia Williams of a home run in the bottom of the fourth.
Adcox was also perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two stolen bases.
The Lady Statesmen will travel to Albany, Ga., for a doubleheader against Albany State scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. J.T. Webb will broadcast the game live on www.gostatesmen.com.
April 12, 2008
LADY STATESMEN DOWN LADY TIGERS 2-1
By Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact
DECATUR, ALA. - Sam St. Hilaire gave up just three hits Saturday, leading the Lady Statesmen (28-20, 14-7 Gulf South Conference) to a 2-1 victory over West Alabama (22-24, 2-13 GSC).
The senior pitcher had a runner on base in every inning except the fifth, and gave up a home run to Ashley Edgar in the bottom of the third, but struck out five.
St. Hilaire (6-6) went all seven innings, and drove in the tying run in the top of the fifth inning, an RBI-single up the middle that scored Ashley Holder from second.
Courtney Clark drove in the winning run in the top of the sixth after Brittany Tillery led off with a double and advanced to third on a passed ball.
Aubree Hudson (4-3) was charged with the loss after coming into the game in relief of Emily White, who started the game and gave up one run on four hits with eight strikeouts in five innings. Hudson allowed one unearned run on one hit in one inning.
The Lady Statesmen will finish up play at the GSC Crossover Sunday, April 13, against West Georgia at noon.
April 11, 2008
DAY TWO OF GSC CROSSOVER RAINED OUT
DECATUR, ALA.- Due to inclement weather in and around the Decatur, Ala. area, Friday’s softball games at the Gulf South Conference Crossover have been cancelled.
The Lady Statesmen were scheduled to take on the Valdosta State Lady Blazers and the Chargers of Alabama-Huntsville.
Saturday’s games are set to proceed as scheduled. The Lady Statesmen will face the University of West Alabama at noon, and will face the University of Georgia Sunday, April 13, at noon. J.T. Webb and Travis Chamblee will broadcast the games live on www.gostatesmen.com.
April 10, 2008
LADY STATESMEN SPLIT DAY ONE DOUBLE-DIP AT GSC X-OVER
DECATUR, ALA. - The Lady Statesmen managed just one run on the first day of the Gulf South Conference Crossover, but that one run was enough to defeat North Alabama 1-0 after losing 11-0 to West Florida.
Edie Oliver (9-7) was in control from start to finish, scattering eight hits over seven innings to earn the win against North Alabama. Two of those hits were back-to-back singles with two outs in the bottom of the seventh before the final out was recorded.
Britni Adcox scored the run for the Lady Statesmen in the top of the third inning, coming in from third base when Sam St. Hilaire stole second and the throw got into the outfield.
Megan Niesel (11-6) was charged with the loss, allowing one run on seven hits in seven innings.
In game one, West Florida blasted 11 hits, including two home runs, and pitcher Taren Walton recorded 11 of the 15 outs by strikeout. The Lady Statesmen managed just one hit by Erica Harris in the losing effort.
Walton (10-5) didn’t walk any and hit just one batter, allowing just the two harmless base runners.
Kate Moreland (8-6) took the loss, and Jackie Stowe and Amber Hass wrapped up the game in the circle after the game was out of hand to save the pitchers’ arms for the rest of the crossover.
The Lady Statesmen will take on Alabama-Huntsville Friday, April 11 at 2:00 p.m. and Valdosta State at 6:00 p.m. as the crossover continues.
April 8, 2008
DEVILETTES SLIDE PAST LADY STATESMEN 4-3
By Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact
ITTA BENA - The Lady Statesmen had the four-time defending Southwest Athletic Conference Champions on the ropes, but Mississippi Valley State University pulled it out on the last play of the game to swipe the 4-3 victory.
Starting pitcher Edie Oliver left with a 3-1 lead and two outs in the third inning, but a wild pitch and two errors on the next pitch allowed two runs to come across for MVSU to tie the game.
After the lone mistake, Kate Moreland baffled the Valley hitters for the next three innings, allowing just three hits. It was the fourth hit that was the crucial one. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Erica Hardin hit a game-winning RBI-single to leftfield. Traci Roper dove over Courtney Clark and just got a piece of the plate before Clark could apply the tag.
MVSU started the scoring in the bottom of the second with an RBI-single by Christle Middleton, scoring Aisha Ledet, to take a 1-0 lead.
The Lady Statesmen answered with two runs in the top of the third when Chasey Niebrugge drove in Brittany Tillery with an RBI-double, and scored on Clark’s RBI-single.
They added another run in the top of the fourth when MVSU tried to throw out Britni Adcox at second base on a stolen base attempt with Sam St. Hilaire, but the throw was cut off and Adcox was caught in a run down. St. Hilaire bolted home and beat the throw, and Adcox got to second safely, but the 3-1 lead didn’t hold out.
MVSU had opportunities to put more runs on the board, but Tillery gunned down runners at home from centerfield twice to keep the Lady Statesmen in the game.
Kate Moreland (8-5) was charged with the loss, allowing one run on four hits in three innings with three strikeouts.
Brittany Franklin (9-6) earned the win, giving up three runs on five hits in seven innings.
The Lady Statesmen will be in action again Thursday, April 10, as they travel to Decatur, Ala., for the Gulf South Conference Crossover.
April 5, 2008
DELTA STATE AND SOUTHERN ARKANSAS SPLIT SATURDAY TWINBILL
By Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact
CLEVELAND - The Lady Statesmen (26-18, 12-6 Gulf South Conference) split a doubleheader with Southern Arkansas (7-21, 2-14 GSC) Saturday, dropping game one 5-1 and taking game two 8-3.
Southern Arkansas took advantage of defensive mistakes by the Lady Statesmen, and Cheyenne Savony allowed just four hits to claim the victory in game one.
Brittany Eikner scored the Lady Statesmen’s lone run on a wild pitch after hitting a two-out double.
Sam St. Hilaire (5-6) was charged with the loss, giving up three runs on six hits in 2.1 innings.
Savony (4-8) pitched all seven innings, allowing one run on four hits and three walks.
In game two, the Lady Statesmen bats erupted, blasting 12 hits for eight runs including a double by Chasey Niebrugge and a triple by Brittany Tillery. The Lady Statesmen pushed across five runs in the last two innings to put the game out of reach.
Southern Arkansas scored all three runs by way of the long ball, a solo-home run by Kirstie Reed and a two-run blast by Savony.
Niebrugge led the Lady Statesmen’s offensive charge, going 2-for-3 at the plate with three RBIs.
Kate Moreland (7-4) earned the win, giving up three runs on four hits in 5.1 innings. Britni Adcox earned her fifth save of the season, allowing just one hit in 1.2 innings.
Alex Doyle (3-7) took the loss, allowing three runs on five hits in 1.2 innings.
April 4, 2008
BELHAVEN TOPS DELTA STATE 8-7
CLEVELAND - After trailing 7-1 after four and a half innings, the Lady Statesmen battled back to cut the lead to one, 8-7, but couldn’t get the hit they needed at the end, falling to Belhaven College 8-7.
Belhaven (20-17) got on the board first in the top of the third inning with a home run by Lauren Biediger and an RBI-single.
The Lady Statesmen (25-17) got one back in the bottom of the third on an RBI-double by Chasey Niebrugge.
The Blazers exploded for five runs in the top of the fourth, highlighted by a three-run home run by Tiffany Ansley.
The Lady Statesmen put two across in the bottom of the fourth to cut the lead to 7-3 on a pair of RBIs by Sam St. Hilaire and Brittany Eikner, but the Blazers put what proved to be the winning run across in the top of the fifth on an RBI-single by Biediger.
The Lady Statesmen got two in the bottom of the fifth as Amber Hass scored on a passed ball, and Brittany Tillery scored on Niebrugge’s RBI-double.
Delta State had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh, but Sam St. Hilaire was stranded at third as Hass’ long, fly ball found its way into the glove of Belhaven centerfielder Britney Webb.
St. Hilaire (5-5) was charged with the loss, giving up two runs on five hits in 2.1 innings with two strikeouts.
Sarah Burns (13-7) earned the win for Belhaven, allowing seven runs, five earned, on 10 hits in 5.1 innings. Mallory Meadows earned her first save of the year, giving up just two hits over the final 1.2 innings.
The Lady Statesmen will host Southern Arkansas Saturday, April 5, in a Gulf South Conference doubleheader scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. During the doubleheader, the Lady Statesmen will help strikeout cancer as they participate in the K’s for Cancer Campaign.
April 2, 2008
LADY STATESMEN CORRAL LADY MULERIDERS
MAGNOLIA, ARK. - The Lady Statesmen out-lasted Southern Arkansas University to claim a 5-3 victory and then held off a late charge by the Muleriders to win 7-4 and sweep the doubleheader in Magnolia, Ark. Wednesday night.
Southern Arkansas (6-18, 1-11 Gulf South Conference) jumped out to a two-run lead in the bottom of the first on a solo-home run and Cheyenne Savony came in to score on Alex Doyle’s RBI-ground out.
The Lady Statesmen (25-16, 11-5 GSC) answered in the top of the fourth, tying the game on a solo-home run by Brittany Tillery and an RBI-single by Brittany Eikner.
The game stayed tied until the ninth, but the Muleriders had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the eighth. Britni Adcox came in to pitch with a runner on second. She walked the first batter she faced, and the runners moved to second and third on a wild pitch with no outs. Adcox retired the next three batters to keep the Lady Statesmen in the ballgame.
The Lady Statesmen offense answered her charge with three runs in the top of the ninth, highlighted with a two-RBI double by Erica Harris.
The Muleriders could only manage one in the bottom of the ninth as the Lady Statesmen took the victory.
Adcox (4-1) got the win for the Lady Statesmen, allowing one run on one hit in two innings of relief. Sam St. Hilaire started the game, giving up two runs, one earned, on three hits in seven innings.
Savony (3-7) took the loss for the Muleriders, giving up five runs on 11 hits in nine innings.
In the second game, the Lady Statesmen struck first, as Tillery scored on Chasey Niebrugge’s RBI-ground out in the top of the first inning. Delta State added another run in the top of the third as Tillery again came around to score, this time on an RBI by Courtney Clark.
The Lady Statesmen blew the game open in the top of the fifth, stretching the lead to 6-0. Niebrugge’s two-run home run started the four run inning.
The Muleriders got three back in the bottom of the fifth and scored another in the bottom of the sixth, after the Lady Statesmen put one on the board in the top of the sixth, but Adcox again shut the door on the Muleriders, getting the last five outs to give the Lady Statesmen a 7-4 win and the sweep.
Adcox earned her fourth save of the season, giving up just one hit in 1.2 innings of relief. Edie Oliver (9-7) earned the win after giving up four runs on seven hits in 3.1 innings after coming into the game for starting pitcher Kate Moreland.
Alex Doyle (3-6) was charged with the loss, allowing six runs, four earned, on eight hits in five innings.
Tillery and Niebrugge each finished the series 5-of-8 at the plate, and each had a double, a home run and two stolen bases. The duo combined for six of the Lady Statesmen’s 12 runs scored and four RBIs.
The Lady Statesmen will be at home Thursday, April 3, as they host Belhaven for a one-game showdown scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m.
April 2, 2008
KATE MORELAND EARNS GSC WEST PITCHER OF THE WEEK
BIRMINGHAM , ALA. - Delta State pitcher Kate Moreland , a sophomore from Starkville, won her first Gulf South Conference Pitcher of the Week award after going 3-0 in four starts. In a 6-2 week for the Lady Statemen, Moreland picked up 50 percent of the wins.
The sophomore threw 23.2 innings and had an earned run averaged of 2.66. In an 8-0 win over division frontrunner Henderson State, she tossed six shutout innings and punched out six Lady Reddies. She had 22 strikeouts on the week.
Moreland is 7-4 on the season with a 3.20 ERA. In 76.2 innings, she has 53 strikeouts, and opponents are hitting just .278 against her.
April 1, 2008
DELTA STATE BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL POSTPONED DUE TO TUESDAY RAINS
CLEVELAND – Delta State University baseball and softball have been postponed due to Tuesday’s rain. The Statesmen were scheduled to play Belhaven in Jackson, while the Lady Statesmen were set to travel to Magnolia, Ark., for a doubleheader with Southern Arkansas University. The Lady Statesmen will face the Lady Muleriders Wednesday at 5 p.m. The Belhaven game at Smith-Wills Stadium has been rescheduled for April 23 at 6 p.m.
March 30, 2008
LADY STATESMEN AND COTTOM BLOSSOMS SPLIT GSC DOUBLEHEADER
MONTICELLO, ARK. - After losing to the University of Arkansas-Monticello (12-18, 5-3) 2-1, the Lady Statesmen (23-16, 8-5) battled through the rain to come from behind and take game two 4-2.
The first game was a pitcher’s duel, with neither team getting a hit until the fourth inning when Chasey Niebrugge broke the ice with a one out double in the top of the fourth but was left stranded.
The Cotton Blossoms took advantage of Gemma Gibson getting hit by a pitch, scoring the first run of the game on an RBI-double by Lindsey Randall to give UAM a 1-0 lead.
The Cotton Blossoms added another in the fifth inning on Gibson’s RBI-single.
The Lady Statesmen scored in the top of the seventh with an RBI-single by Sam St. Hilaire, and threatened to tie the game, but left the bases loaded.
Edie Oliver (8-7) was charged with the loss, giving up two runs on four hits in six innings.
Becca Sustaire (6-9) earned the win for the Cotton Blossoms after holding the Lady Statesmen to just five hits and one unearned run in seven innings.
In the second game, Arkansas-Monticello took an early two-run lead with a two-run home run off the bat of Meredith Heckel in the bottom of the third inning.
Kate Brady kept the Lady Statesmen scoreless through the first four innings until Brittany Tillery hit a game-tying two-run home run (7). The Lady Statesmen added two more in the sixth on an RBI-squeeze bunt by Amber Hass, scoring Courtney Clark from third, and an RBI-single by Brittany Eikner, scoring Paige Silverthorn, to take a 4-2 lead which was enough for the win.
Britni Adcox (3-1) earned the win, giving up just three hits in 3.1 innings of relief of starter Kate Moreland.
Brady (6-6) was charged with the loss, giving up four runs, one earned, on seven hits in seven innings.
The Lady Statesmen will be in action again Tuesday, April 1, as they travel to Southern Arkansas for a doubleheader scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m.
March 29, 2008
LADY STATESMEN PULL SHADES ON GOLDEN SUNS
By Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact
CLEVELAND - The Lady Statesmen swept Arkansas Tech at University Field Saturday, blasting the Golden Suns 11-3 in five innings and escaping in the second game with a 5-4 victory, to remain undefeated all-time at home against Arkansas Tech.
The Golden Suns (27-9, 9-3 Gulf South Conference) struck first, scoring a run in the top of the first, but the Lady Statesmen (22-15, 8-4 GSC) answered with two in the bottom of the second, and the route was on. Erica Harris hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the second to stretch the lead to three.
The Lady Statesmen put the game out of reach in the bottom of the fourth inning when the Lady Statesmen came through for six two-out RBIs to push the score to 10-1, including a grand slam by Courtney Clark.
The Golden Suns scored two in the top of the fifth inning, but Brittany Tillery drove in Brittany Eikner to end the game early in the bottom of the fifth.
Edie Oliver (8-6) earned the win, giving up two runs on six hits in 3.2 innings of relief.
Dana Aldrich (12-5) took the loss, giving up nine runs on nine hits in 3.2 innings of work.
In the second game, the Golden Suns again struck first, putting two on the board in the top of the first inning, but the Lady Statesmen again had an answer, plating three runs in the bottom half of the inning.
Arkansas Tech tied the game in the top of the second, but Tillery’s RBI-single in the bottom half again gave the Lady Statesmen a one-run lead, 4-3.
The lead remained until the Golden Suns hit a home run in the top of the seventh to tie the game, but the Lady Statesmen answered the call again.
With one out and Sam St. Hilaire charging home from third base, Chasey Niebrugge put down a suicide squeeze, allowing St. Hilaire to score the game-winning run.
Kate Moreland (8-4) earned the win, giving up four runs on 10 hits with seven strikeouts in seven innings.
Casey Hammons (12-4) took the loss, giving up five runs, four earned, on nine hits in 6.1 innings.
The Lady Statesmen travel to Monticello, Ark. to take on the Cotton Blossoms of the University of Arkansas-Monticello in a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.
March 27, 2008
LADY STATESMEN STIFLE MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS 2-0 AND 4-3
CLEVELAND - The Lady Statesmen (20-15) swept the University of Missouri-St. Louis (8-12) at University Field Wednesday, winning the first 2-0 and coming from behind in the second game to claim a 4-3 victory.
Edie Oliver and Britni Adcox teamed up to baffle the Triton hitters, pitching a combined seven inning shutout.
Oliver (7-6) started the game and allowed just four hits while striking out three batters in 5.1 innings, and Adcox earned her third save of the season, giving up only two walks over the final 1.2 innings.
Paige Silverthorn provided the offense for the Lady Statesmen, driving in Brittany Tillery twice with a sacrifice bunt in bottom of the fourth and an RBI-single in the bottom of the sixth.
Allyson DeFosset (5-8) gave up two runs, one earned, on three hits in six innings.
In the second game, Missouri-St. Louis jumped out to a three-run lead after the top of the third as Ja Cee Ellis scored in the top of the second and then hit a two-RBI single in the top of the third.
The Lady Statesmen answered in the bottom of the third with a three-run home run off the bat of Brittany Tillery (6), and Brittany Eikner drove in Amber Hass in the bottom of the fourth for what proved to be the game-winning run.
Kate Moreland (6-4) earned the win, allowing three runs on 10 hits with eight strikeouts in seven innings.
Crystal Koehler (2-3) was charged with the loss after giving up one run on three hits in three innings.
The Lady Statesmen will host Arkansas Tech Saturday, March 29, in a Gulf South Conference doubleheader scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m.
March 26, 2008
LADY STATESMEN AND REDDIES SPLIT GSC TWIN BILL AT UNIVERSITY FIELD
By Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact
CLEVELAND- The Lady Statesmen (18-15, 6-4 Gulf South Conference) split a doubleheader with Henderson State (26-8, 6-2 GSC) Tuesday at University Field, losing 10-5 and winning 8-0 in six innings.
The Lady Reddies jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning, highlighted by a leadoff home run by Kelcie Gliddon.
The Lady Statesmen got one back in the bottom of the inning when Brittany Tillery drove in Chasey Niebrugge, but Henderson State answered in the top of the third, stretching the lead back to three.
The Lady Statesmen tied the game at four in the bottom of the fifth on a three-RBI single by Paige Silverthorn, but again, Henderson State had an answer.
Kayla Lucas’ two-run home run in the top of the sixth gave the Lady Reddies a two-run lead they wouldn’t let go.
The Lady Statesmen scored one in the bottom of the sixth, but the Lady Reddies plated four in the top of the seventh to put the game away.
Lauren Carley (14-3) earned the win for Henderson State, giving up four runs on three hits in 4.2 innings. Patti Collins earned her first save of the year, giving up one run in 2.1 innings.
Sam St. Hilaire (5-4) took the loss, giving up six runs on six hits in 5.1 innings with four strikeouts.
In the nightcap, Kate Moreland pitched a six-inning shutout, allowing just three hits, and Courtney Clark’s three-run home run in the bottom of the third inning led the offensive charge as the Lady Statesmen rolled to an 8-0 victory.
Moreland (5-4) struck out six hitters and walked two, allowing just five batters to reach base in six innings.
Collins (6-3) took the loss, giving up five runs on six hits in 2.1 innings before being chased from the circle.
The Lady Statesmen will be in action at home Wednesday, March 26 as they host Missouri-St. Louis in a doubleheader scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m.
March 19, 2008
DELTA STATE COLLEGIATE SOFTBALL CLASSIC CANCELLED
CLEVELAND – Severe weather in and around Cleveland on Wednesday forced the cancellation of the Delta State Collegiate Softball Classic at University Field. No make-up dates are planned at this time.
March 16, 2008
LADY STATESMEN AND COTTON BLOSSOMS SPLIT GSC DOUBLE DIP AT UNIVERSITY FIELD 2-5 AND 7-5
By Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact
CLEVELAND - The Lady Statesmen (17-15, 5-3 Gulf South Conference) split a double-header with the Cotton Blossoms of Arkansas-Monticello (7-15, 1-1 GSC) Sunday at University Field.
After dropping the first game 5-2 in eight innings, the Lady Statesmen bounced back to take the second game 7-5.
UAM took a two-run lead in the top of the fourth in game one on a two-run blast over the left centerfield fence off the bat of Kate Brady.
The Lady Statesmen cut the lead to one in the bottom of the fourth when Brittany Tillery scored on a throwing error on Paige Silverthorn’s fielder’s choice. The Lady Statesmen then tied the game in the bottom of the sixth when Silverthorn scored on Brittany Eikner’s sacrifice bunt, but failed to get any more.
The Cotton Blossoms won the game in the top of the eighth with back-to-back-to-back two-out home runs.
Edie Oliver (6-6) was charged with the loss, giving up four runs on eight hits with 10 strikeouts in 7.2 innings.
Becca Sustaire (4-7) earned the win, allowing two runs on eight hits in eight innings.
In the second game, the Cotton Blossoms jumped out to a three-run lead in the top of the first, but the Lady Statesmen got two back in the bottom half on a two-RBI double by Silverthorn.
The Cotton Blossoms added one in the top of the second on an RBI-double by Lindsay Randall, but the Lady Statesmen answered with four in the bottom of the third with a sacrifice fly by Silverthorn and an RBI-double by Amber Hass. Tillery scored when Gemma Gibson’s throw to third in an attempt to get her out sailed wide of the base, and Hass scored on Kristi Basso’s fielder’s choice to give the Lady Statesmen a 6-4 lead they would not relinquish.
Each team added a run in the fifth inning, but pitcher Kate Moreland never let the Cotton Blossoms sniff the lead again.
Moreland (4-4) earned the win, allowing just one run on three hits in five innings of relief.
Kate Brady (3-5) took the loss, giving up six runs, five earned, on seven hits in 2.1 innings of work.
The Lady Statesmen will be in action again Wednesday, March 19, as they host Oklahoma City and Mississippi Valley State in the DSU Classic. The first game of the tournament will feature the Lady Statesmen and MVSU at 2:00 p.m.
March 11, 2008
Edie Oliver named GSC West Division Pitcher of the Week for the first time this season
By Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact
BIRMINGHAM, ALA. - Sophomore pitcher Edie Oliver was named the Gulf South Conference Pitcher of the Week for the period ending March 10.
The southpaw hurled 18.1 innings over four games, allowing just two runs on 11 hits. The Eupora native struck out nine batters, and pitched two complete game wins against Christian Brothers University on March 6. She allowed just one run during the two-game affair.
Oliver’s week improved her record to 5-4. The award is her first of the season and the first by a Lady Statesmen pitcher.
March 11, 2008
Golden Suns sweep Lady Statesmen for first time ever 2-3, 1-10 in Russellville, Ark.
By Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact
CLEVELAND - The Lady Statesmen were swept for the first time ever by Arkansas Tech in a Gulf South Conference double-header Tuesday, 3-2 and 10-1 in five innings.
In the first game, Dana Aldrich held the Lady Statesmen (14-13, 2-2 GSC) scoreless through the first six innings, and the Golden Suns (17-5, 2-0 GSC) got two runs off of DSU starter Sam St. Hilaire.
The Lady Statesmen tied the game in the top of the seventh inning on RBIs from Brittany Eikner and Erica Harris, but it wasn’t enough. In the bottom of the seventh, Quinn Culver singled, and Roxanna Palacios beat the throw from leftfield to claim the 3-2 victory.
St. Hilaire (5-3) took the loss, giving up three runs on ten hits in 6.2 innings, while Aldrich improved to 8-3, giving up two runs on six hits in seven innings.
In the second game, the Golden Suns made sure that the game wouldn’t come down to the wire, scoring seven runs in the first three innings.
The Lady Statesmen struck first with an RBI-single off the bat of St. Hilaire, but that was all the offense they could produce.
The Golden Suns added three more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to end the game early.
Casey Hammons (8-2) gave up just four hits in the five-inning game, allowing just the one run and striking out six.
Edie Oliver (5-5) was charged with the loss, giving up three runs, two earned, on seven hits in two innings of work.
The Lady Statesmen will be on the road again Thursday, March 13 as they play Christian Brothers in Memphis.
March 8, 2008
SUNDAY'S GAME WITH CHRISTIAN BROTHERS POSTPONED; SERIES AT ARKANSAS TECH IN JEOPARDY
CLEVELAND - Sunday's series at Christian Brothers has been cancelled due to winter weather in the Memphis area. The series at Arkansas Tech on Monday is also in question due to similar circumstances. More information will be made available as it is released.
March 6, 2008
Lady Statesmen sweep Lady Bucs 5-1, 8-0
By Travis Chamblee
CLEVELAND - The Delta State University softball team swept Christian Brothers in the first Gulf South Conference double-header of the season.
The Lady Statesmen (14-11, 2-0 GSC) struck first in the bottom of the first inning, tagging Nikki Dunn for two runs on two hits, a solo-home run down the left field line by Chasey Niebrugge and an RBI-single off the bat of Sam St. Hilaire.
The Lady Bucs (9-6, 0-2 GSC) threatened in their half of the first, getting runners to first and second with no outs, but Oliver settled down and retired the next three batters in order to end the threat.
Kathleen Nelson cut the lead in half for the Lady Bucs when she sent the 0-2 pitch over the leftfield wall with two outs in the top of the third inning, trimming the Lady Statesmen lead to 2-1.
Two throwing errors by the Lady Bucs gave the Lady Statesmen the run back in the bottom of the third inning. Niebrugge came around to score when Chelsea Carr’s sacrifice bunt was thrown into right field, and Delta State again led by two, 3-1.
The Lady Statesmen added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. After leading off with a single, Niebrugge stole second and advanced to third on Carr’s sacrifice bunt. Courtney Clark’s squeeze bunt stopped a few feet short of the pitching circle, and Niebrugge beat the throw to the plate. Clark then stole second and scored on St. Hilaire’s RBI-double to give the Lady Statesmen a 5-1 lead they would never relinquish.
Dunn (5-3) was charged with the loss, giving up five runs, four earned, on five hits with five strikeouts in six innings.
In game two of the double-header, the Lady Statesmen picked up where they left off in game one, playing small-ball to perfection to plate two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Niebrugge led off with a walk, stole second, advanced to third on Carr’s sacrifice bunt and scored on a squeeze bunt by Clark.
Brittany Tillery laced a two-out double down the third base line and then moved to third on a passed ball. St. Hilaire walked and kept running to second. With the confusion in the infield, Tillery stole home to give the Lady Statesmen a 2-0 lead after one inning.
The Lady Statesmen added another run in the bottom of the fourth when Brittany Eikner roped a two-out double down the leftfield line and scored on Amber Hass’ RBI-single to right-center to take a 3-0 lead.
The Lady Statesmen had a huge offensive surge in the bottom of the sixth inning, plating five runs to end the game early.
Oliver was just as solid in the circle as she was in game one, throwing a combined 13 innings, allowing just one run on seven hits with five strikeouts, earning two wins to improve her record to 5-4.
Kallie McFatter took the loss, giving up eight runs, five earned, on five hits in 5.2 innings of work.
The Lady Statesmen and the Lady Bucs will face off again in Memphis, Tenn., Sunday, March 9, at 1:00 p.m.
March 5, 2008
LADY STATESMEN FALL TO LADY MOCS 0-6, 1-5
By Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact
CLEVELAND - The Lady Statesmen (12-10) dropped two games to previously-fourth ranked Florida Southern (10-3) at University Field, Thursday, 6-0 and 5-1.
In game one, the Lady Statesmen couldn’t get a handle on Brittany Minton, managing just two hits off of her in six innings. Minton (6-1) struck out seven and didn’t give up a walk, earning the victory.
Florida Southern chased Sam St. Hilaire in the third inning, knocking three straight hits including a solo-home run to take a three-run lead. They added another run in the fourth and two in the sixth to take the 6-0 victory.
St. Hilaire took the loss, pitching 2.2 innings. The senior gave up three runs on five hits.
In the second game, the Lady Statesmen had eight runners reach base, seven with hits, but couldn’t get the timely hit they needed to push runs across. They got there lone run in the third inning when Brittani Adcox scored on Brittany Tillery’s RBI-single, but by that time Florida Southern had already scored five runs.
Kate Moreland (3-4) was charged with the loss, pitching 2.2 innings. The sophomore allowed four runs on five hits.
Heidi Schumacher (4-1) earned the win, pitching all seven innings. She allowed one run on seven hits and struck out eight.
The Lady Statesmen will host Christian Brothers Thursday, March 6 in the first Gulf South Conference series of the season.
February 28, 2008
LADY STATESMEN SWEEP LSU-A 13-0 AND 3-2
CLEVELAND - The Lady Statesmen (12-9) blasted LSU-Alexandria (3-9) 13-0 in five innings and battled from behind to take a 3-2 victory, sweeping the Lady Generals at University Field in Cleveland.
The Lady Statesmen jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning of game one, with RBIs from Courtney Clark, Amber Hass, Sam St. Hilaire, Brittany Eikner and Erica Harris.
They added eight more runs over the next three innings on 14 hits to end the game early. Every hitter in the Lady Statesmen line-up reached base safely, and Chelsea Carr and Chasey Niebrugge each had three hits.
St. Hilaire gave up just two hits in the affair, pitching five innings and striking out five to improve her record to 5-1.
Alyssa Smith (1-5) took the loss, pitching four innings, giving up 13 runs on 14 hits.
In the second game, the Lady Generals struck first, scoring two runs in the fourth inning off of starting pitcher Edie Oliver. LSU-Alexandria still had the bases loaded with one out when Kate Moreland came in and closed the door.
The Lady Statesmen cut the lead to one in the fifth inning when St. Hilaire led off with a double and scored on a wild pitch. Delta State then tied the game in the sixth when Brittany Tillery led off with a bunt single. Kristi Basso laid down a sacrifice bunt, and Tillery ran all the way to third, sliding in just before the throw.
The Lady Statesmen claimed the victory on Erica Harris’ RBI-single in the bottom of the seventh inning, which scored Jackie Stowe, who led off with a single.
Kate Moreland (3-3) earned the victory, pitching 3.2 innings. The sophomore gave up just two hits and struck out three.
Megan Rowe (2-4) took the loss, pitching six innings, giving up three runs on six hits.
The Lady Statesmen will be in action again Wednesday, March 5, as they host Florida Southern for a double-header scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m.
February 24, 2008
LADY STATESMEN SPLIT FINAL DAY'S DOUBLEHEADER AT CHARGER CHILLOUT
By Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact
DECATUR, ALA. - After letting a 3-1 lead slip away into a 10-3 defeat to Truman State (2-2), the Lady Statesmen (10-9) regrouped and blasted Bellarmine (4-4) 10-1 in five innings on the final day of the UAH Charger Chillout.
Sam St. Hilaire (4-1) scattered six hits over five innings and allowed just one unearned run. Her teammates, meanwhile, had no problem with Bellarmine pitching, knocking four of 12 hits out of the park.
Chasey Niebrugge led the offensive charge for the Lady Statesmen going 3-for-3 with two home runs, a walk and three RBI. Brittany Tillery added a two-run home run, and Brittany Eikner hit a solo-home run.
Sharon Brill (1-2) took the loss for Bellarmine, giving up 10 runs on 12 hits in five innings.
In the Truman State game, Brittany Tillery’s two-RBI single in the first and St. Hilaire’s RBI-single in the fourth gave the Lady Statesmen a 3-1 lead going into the top of the fifth inning.
That is where the wheels fell off. Kate Moreland gave up a game-tying two-run home run and gave way to Edie Oliver. After retiring the second out of the inning against the first batter she faced, Oliver gave up four straight hits and when the inning came to a close Truman State had a 6-3 lead.
Truman State added three more runs in the top of the sixth inning, and the Lady Statesmen never threatened their lead.
Oliver (3-4) was charged with the loss, pitching one-third of an inning, giving up three runs on four hits.
Katie Noski (2-0) earned the win for Truman State, giving up three runs on 11 hits in seven innings.
The Lady Statesmen will host LSU-Alexandria Thursday, Feb. 28 at 4:00 p.m. in their home opener.
February 23, 2008
CHARGER CHILLOUT QUITE CHILLY FOR LADY STATESMEN, AS DSU GOES 0-2 ON DAY ONE
By Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact
DECATUR, ALA. - Errors and poorly placed defensive play led to a pair of losses for the Delta State softball team Saturday at the Charger Chillout in Decatur, Ala. The Lady Statesmen fell 13-10 to Missouri Science and Technology and 5-0 to Lewis.
There were a total of eight errors committed during the two games, and mixed with the way the opponents were swinging the bats, 16 and nine hits respectively, it made for a long day at the ballpark for the green and white.
Sam St. Hilaire started game one and seemed to be settling into a grove, but didn’t make it out of the second and left with four runs charged. An error by Erica Harris in left field allowed two more runs to score, and after two innings Missouri S&T led 7-0.
The Lady Statesmen battled back, scoring three in the bottom of the third inning. They then batted around in the bottom of the fourth inning, plating seven runs to take a 10-8 lead.
Missouri S&T didn’t stay down though, retaking the lead 11-10 in the top of the fifth, chasing Edie Oliver (3-3) from the circle. They added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh.
The Lady Statesmen loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but couldn’t get the clutch hit they needed, falling 13-10.
Against Lewis in a rematch from Tunica, a game in which the Lady Statesmen won 4-3, errors and mistakes were story on this cold, cold night. A passed ball in the first inning gave Lewis a 1-0 lead. Then in the third, two errors in the first three batters of the inning kept the inning alive, and Lewis took advantage. The Flyers plated three runs to take a 4-0 lead.
Kate Moreland (2-3) took the loss, allowing four runs, all unearned, in 2.1 innings.
Courtney Lyons pitched nearly flawlessly, giving up just one hit and six walks with eight strikeouts to earn the win.
The Lady Statesmen will take on Truman State at 11:00 a.m. and Bellarmine at 3:00 p.m. Sunday as they wrap up play at the Charger Chillout.
February 17, 2008
GSC/MIDWEST CLASH WASHED OUT ON SUNDAY
TUNICA - Heavy rains Saturday night and sloppy field conditions forced the final day of the GSC/Midwest Clash, hosted by Delta State at the G.V. Henderson Sports Complex, to be cancelled. No make-up dates are planned at this time.
February 16, 2008
LADY STATESMEN SWEEP AWAY INDIANAPOLIS AND LEWIS AT GSC/MIDWEST CLASH
TUNICA – The Lady Statesmen softball team advanced over the .500 mark for the first time this season with two wins Saturday at the Gulf South Conference-Midwest Clash, defeating Indianapolis 7-1 and holding off a late charge by Lewis to walk away with a 4-3 victory.
Delta State improved their record to 7-6, while Indianapolis dropped to 1-3 and Lewis fell to 0-4.
Sam St. Hilaire (3-2) pitched a gem, giving up just one unearned run on three hits in seven innings against Indianapolis.
The Lady Statesmen struck first, executing the bunt to perfection as Chasey Niebrugge led off the first inning with a double, advanced to third on Chelsea Carr’s sacrifice bunt and scored on Courtney Clark’s bunt single.
It was a 1-1 tie until the Lady Statesmen’s bats got hot in the fifth inning, tagging Meagan Gutierrez for three runs. They added three more in the sixth on Brittany Tillery’s third home run of the season, a three-run bomb over the right-centerfield fence.
Gutierrez (0-1) took the loss, giving up six runs on seven hits in five innings of work.
Against Lewis in the nightcap, the Lady Statesmen again jumped out to an early one-run lead in the exact same fashion. Niebrugge led off with a double, Carr bunted her to third and Clark squeezed her home.
Niebrugge scored again in the bottom of the third on Clark’s RBI-single, and the Lady Statesmen two more runs in the bottom of the fourth on Niebrugge’s RBI-single and Britni Adcox scored when Carr was hit by a pitch, giving Delta State a 4-0 lead.
Edie Oliver was cruising in the circle until the top of the seventh. Four of the first five Lewis hitters reached base safely, cutting the lead to one before Adcox came into the game to retire the last two batters for her first save of the season.
Oliver (2-2) pitched 6.1 innings, giving up three runs on 10 hits to improve to .500 on the young season.
Courtney Lyons (0-2) was charged with the loss after pitching 3.2 innings, giving up four runs on six hits.
The Lady Statesmen will finish up play at the GSC-Midwest Crossover Sunday against Southern Indiana at 2:00 p.m. and Missouri-St. Louis at 4:00 p.m.
February 15, 2008
LADY STATESMEN SPLIT DAY ONE TWINBILL AT GSC/MIDWEST CROSSOVER
By Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact
TUNICA - The Lady Statesmen (5-6) softball team earned a split on the opening of the Gulf South Conference-Midwest Crossover Friday, defeating Drury University (0-2) 7-3 and losing to defending National Champion and No. 1-ranked Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (2-0) 8-0 in five innings.
Sam St. Hilaire went the distance in the opener, improving her record to 2-2, and the heart of the lineup got hot with the bats as the Lady Statesmen eclipsed their previous season high of five runs. Courtney Clark and Amber Hass, the three and four hitters, combined for four RBI, a double, and a home run.
Chasey Niebrugge, Jackie Stowe and Brittany Eikner added another RBI each as the Lady Statesmen executed the squeeze play to perfection for a five-run second inning.
St. Hilaire gave up just three runs on six hits, two of which came on Mandi Burnett’s two-run home run.
Brittany Davis took the loss for Drury, pitching seven innings and giving up seven runs, one earned, on 10 hits.
SIU-Edwardsville’s Erika Taylor was nearly un-hittable. The freshman gave up just one hit in five innings in her first start of the season.
Kaeleigh Rousey’s home run and Chaleen Rumps’ two-RBI single highlighted a five-run second for SIU-E, and they took advantage of three Delta State errors to earn the victory.
Kate Moreland (1-2) was charged with the loss, going 2.2 innings and giving up eight runs, four earned.
The Lady Statesmen will take on the University of Indianapolis at 12:00 p.m. and Lewis University at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, February 17 at the G.V. Henderson Sports Complex in Tunica.
February 10, 2008
Lady Statesmen sweep away Tars at GSC/SSC Crossover in Pensacola, Fla.
PENSACOLA, Fla. - The Lady Statesmen finished a sweep of No. 24 Rollins College in a double-header Sunday to finish 3-1 at the GSC/SSC Crossover in Pensacola, Fla.
Head coach David Kuhn used a trio of pitchers to keep Rollins (1-5) scoreless over 14 innings, as the Lady Statesmen (4-5) took game one 1-0 and game two 3-0.
Sam St. Hilaire set the tone early, scattering ….hits over ….innings in the circle, before giving way to relief pitcher Britni Adcox, who earned her first win of the season.
Nicole Anderson pitched solid for six innings, keeping the Lady Statesmen batters off balance to the tune of just two hits and …. Strikeouts, but it was the bottom of the seventh that cost the Rollins power pitcher.
Edie Oliver and Adcox drew leadoff walks, and Kate Moreland came in to run for Oliver. Brittany Eikner laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third with just one out.
Kristi Basso stood at the plate with one out and a 1-2 count after attempting to squeeze Moreland home. As she stood in, the next pitch from Anderson sailed over the head of the catcher, and Moreland scored easily from third giving the Lady Statesmen the 1-0 victory.
Kate Moreland continued the scoreless trend, scattering five hits and recording seven strikeouts, as she recorded her first win of the season.
The Lady Statesmen added all three of their runs in the top of the sixth inning, when St. Hilaire, Clark and Tillery all delivered RBI singles.
Rachael Foster was charged with the loss for Rollins. She gave up three runs on seven hits in seven innings.
The Lady Statesmen will be in action again Friday, February 15, as they host the GSC/Midwest Crossover in Tunica.
February 9, 2008
Lady Statesmen and Lady Knights spilt twinbill at GSC/SSC Crossover; Rollins Tars up next for DSU
PENSACOLA, Fla. - The Delta State University Lady Statesmen softball team earned a split in their opening double-header of the GSC/SSC Crossover in Pensacola, Fla., Saturday against Lynn University.
The Fighting Knights (2-8) won the opener 2-1, but the Lady Statesmen (2-5) battled back, winning the nightcap 5-2.
Kate Moreland was solid in the first game, giving up just two runs in seven innings, but back-to-back RBI-singles by Kathryn Trombly and Mika Tatar was the difference in the game.
The Lady Statesmen struck first, with an RBI-single by Sam St. Hilaire which allowed Courtney Clark to score. However, that was all the offense the Lady Statesmen could produce against the pitching performance of Cristie Kaufman.
Kaufman (1-3) pitched all seven innings, giving up just one run on nine hits with five strikeouts.
Moreland (0-2) was charged with the loss. The sophomore pitched seven innings, giving up two runs on only five hits with two strikeouts.
In the second game, the Lady Statesmen again jumped out to a 1-0 lead. This time it came in the top of the second inning when Edie Oliver drove Brittany Tillery in from third base.
Lynn answered the run in the bottom of the second with an RBI-double by Trombly, but the Lady Statesmen bats weren’t finished. Tillery led of the top of the fourth with a line drive over the leftfield fence to put Delta State back on top.
Lynn answered in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI-single by Nikki Pallister. It was the last time a Fighting Knight crossed the plate.
The Lady Statesmen bats got hot in the top of the seventh, plating three runs with the assistance of a Lynn error that would have stopped the rally before it began. Brittany Eikner led off the inning with a single, and Moreland, who pinch-ran for Eikner, stole second. Chasey Niebrugge singled to give the Lady Statesmen runners at the corners with one out.
Chelsea Carr advanced Niebrugge to second with a ground ball to the shortstop, but Moreland was still at third with two outs in the inning. Clark hit a shot up the middle that was mishandled by the shortstop, allowing Moreland to score. Amber Hass and Tillery both added RBI-singles before the final out was made.
Lynn loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh, but Oliver pitched out of the jam to give the Lady Statesmen the win. Oliver (1-2) went seven innings, giving up two runs on eight hits with five strikeouts.
Amber Havnar (1-3) took the loss, pitching seven innings, giving up five runs, one earned, on nine hits with four strikeouts.
The Lady Statesmen will conclude play in the GSC/SSC Crossover Sunday with a double-header against Rollins at 10:00 a.m.
February 3, 2008
LADY STATESMEN SOFTBALL DROPS HEARTBREAKER 3-5 TO TEXAS A&M-KINGSVILLE
SAN ANTONIO , Texas – The Delta State women’s softball team dropped its final game of the St. Mary’s (TX) Collegiate Classic, 3-5, to Texas A&M-Kingsville Sunday at Rattlers Field. The Lady Statesmen fell to 1-4 on the young season, while the Javelinas improved to 3-2 overall with the win.
The Lady Statesmen struck first in the bottom of the first, as Courtney Clark’s RBI single plated Chasey Niebrugge for a 1-0 DSU lead.
In the top the third, the Javaeinas tied it up on Ariel Lichtenberger’s RBI single to left.
The Lady Statesmen wasted little time seizing the lead again on Amber Hass’ two-run home run (1) to center. The blast plated Sam St. Hilaire to give DSU a 3-1 advantage.
In the top of the fourth, Texas A&M-Kingsville loaded the bases with one out. A roller to St. Hilaire forced the senior to hurry her throw to the plate leading to an error. The ball got away from catcher Courtney Clark allowing two Javelinas to score, tying the game at 3-3. The Javelinas would plate two more runs before the inning was over to go up 3-5.
TAMK would keep the Lady Statesmen at bay over the next three innings despite two leadoff doubles.
Sam St. Hilaire (1-1) pitched 3.1 innings allowing seven hits and five runs, three earned, in the loss. Courtney Rigamonti (2-2) earned the win for the Javelinas. She allowed eight hits, three runs and one strikeout in the complete game.
The Lady Statesmen finished with three runs on eight hits with two errors, while the Javelinas plated five runs on seven hits with four errors.
The Lady Statesmen will return to action this weekend at the Gulf South Conference/Sunshine State Conference Crossover Tournament. Delta State will play four games over the two-day tournament in Pensacola, Fla.
FEBRUARY 2, 2008
LADY STATESMEN SOFTBALL SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER AT ST. MARY’S CLASSIC
By Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Sam St. Hilaire pitched a gem as the Lady Statesmen (1-3) softball team chalked up their first win of the season, defeating Texas Women’s University (0-3) 1-0 Saturday morning, but fell victim to Kim McDonald’s perfect game, losing 12-0 to Abilene Christian (2-1) in five innings.
St. Hilaire (1-0) threw seven scoreless innings, keeping the Texas Women’s hitters off balance, scattering seven hits while striking out four.
Emily Hearn provided the offense for the Lady Statesmen in the bottom of the fifth inning when her slow roller died between the pitcher and the catcher, allowing Courtney Clark to score from third.
Carly Case (0-1) took the loss for the Pioneers, throwing six innings, allowing seven hits and the lone run.
In the Lady Statesmen’s second game, against the ACU Wildcats, pitcher Edie Oliver (0-2) gave up three runs in the first and was charged with two of the four runs that scored on Jessica Shiery’s grand slam over the right-centerfield wall, which gave the Wildcats a 7-0 lead in the top of the second inning.
Three Lady Statesmen pitchers combined for five innings, giving up 12 runs, 10 earned. Oliver was charged with her second loss of the season, pitching 1.1 innings, giving up five runs, three earned.
McDonald (1-0) threw all five innings without allowing a single baserunner, and struck out three hitters.
The Lady Statesmen will play their final game at the St. Mary’s NCAA Division II College Classic against Texas A&M-Kingsville at 10:00 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 3.
February 1, 2008
LADY STATESMEN SOFTBALL DROPS SEASON OPENING DOUBLEHEADER AT ST. MARY’S CLASSIC
By Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact
- Box Score: Cameron 6 - DSU 5 (9)
- Box Score: Tarleton St. 5 - DSU 4
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The Delta State softball team was swept on the opening day of the season at the St. Mary’s NCAA Division II College Classic, dropping two one-run games in the last inning of play.
The Lady Statesmen lost 6-5 in nine innings to Cameron University in the first game, and Tarleton State scored in the bottom of the seventh to claim a 5-4 victory in game two.
Edie Oliver pitched all nine innings against Cameron, but it was shortstop Megan Young’s three-run home run off the left field foul pole that proved to be the difference.
Cameron struck first with a run in the top of the first inning on Shareena Pulse’s RBI-single.
The Lady Statesmen answered that with a run in the bottom of the second when Brittany Eikner drove in Sam St. Hilaire on an RBI-double.
Two successful bunts gave Cameron two quick baserunners in the top of the third before Young drilled the pitch through a stiff wind to give her team a 4-1 lead.
The Lady Statesmen answered immediately with a three-run bottom of the third. Amber Hass drove in Brittany Tillery and Courtney Clark with a two-RBI double, and Erica Harris drove in Hass on a single up the middle.
It wasn’t until the ninth inning that another run would cross the plate. Cameron took advantage of the tiebreak rule, as Callie Schlatter, who started the inning at second base, came across to score on Kensi Caldwell’s RBI-double. Caldwell would then score on Chelsey Jordan’s RBI-single, giving Cameron a 6-4 lead going to the bottom of the ninth.
The Lady Statesmen got a run as St. Hilaire drove in Britni Adcox with an RBI-double, but she was left stranded at third as the game ended.
Oliver (0-1) went nine innings, giving up six runs, five earned, with two strikeouts.
Ashton McBride (1-0) earned the win for Cameron, going nine innings, giving up five runs, four earned, with two strikeouts.
In the second game, against Tarleton State, the Lady Statesmen jumped out to a 4-0 lead on one swing of Tillery’s bat. The junior’s grand slam plated St. Hilaire, Kristi Basso and Ashley Holder in the top of the second inning, but that was all the offensive help pitcher Kate Moreland received in the contest.
Tarleton State chipped away at the lead, scoring a run in the bottom of the third and the bottom of the fifth, before tying the game with two runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Brittany Terry’s two-RBI double did the damage with one out in the inning. Tarleton State ended the game with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning when Tami Sutton stepped up with runners at first and third. Sutton hit a fly ball to left that sailed over the head of St. Hilaire. Kelli Gayle scored from third to give Tarleton State the win.
Moreland (0-0) pitched 5.1 innings, giving up four runs with two strikeouts. Adcox (0-1) was charged with the loss, as she went 1.1 innings, giving up one run.
Jessi Walters (1-0) earned the win, working 1.1 innings, giving up just one hit and no runs.
The Lady Statesmen will continue play at the St. Mary’s Classic Saturday, Feb. 2, against Texas Women’s University at 11:15 a.m. and Abilene Christian at 3:45 p.m.
January 30, 2008
LADY STATESMEN SOFTBALL PICKED SECOND IN GSC WEST; SIX PLAYERS NAMED PRESEASON ALL-GSC
CLEVELAND - The Delta State University Lady Statesmen softball team was picked to finish second in the West Division of the Gulf South Conference as voted by the league’s coaches.
The Lady Statesmen earned two first place votes from the West Division coaches, but it was the Cotton Blossoms of Arkansas-Monticello who took the top-spot with five first place votes, finishing four points (35) above the Lady Statesmen (31) in the voting.
Henderson State (23) was picked to finish third, while Southern Arkansas (20) was voted fourth. Ouachita Baptist (19) was fifth, Arkansas Tech (13) finished sixth in the voting and Christian Brothers rounded out the West Division with six points in seventh place.
For the fourth-straight season, Alabama-Huntsville was picked to win the overall conference title, while Valdosta State was voted as the favorite to win the East Division, garnering four of the five first place votes.
The Lady Statesmen had six players selected to the GSC Preseason Team, headlined by 2007 All-Region second baseman Chasey Niebrugge. As a junior last season, Niebrugge hit .354 with 10 home runs and 36 RBIs.
Fellow seniors Britni Adcox and Sam St. Hilaire were also selected. Adcox, a two-time All-GSC selection, was fifth in the nation with five saves last season. She had a 10-5 record in the circle with an ERA of 4.01. She also hit .282 with 13 RBIs and stole 13-of-15 bases. St. Hilaire, a three-time All-GSC selection, hit .347 with 17 RBIs. Despite a 2-4 record pitching, St. Hilaire posted several key innings in relief, striking out 37 batters in 54.0 innings with an ERA of 3.63.
Junior Brittany Tillery and sophomores Courtney Clark and Edie Oliver rounded out the Lady Statesmen’s preseason selections. Tillery, a 2007 First Team All-GSC selection, stole 32-of-33 bases, led the team with a .374 batting average, and drove in 26 runs. She tied an NCAA All Divisions record with three triples in one game, and recorded 13 outfield assists.
Courtney Clark, a 2007 Second Team All-GSC selection, hit .366 with eight home runs and a team-high 46 RBIs, while Oliver, a 2007 First Team selection, had a 9-5 record with a team-best 2.40 ERA. She also hit .317 with 15 RBIs.
The Lady Statesmen six selections to the pre-season squad was the most by any school in either division.
December 3, 2007
KASEY BRITT INKS WITH LADY STATESMEN
CLEVELAND – Delta State University head softball coach David Kuhn announced the signing of Richland High School senior Kasey Britt to the 2008-09 Lady Statesmen softball team.
As a junior, she hit .532 with 35 RBI and five home runs. The speedster also legged out nine doubles and four triples. The 2007 First Team All-State selection committed only two errors in 301 opportunities, recording 290 putouts and nine assists, while spending time at first base and in the outfield.
“Kasey (Britt) brings a much needed left handed power hitter to our lineup. She is a great, all-around athlete, and she brings a lot of talent to our ball club,” Kuhn said.
November 26, 2007
LADY STATESMEN SOFTBALL ADDS THREE TO 2009 SIGNING CLASS; WALLACE STATE DUO ADDS POP TO CLASS
CLEVELAND - Delta State head softball coach David Kuhn announced the signing of three players for the 2009 softball season on Monday. Holli Hill, a sophomore pitcher at Wallace State Community College, Rachel Baucom, a sophomore catcher/shortstop at Wallace State Community College, and Kaity Calvert, a senior at Toms River South High School in Beachwood, N.J.
“I am very excited about these girls,” Kuhn said. “They have a lot of talent and will make a positive impact on both our program and our community.”
Hill, pitcured at left, was 14-6 as a freshman, throwing six complete-game shutouts and four combined shutouts. The Boaz, Ala., native finished with a 1.16 ERA and struck out 135 batters in 121 innings. The 5-foot-5, right-handed hurler also pitched six innings against Auburn University during the fall of her freshman year, and gave up just two runs.
“Holli (Hill) has a very live arm. She has the opportunity to come in here and make an immediate impact,” Kuhn said. “She has great control and is very poised on the mound.”
Baucom, pictured below, led Wallace State as a freshman with a .458 batting average. She drove in 60 RBIs with 104 hits, including 20 doubles and four home runs. She was selected as a First Team South Region All-American, had an 18-game hitting streak, and had 31 multi-hit games. Baucom is a native of Columbus, Miss. and went to New Hope High School, where she was named First Team All-State in 2006.
“Rachel (Baucom) is an outstanding hitter. She is a great situational hitter who can also hit for power. She can put the ball anywhere on the field, and she doesn’t strike out often,” Kuhn said.
During fall games as a freshman, Baucom struck out just twice in 96 plate appearances.
Calvert is also a good hitter who can play nearly anywhere on the field. During her junior year, she played primarily as a catcher, but spent time at numerous positions in both the infield and the outfield. She hit .340 with five doubles and two home runs.
"Kaity (Calvert) is a very versatile softball player. She can play in the dirt, grass or behind the plate. She will give us lots of options as a player. I am happy that Kaity will play for us next year,” Kuhn said.
November 16, 2007
LADY STATESMEN SOFTBALL INKS BAYOU’S MAGHAN BROWN
CLEVELAND – Delta State University head softball coach David Kuhn announced the signing of Bayou Academy catcher Maghan Brown to a National Letter of Intent on Friday. Brown, one of the top student-athletes in the Mississippi Private School Association, is the first Lady Statesmen commitment to ink with the Delta State in the early signing period.
“I’m tremendously excited about the addition of Maghan to our program,” said Kuhn. “She is an exceptional athlete and good student. She has great speed and a great understanding of the game. I believe her best softball is yet to come.”
Brown garnered MPSA All-Star MVP honors after guiding the Lady Colts to their second straight Class A championship. Along the way, Brown batted .495 with eight doubles, six triples, and 34 RBIs.
October 9, 2007
LADY STATESMEN AMONG NATION'S BEST IN THE CLASSROOM
By Travis Chamblee, Softball Contact
CLEVELAND - The Delta State softball team ranked 29th out of 61 NCAA Division II schools in team grade point average with an overall GPA of 3.296, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced. There were only 30 of 118 Division I schools which had a GPA higher than the Lady Statesmen.
Head coach David Kuhn’s squad is behind only two other Gulf South Conference schools. The University of Arkansas-Monticello is sixth in Division II with a GPA of 3.480, and Valdosta State is ninth with a 3.471. Grand Canyon University is at the top of all Division II schools with a team GPA of 3.633.
August 15, 2007
Lady Statesmen set to host walk-on tryout August 27
CLEVELAND - Delta State University Lady Statesmen softball will hold an open walk-on tryout August 27 at 2 p.m. at University Field.
The tryout is open to all female Delta State students who are enrolled on a full-time basis. Interested students must come by the DSU Softball office (Dorgan Center) to fill out the required forms. The forms must be completed prior to the Aug. 27 tryout. The student must also have her own insurance, as well as gloves and shoes.
For more information, please contact assistant coach Brandi Vondenstein at (662) 846-4288.
July 30, 2007
BRANDI VONDENSTEIN NAMED ASSISTANT SOFTBALL COACH
CLEVELAND – Delta State University head softball coach David Kuhn announced the hiring of Brandi Vondenstein as assistant coach on Monday. Vondenstein is no stranger to Lady Statesmen softball. The Crowley, La., native was an All-Gulf South Conference selection at third base for the Lady Statesmen during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. She spent the past two seasons as a graduate assistant on Kuhn’s staff as well.
Over her two year playing career, Vondenstein started 112-of-115 games played. Her exceptional defense and work ethic helped the Lady Statesmen to the GSC West Division crown in 2005.
Vondenstein also coached the Bayou Academy Lady Colts softball team to the 2006 Mississippi Private School Association Class A State Championship and in the fall of 2005 led BA to a third place finish in the MPSA North State Championship.
Vondenstein graduated in 2005 from DSU with a bachelor’s degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. An excellent student, she was twice named to the All-GSC Academic Team and received the Halbrook Award of Academic Distinction in 2005 from the Institutes of Higher Learning Board.
She recently completed her master’s degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation this past summer. Her duties will include recruiting, field maintenance and travel coordination.
July 10, 2007
After two years on the sidelines, Lady Statesmen assistant Joy Long announces resignation
CLEVELAND - Delta State head softball coach David Kuhn announced the resignation of assistant coach Joy Long effective Monday, July 9. Long plans to return to chiropractic school next summer after completing prerequisites at DSU this fall. The Oxford, Fla., native will remain on the staff as a volunteer assistant. A nationwide search for a full-time assistant coach has already begun.
Long, a former four-time First Team All-Gulf South Conference catcher for the Lady Statesmen, has served the softball program as a full-time assistant the past two seasons. Prior to being named a full time coach, she worked as a graduate assistant for two seasons. During that time, DSU went 88-49 with her assistance.
As a four year starter for the Lady Statesmen, Long positioned herself in the top ten of virtually every offensive category. Long closed out her career as the all-time leader in hits (222), games played (225), and runs batted in (135). A three time First-Team NFCA All-South Region player, she will forever be remembered as one of the greats at DSU and in the Gulf South Conference.
May 16, 2007
Lady Statesmen sign NJCAA All-American shortstop Kaci Haney
CLEVELAND—Delta State University head softball coach David Kuhn announced the signing of Kaci Haney, a National Fastpitch Coaches Association Junior College All-American, from Cowley Community College in Arkansas City, Kan. Haney’s signing marks the third player to ink with the Lady Statesmen this season.
“Kaci is an outstanding student-athlete that comes from one of the best junior college softball programs in the Midwest,” said Kuhn. “She has outstanding range on defense and brings a lot of offensive power with her bat.”
Haney, a native of Great Bend, Kan., brings some impressive credentials to the Lady Statesmen program. The power-hitting shortstop is a two-time NFCA First Team All-Region selection. In 2006, Haney was named to the NFCA Junior College All-American Team and she is a leading candidate to repeat the feat this year after batting .411 with 11 home runs, 51 RBIs and 69 hits.
Haney could also be considered an All-American in the classroom. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, a national two-year college honor society. Students must maintain at least a 3.5 grade point average to be inducted.
May 9, 2007
Delta State’s Chasey Niebrugge named to Daktronics First Team All-South Region squad
CLEVELAND – Delta State University junior second baseman Chasey Niebrugge was named to the Daktronics First Team All-South Region Softball Team on Wednesday. It is the first career All-Region honor for Niebrugge and the first this season for the Lady Statesmen.
“Chasey had a monster season for us at second base,” said David Kuhn, Lady Statesmen head coach. “She is the type player you build a team around and I can’t wait to see how she continues to develop as a player over the summer.”
Niebrugge, a First Team All-Gulf South Conference selection, led the Lady Statesmen to a 39-26 finish this season and a fourth place finish in the Gulf South Conference Tournament last weekend in Southaven. The junior from Bonita Springs, Fla. led the Lady Statesmen this year with 13 doubles and 10 home runs. She finished fourth on the squad with a .349 batting average, while driving in 36 runs. The speedster also swiped 13-of-16 bases and completed the season with a .933 fielding percentage.
Neibrugge and the other 12 first team selections are now eligible for the Daktronics All-American team.May 7, 2007
Lady Statesmen fall 2-3 in extras to UAH after making deep run in GSC Tournament
SOUTHAVEN - The Lady Statesmen put up an incredible performance Saturday night against the Chargers of Alabama-Huntsville, but in the end the experience of a very talented Charger lineup ended the season for Delta State with a 3-2 extra-inning win, eliminating the Lady Statesmen from the Gulf South Conference tournament.
Freshman Kate Moreland pitched like a senior, dazzling the Charger hitters for 6.1 scoreless innings before UAH finally figured out how to hit her. With a runner on first, Caroline Weatherly singled and Delta State head coach David Kuhn brought in Britni Adcox to finish the game. After Adcox got Kristina Prater to fly out, Amy Harris came through with a double to center field to tie the game at 2-2.
The Chargers went on to win the game in the bottom of the eighth inning on an RBI single by Megan Blanchard, scoring Anna Parker.
Jenny Hess (5-0) earned the win for UAH, going five innings of relief. The national save leader gave up just one run on five hits.
Adcox (10-5) took the loss for the Lady Statesmen, giving up one run on two hits in one inning of work.
The battle was the third game of the day for the Lady Statesmen after staving off elimination in each of the two previous games, beating Southern Arkansas 3-2 and Henderson State 8-4, just to earn the right to face the Chargers, who are yet to be defeated in the GSC tournament.
Freshman Edie Oliver went 4.2 innings against Southern Arkansas, giving up two runs on five hits. Britni Adcox earned the win after throwing 2.1 innings of relief. Erica Harris had two RBIs in the game and Delanie Sloan added what proved to be the game winner with a two-out RBI single in the sixth, scoring Harris.
Oliver (9-5) earned the win against Henderson State, throwing four innings. The first team All-GSC selection gave up three runs on four hits.
Senior Randa Blenden earned the save, her third of the season, throwing three scoreless innings with three strikeouts giving up just one hit.
The Lady Statesmen scored three runs in the first inning as Brittany Tillery, Courtney Clark and Harris all came across to score. Sloan did the damage with yet another two-out RBI hit, which scored Harris after she reached on an error.
Clark finished the day 4-for-6 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Harris went 4-for-9 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Sloan was just 2-for-10 with three RBIs, and senior Lindsay Cordell was 2-for-6 with two RBIs.
The Lady Statesmen finished the season with a 39-26 record overall, while Alabama-Huntsville will play for the GSC crown Sunday.
May 4, 2007
Lady Statesmen drop first round game to Chargers 0-3 at GSC Tournament; DSU to face SAU on Saturday
- Game Box: UAH 3 - DSU 0
SOUTHAVEN – It was a heartbreaking day for the Lady Statesmen as they fell to Alabama-Huntsville 3-0 in the first round of the Gulf South Conference tournament Friday at Greenbrook Park in Southaven, Miss.
Sage Woodham (21-5) had the Lady Statesmen hitters guessing all night as she gave up just five hits in the complete game shutout. The first-team All-GSC selection went 7.0 innings, giving up no runs with two strikeouts in the victory for the Chargers (41-16).
The Lady Statesmen were not without opportunities, however, as they left six runners on base, but they just couldn’t ever get the big hit when it counted against the dominant Woodham.
Edie Oliver (8-5) pitched a solid game as well, going 4.2 innings. The freshman first-team All-GSC selection gave up three runs, one earned, on six hits with two strikeouts.
The Chargers struck first in the second inning when Megan Blanchard singled to left field, driving in Anna Parker. UAH would add two more runs in the fifth as the inning was extended by a two out walk and an error, allowing Kristina Prater to score and bringing Sydney Simpson to the plate. Simpson delivered with a single up the middle, driving in Stephanie Pinto.
The Lady Statesmen threatened again in the bottom of the seventh, getting two base runners with one out, but Woodham clamped down and retired the last two batters to send the Lady Statesmen to the loser’s bracket.
The Lady Statesmen will face West division rival Southern Arkansas on Saturday, May 5, at 11:45 a.m. in an elimination game.
May 4, 2007
Lady Statesmen garner seven All-Gulf South Conference selections
BIRMINGHAM , Ala. - The Delta State University softball team had seven players named to the All-Gulf South Conference First or Second Teams, the league office announced Thursday.
Second baseman Chasey Niebrugge, pitcher Edie Oliver and right fielder Brittany Tillery earned First Team bids, while pitcher Britni Adcox, catcher Courtney Clark, third baseman Delanie Sloan and left fielder Sam St. Hilaire were each named to the Second Team.
Niebrugge leads the Lady Statesmen in doubles, 13, and home runs, 10. The junior from Bonita Springs, Fla., is hitting .369 and has swiped thirteen bases.
Oliver, a freshman from Eupora, has an 8-4 record, a team-low 2.28 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 80.0 innings in the circle, while hitting .317 with 15 RBIs in 63 at-bats.
Tillery tied an NCAA record and set a new GSC record with three triples in a game, while hitting four on the season. The sophomore from Starkville is hitting .366 for the Lady Statesmen and leads the conference with 32 stolen bases in 33 attempts. She also has 12 outfield assists.
Adcox is second in the nation with five saves for the Lady Statesmen and has been a dominant force out of the bullpen. The junior from Covington, La. is 9-4 on the year with a 4.27 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 60.2 innings. The two-time All-GSC selection is also hitting .286 with 13 RBIs and 13 runs scored.
Clark leads the Lady Statesmen with 44 RBIs and is second with eight home runs. The freshman from Little Rock, Ark. is hitting .364 and tied the second longest hitting streak in GSC history with hits in 20 consecutive games.
Sloan leads Delta State with a .375 batting average and has driven in 16 runs and scored 22. The freshman from Bellville, Texas has been dangerous with two outs, hitting .459 with nine RBIs.
Sam St. Hilaire is a three-time All-GSC selection. The junior from Turner, Maine is hitting .359 with 17 RBIs and 26 runs scored and one home run.
The seven selections from the Lady Statesmen’s roster are the most selected from any other school, with Valdosta State also earning seven selections.
Delta State returns to the diamond this Friday in the GSC Tournament in Southaven. The Lady Statesmen play Alabama-Huntsville at 4:15 p.m. at Greenbrook Park.
May 2, 2007
Lady Statesmen looking to make title run at upcoming Gulf South Conference Tournament
CLEVELAND – The Lady Statesmen will be in action Friday, May 4, as they begin their quest for a Gulf South Conference crown. Delta State, the No. 2 seed out of the West division, will take on the No. 3 seed from the East, Alabama-Huntsville in Southaven, Miss. at 4:15 p.m. at Greenbrook Park.
The Lady Statesmen enter the tournament with a record of 37-24, 17-11 in GSC games, while the Chargers are 40-16, 13-10 in GSC.
The Chargers have defeated the Lady Statesmen in five-of-their-last-six contests, including a 9-6 victory over DSU in the 2006 GSC championship game.
The Lady Statesmen are making their 22nd straight appearance in the tournament, including all nine seasons under head coach David Kuhn. Delta State also has 25 wins at the GSC tournament, the most by a school from the conference’s West division.
The winner of the DSU-UAH match-up will take on the winner of No. 1 seed Valdosta State vs. No. 4 seed Southern Arkansas at 8:30 p.m. Friday, while the losers of each game will face each other at 11:45 a.m. Saturday.
April 26, 2007
Delta State’s Edie Oliver garners third Gulf South Conference Pitcher of the Week award
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Delta State freshman pitcher Edie Oliver is heating up at the right time for the Lady Statesmen softball program. On Tuesday, the Gulf South Conference named Oliver the West Division Pitcher of the Week for a third time in four weeks.
Oliver helped the Lady Statesmen to a 5-1 record on the week, picking up two wins against Ouachita Baptist to clinch a spot in the upcoming GSC Tournament. The 5-foot-8 freshman left-hander threw 19.1 innings, allowing only three earned runs while striking out 18. She scattered 12 hits and had a 1.09 ERA.
The Eupora native has emerged as one of the top young pitchers in the GSC this season. In 21 appearances and 11 starts, Oliver has an 8-4 record with a 2.28 ERA. In 80 innings pitched, she has allowed 31 runs on 62 hits with 64 strikeouts. Opponents are batting just .209 against her.
April 21, 2007
Lady Statesmen sweep GSC doubleheader with Lady Tigers of Ouachita Baptist
- Game 1 Box: DSU 6 - OBU 5
- Game 2 Box: DSU 1 - OBU 0
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - The Lady Statesmen survived in Arkadelphia, Ark. Saturday with two one-run victories over Ouachita Baptist, 6-5 and 1-0.
The wins pushed Delta State’s record to 37-24, 17-11 Gulf South Conference, while Ouachita Baptist dropped to 26-25, 8-15 GSC.
In game one, the Lady Statesmen overcame an early two-run deficit with a three-run fourth and a two-run fifth to take a 5-2 lead. Jackie Stowe and Sam St. Hilaire each scored twice in the two innings and Lindsay Cordell came through with two RBIs.
The Lady Statesmen added another run in the seventh when Delanie Sloan drove in Stowe, who went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, before Ouachita Baptist made things interesting with a three-run home run off the bat of Haley Chambers.
Britni Adcox came in to close the game, getting the last three batters in order for her fourth save of the season.
Randa Blenden (13-8) earned the win, going six innings, giving up five runs on 12 hits.
Beth McGhee took the loss for Ouachita Baptist, working 3.0 plus innings, giving up three runs on five hits.
In game two, Edie Oliver pitched a gem, giving up just two hits and a walk while the Lady Statesmen struggled offensively against a stellar pitching performance by Arial Adair for Ouachita Baptist.
Delta State finally pushed what proved to be the winning run in the top of the seventh when Sloan drove in Courtney Clark, who led off the inning with a double down the right field line.
Adcox came on in relief with two runners on base and one out to secure the win for the Lady Statesmen and record her fifth save of the season.
Oliver (8-4) worked 6.1 innings, giving up just two hits while striking out eight.
Adair went seven innings, giving up one run on five hits with five strikeouts in the loss for Ouachita Baptist.
The Lady Statesmen will be in action again on Friday, May 4, as the Gulf South Conference Tournament gets underway. Start times and opponents are yet to be determined.
April 20, 2007
DSU and HSU split GSC doubleheader in Arkadelphia; Lady Statesmen clinch GSC Tournament berth
- Game 1 Box: HSU 3 - DSU 2
- Game 2 Box: DSU 7 - HSU 5
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - Brittany Eikner caught a line drive off the bat of Haylee Williams and fired to Lindsay Cordell to double-up Tiffany Stiger for the last two outs in a thrilling game two win over Henderson State, 7-5.
The Lady Statesmen earned a split with the game two victory, pushing their record to 35-24, 15-11 Gulf South Conference, after dropping game one 3-2 to the Lady Reddies (20-13, 12-11 GSC).
Edie Oliver (7-4) pitched well enough to win in game one, giving up just three runs on five hits over six innings, but the Lady Statesmen stranded 13 runners on base, leaving the bases loaded three times.
Katie Corbell (10-4) earned the win for Henderson State, going seven innings, giving up two runs on six hits with five walks.
In game two, the Lady Statesmen had a 4-1 lead after three innings and stretched it to a comfortable six-run lead after the fourth as Chasey Niebrugge, Courtney Clark and Delanie Sloan came across to score on an RBI-single by Cordell and a two-RBI double by Jackie Stowe.
Starting pitcher Britni Adcox was cruising before she ran into a jam in the fifth, giving up four runs, including a three-run home run to Kelcie Glidden, before giving way to Randa Blenden. The senior earned her second save of the season, pitching 2.2 scoreless innings.
Adcox (9-4) earned the win, pitching 4.1 innings. The junior gave up five runs on six hits with two strikeouts.
With the win, the Lady Statesmen clinched a spot in the Gulf South Conference Tournament for the 22nd time in school history.
The Lady Statesmen will be in action again Saturday, April 21, as they play Ouachita Baptist in Arkadelphia, Ark. in a double-header scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.
April 19, 2007
Delta State sweeps Ouachita Baptist 3-1 and 2-1; Lady Statesmen raise over $2K in the fight against cancer on "Strikeout Cancer Night"
By Travis Chamblee and Matt Jones
- Game 1 Box: DSU 3 - OBU 1
- Game 2 Box: DSU 2 - OBU 1
CLEVELAND - On senior night at University Field, the seniors came through came through when it counted most as the Lady Statesmen swept Ouachita Baptist with a 3-1 victory in a one and took game two 2-1.
Senior pitcher Randa Blenden came into game one in the middle of a fourth inning jam in relief of freshman Kate Moreland. With runners on first and third and no outs, Blenden allowed just one runner to cross home before retiring the side and preserving the Delta State lead.
However, the freshmen made just as big of an impact on the outcome. Edie Oliver singled to score Chasey Niebrugge in the first inning and Courtney Clark hit a two-RBI double in the third for the Lady Statesmen’s three runs.
Blenden (12-8) pitched three innings, giving up no runs on two hits with four strikeouts to earn the win after Moreland pitched three innings, giving up one run.
Beth McGhee (8-6) took the loss for Ouachita Baptist, going six innings while giving up three runs on five hits.
Oliver (7-3) pitched a gem, giving up just one unearned run on five hits while striking out seven in seven innings.
Senior Lindsay Cordell scored a run in the bottom of the second inning to tie up game two on an RBI-bunt single by another freshman, Brittnay Eikner.
The Lady Statesmen scored what proved to be the winning run in the bottom of the third as Clark drove in Britni Adcox with an RBI-single.
Ariel Adair (4-6) got the loss for OBU, going six innings, giving up two runs on five hits.
Cordell was 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Clark was 3-for-5 with three RBIs.
The night was also the first “Strikeout Cancer Night” at University Field, which proved to be a huge success. In front of a crowd of over 500, fans placed bids on limited edition pink jerseys with the proceeds going to benefit Relay for Life. When the final tally came in the Lady Statesmen softball program had raised over $1500 in jersey bids and another $500 in donations and visor sales.
“We have participated in the fight against cancer every year I have been at Delta State,” stated DSU head coach David Kuhn. “This year we decided to partner with Relay for Life and came up with the idea for Strikeout Cancer Night. I want to thank everyone who placed a bid on our jerseys, purchased a visor or made a donation.” Kuhn concluded, “I would never have imagined we would have raised this much, but I believe we will do even better next season.”
The Lady Statesmen will travel to Arkadelphia, Ark. this weekend for a pair of Gulf South Conference doubleheaders. Delta State will face Henderson State on Friday at 2 p.m. at Diamond Reddie Field, while facing the Lady Tigers of Ouachita Baptist for a second time this week on Saturday. Saturday’s doubleheader is slated for 1 p.m. All four games will be broadcast on the Lady Statesmen Softball Network beginning five minutes before each game. J.T. Webb and Travis Chamblee have the call.
April 15, 2007
GSC Crossover cancelled Sunday due to rain
DECATUR, Ala. - For a second straight day, Sunday's games at t