GAME NOTES: Delta State @ Gulf Sores Invitational
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - With expectations riding high for the Delta State University softball team, the Lady Statesmen (0-0, 0-0 GSC) open the 2019 season on Friday, Feb. 1 versus Embry Riddle (0-0, 0-0 SSC) and Miles (0-0, 0-0 SIAC) at the 3rd annual Gulf Shores Invitational. DSU will play Spring Hill and Tuskegee on Saturday, Feb. 2 before wrapping up the three-day event on Sunday, Feb. 3 versus Saint Leo. Live stats will be available for each game at GoStatesmen.com.

This weekend's trip to Gulf Shores, Ala., will be a familiar one for the Lady Statesmen. Delta State has played in the Gulf Shores Invitational since its inception in 2017. In DSU's previous two trips to the event, the Lady Statesmen have posted a 5-7 record, including a 3-3 mark last year. In 2018, DSU claimed victories over Rollins (3-2), Young Harris (4-3) and Miles (11-2).  

With the start of the 2019 campaign one week away, Delta State was picked to finish seventh in the annual Gulf South Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, as released by the league on Thursday, Jan. 24. The University of Alabama in Huntsville edged out defending champion Valdosta State University by six points as the league's preseason favorite. Mississippi College, the University of West Florida and Lee University rounded out the coaches' preseason top five.

The Lady Statesmen will certainly be road tested to the start the season, as Delta State plays 14 consecutive road games to begin the 2019 campaign. DSU's first home game will not be until Saturday, Feb. 23 when the Lady Statesmen host Union in a Gulf South Conference doubleheader at University Field.

AROUND THE HORN: @DELTASTATESB NEWS & NOTES

Kelly Byrd, a senior infielder, was named to the 2019 Preseason All-GSC Team after a breakout junior campaign for the Lady Statesmen last year. The Terry, Miss., native led the Lady Statesmen in batting average (.371), hits (53), triples (3), home runs (11), slugging percentage (.720), walks (18), hit by pitch (15), on-base percentage (.480) and RBIs (50) while finishing second on the team with 11 doubles. The former Jones JC transfer closed the season ranked third in the GSC in hit-by-pitches and fourth in RBIs and slugging percentage. For her efforts, Byrd was named to the 2018 All-GSC and NFCA All-South Region teams.

Senior outfielder Jordan Jones is looking to build off of her 2018 numbers this year for the Lady Statesmen. In 47 games, the Crystal Springs native hit .354 with 13 doubles, two triples, three home runs and 27 RBIs.

Junior outfielder Olivia Dick had a breakout sophomore season a year ago, batting .308 with 36 hits in 117 at-bats. The Brandon native scored 20 runs in 47 games for the Lady Statesmen while stealing 17-of-19 bases.

Abi Gibson is entering her fourth season with the Lady Statesmen and is once again expected to play a large role in the middle infield. In 49 games last year, the Coldwater native batted .305 with 43 hits in 143 at-bats. She slapped seven doubles, one home run and drove in 18 runs. In 170 chances at shortstop, Gibson committed nine errors to finish with a .947 fielding percentage. Gibson is a career .302 hitter with 133 hits in 441 plate appearances. She has connected on 21 doubles, one triple and three home runs while driving in 60 in 149 games.

Sophomore 3B/C Carlie Vice will play a large role for the Lady Statesmen this year behind the plate and at third base. As a freshman last year, Vice hit .257 in 45 starts with six doubles, six home runs and 25 RBIs.

Nicole Fullilove turned in a solid campaign as a junior for the Lady Statesmen, posting a 9-4 record with a 1.46 ERA. In 17 starts, Fullilove struck-out 76 batters in 116.0 innings pitched while allowing just 53 earned runs.

Sophomore Mallory Myers hopes to continue her rise after a solid freshman campaign in 2018. In 50 games, which included 45 starts, the Batesville native batted .286 with four doubles, a triple and 17 RBIs. She collected 42 hits in 147 at-bats while swiping 7-of-8 stolen base attempts.

Freshman outfielder Ta'mya Johnson was named to the Top Newcomers List as well. The Atoka, Tenn., native starred at Brighton High School before signing with the Lady Statesmen.

Casey Charles, a former All-Gulf South Conference shortstop for the Lady Statesmen from 1999-2002, is entering her 11th season as head coach at Delta State. In her previous 10 seasons, the Lady Statesmen are 262-275 with nine trips to the Gulf South Conference Tournament and a 2014 NCAA South Regional Tournament appearance. She has coached 21 All-GSC selections, four NFCA All-South Region players, and two D2CCA All-Region performers. Off the field, 77 Lady Statesmen have been named to the GSC Academic Honor Roll while four have won the prestigious Charles S. Kerg Senior Athlete of the Year Award at DSU.