MOBILE, Ala. – The guest for this week's installment of "Inside JagNation," the official podcast of the University of South Alabama Department of Athletics, is Amanda Minahan from the Jaguar softball program.

The senior outfielder will begin her final season at the collegiate level Thursday when South faces Central Arkansas Thursday at 5 p.m. (CST) at Jaguar Field, with USA remaining home over the weekend while playing host to the Sand Dollar Classic Friday-Sunday.

The Oak Park, Ill., resident has recorded a .304 career batting average with 20 doubles, eight triples, 17 home runs and 78 RBI while going 17-for-18 on stolen-base attempts in 136 appearances (133 of those are starts).  Coming into the 2017 campaign, Minahan — a second-team all-Sun Belt Conference selection as a sophomore — ranks in the top 10 in five statistical categories on South's all-time list including tied for second with a .521 slugging percentage, tied for third in triples, tied for sixth in home runs and seventh in batting average.

Off the field, she has earned Sun Belt academic honors following each of her first three years and was named by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association an All-America Scholar after last season.

Click here for Episode 27 of "Inside JagNation"

In the episode Minahan talks about the upcoming year including her individual and team goals for the spring.  She also explains a typical Jaguar practice session, how she and her teammates prepare for a game once they arrive at the field and the difficulty in playing multiple games with an extended break during pre-conference tournaments the opening month of the season.  Other topics Minahan addresses are why she began playing softball in her youth, when she considered playing at the collegiate level, how she discovered South Alabama and her plans once she earns her degree this spring.

Click here for "Inside JagNation" archives

Every episode of "Inside JagNation" is available to be downloaded for free on iTunes by using a search for "South Alabama Jaguars."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

—USA—