Date: 2/8
Position: Infield
Position Coach: Becky Clark/Kristina McCain
 
Returning Letterwinners (Key stats): Emily Messer (53 GP; .321, 59 H, 47 R, .380 slg%); Kristian Foster (.272 avg., 39 GP, 22 H, 10 R, .395 slg%, .410 ob%); Stephanie Pilkington (53 GP, .335 avg, 52 H, 36 R, 33 RBI, .465 slg%, .464 ob%); Kaleigh Todd (51 GP, .222 avg; .395 slg%, .410 on%); Alex Breeden (7 GP, .235 avg, .316 ob%)
 
Letterwinners lost (Key stats): Kaitlyn Griffith (53 GP, .275 avg, 41 H, 20 R, .597 slg%, .352 ob%, 13HR); Amanda Herron (52 GP, .286 avg, 38 H, 14 R, 15 2B, .466 slg%, .421 ob%); Chloe Rathburn (53 GP, .371 avg, 59 H, 21 R, 53 RBI, .541 slg%, .461 ob%)
 
Newcomers (Yr., Previous school): Dayla Gulledge (Fr., Rehobeth [Ala.] High School); Paige Holmes (Fr., The Bolles [Fla.] High School); Haleigh Lane (Fr., Curry [Ala.] High School); Savanna Mayo (Fr., Mannford [Ark.] High School); Taylor Stevens (Fr., Baker [Ala.] High School)
 
Miscellaneous Notes
-2016 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference recipient Emily Messer returns to lead the Jaguar infield from third base, where she has started the past two seasons. Messer led the team in runs scored last year and tied for tops in hits. Her run total tied for the third-most in USA single-season history.
 
-Sophomores Kaleigh Todd and Kristian Foster split time at second base last year, and, with the graduation of former Jaguar standout Kaitlyn Griffith, the pair will man the Jaguar middle infield.
 
-Alex Breeden returns for a fifth year after earning a medical redshirt following a head injury early last season. Breeden, Haleigh Lane and Savanna Mayo have each been getting work at first. Dayla Gulledge will add depth to the middle infield.
 
-Stephanie Pilkington and Paige Holmes have been rotating behind the plate, with Pilkington also getting time in right field. The Lake City, Fla., native started 20 games at catcher last year. Taylor Stevens will also add depth behind the plate this season.

Kristina McCain
-On returning experience in the infield and at the plate: "Having Messer back is great, because she brings a ton of experience and senior leadership to the infield, and, also, Kaleigh Todd and Kristian Foster played in a lot of big games this year. From a defensive standpoint, I feel really good about what we bring this year. Haleigh Lowe will also be important at the plate this year, as she will bring a lot of power to our lineup. We had a great offensive offseason, and I look forward to seeing us do well at the plate this year."
 
Emily Messer
-On leading the infield:  "We've got a lot of talent in the infield this year, and we return big-game experience. Kaleigh and Kristian are both great to play with. The newcomers have really gelled quickly. We have a vocal infield, and we have depth, too."
 
-On the progression of newcomers:  "Everyone has been working really hard, and the new players have come a long way through the offseason."
 
Kaleigh Todd
-On her role as a returner with experience:  "I try to lead by example; the coaches have been helping me to be more vocal. I played in a lot of big games last year, and I felt like I came a long way as a freshman. I've learned a lot from watching Emily Messer play; she's a great leader."
 
-On playing alongside Kristian Foster in the middle infield:  "We've been playing together since we were really young, and we mesh really well and communicate with each other. I know exactly what to expect from her, and she is the same way with me."
 
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).