Date: 2/4
Position: Infielders

Returning Letterwinners (Key stats): Kaleigh Todd, Sr. (55-55 GP-GS, .398 avg, 74 hits, 43 runs, 3 2B, 4 3B, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 88 TB, .473 slg%, .454 ob%, 19-25 sb-att), Kristian Foster, Sr. (55-55 GP, .299 avg, 49 hits, 18 runs, 5 2B, 3 HR, 38 RBI, 63 TB, .372 ob%), Savanna Mayo, Jr. (55-54 GP-GS, .234, 34 hits, 18 runs, 8 2B, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 57 TB, .393 slg%, .321 ob%), Abby Krzywiecki, So. (41-33 GP-GS, .191 avg, 18 hits, 10 runs, 5 2B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 29 TB, .979 fld%), Katelyn Gruich, So. (31-27 GP-GS, .151 avg, 11 hits, 10 runs, 2 2B, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 22 TB, .988 fld%), Bailey Murphy, So. (5-3 GP-GS, 1 RBI)

Letterwinners lost (Key stats): Marissa Landrum (19 GP, 3 runs, 1-1 sb-sba)

Newcomers (Yr., Previous school): Brittani Reid, So. (Kansas University), Carmen Byrd, Sr. (Spring Hill College), Jordyn Calderon, Fr. (Jackson Memorial High School), Hannah Smith, Fr. (Catholic High School)

Miscellaneous Notes
- For the second straight season, Kaleigh Todd and Kristian Foster started all 55 games during the 2017 season at the second base positions and short stop, respectively and have started 100-plus consecutive games at the positions.  The duo were the only two Jaguars to start every game a year ago.
- Both Todd and Foster were each named preseason all-Sun Belt earlier this month.
- Todd was selected first-team all-Sun Belt last season for the second-straight year after leading the club in batting average (.398), runs scored (41), hits (74), triples (4), total bases (88), stolen bases (19) and on-base percentage (.454) and ranking among the Sun Belt leaders in batting average (second), triples (third), hits (third), stolen bases (third), runs scored (seventh) and on-base percentage (10th).  
- Her 74 hits also ranked 35th in the NCAA and was the second-highest in a single season at USA.  Todd also led the club with 25 multiple-hit outings, which set a new program best for a season.
- The junior also earned honorable mention Preseason All-American honors from FastPitch News prior to the start of the 2017 season and following the season competed against the US Women's National Team in a two-game series.
- Foster earned all-league accolades for the first time in her career a year ago picking up second-team honors, where she led the club with 38 RBI with 24 of those runs driven in coming against Sun Belt competition.  
- She was a run producer over South's final 29 games as she drove in 27 runs and had seven multi-RBI performances and during that stretch, she had a seven-game (3/25 - 4/5) and a six-game (4/14 - 4/23) stretch of games with at least one RBI.  During her seven-game RBI streak, she drove in 11 runs and during her six-game RBI streak, she had eight RBI.  
- Foster finished second on the club in walks with and ranked third on the team with 63 total bases.  She led the team with 10 multi-RBI outings and her 13 multi-hit games were second-most on the roster.
- All 54 of Savanna Mayo's starts came at third base during the 2017 season.  Her eight doubles were second-most on the roster, trailing just Amanda Minahan (11).
- Transfers Brittani Reid (Kansas) and Carmen Byrd (Spring Hill) are also expected to contribute in the South lineup.
- Byrd left the Badger program ranked among the all-time leaders in several single-season categories — batting average (.430, second, 2015), runs (50, third, 2016) and (40, tied-eighth, 2015), hits (64, fourth, 2015), triples (7, tied-first, 2015).

Head Coach Becky Clark
-On the experience of the middle with Kaleigh Todd and Kristian Foster: "The overall athletic ability and experience between Todd and Foster is going to be a major factor for us.  They both have so many qualities, but the one thing that helps our club the most is their consistency.  I know every day what I am going to get out of them both mentally and physically.  At our level, the ability to have a consistent approach to practice and game day is such a huge key to both individual and team success so their leadership in that area is big for our team."

-On the progress Kaleigh Todd has made and expectations of the senior: "Not to be redundant but I look for her to continue to be mentally consistent throughout the season.  When she is mentally consistent then her athleticism and experience take care of the rest.  Kaleigh is an athlete and a competitor so when she manages her mental game everything falls into place for her.  She is a ball player and loves to compete which are two great characteristics.  I look for her to be a major factor for us both offensively, defensively, and from a leadership standpoint."

-On the development of Kristian Foster since her arrival on campus and the leadership she brings: "I can say the same things for Kristian that I did for Kaleigh.  Her mental consistency is one of her main strengths and allows her overall athleticism to work.  Foster is a ball player and knows the game.  She has a high softball IQ and that intelligent approach plays over into the rest of the team.  Offensively, I think she understands process and how to work through at-bats.  Defensively, she is fundamentally sound and is not going to beat herself.  Obviously, she is a huge piece of the puzzle for us and will play a key role in all facets this season."

-On the progression of Abby Krzywiecki and Katelyn Gruich during the offseason: "Both Abby and KK are incredibly driven people and neither is willing to settle for second best.  That internal drive is the single biggest factor when it comes to what makes individuals grow and succeed.  As freshmen, they were trying to make the transition but this year both are more comfortable and confident which plays into them being more mentally consistent.  They have both taken big steps forward on the field, but I am equally proud of them for the leadership that they have brought this year.  I anticipate both of them stepping up and playing a big role this season."

Senior Kristian Foster
-On the chemistry she has with Kaleigh Todd: "Todd and I have played together since we were young.  The chemistry we have on the field is a huge advantage for us.  We both know how the other plays and what we are capable of, so a lot of the time all it takes is a look to know what the other is thinking.  We know how to communicate to one another, so it's a major benefit for us defensively."

-On playing next to Kaleigh Todd: "Todd and I have known each other and played together for years.  Playing next to her has been incredible; she's an aggressive and talented ball player.  We get excited for each other and push each other on the field.  We're two competitive people, so being able to work alongside each other is always fun."

-On what she attributes last season's development to: "I think just really settling in and really trusting the process is where I found my success.  I'm a firm believer in hard-work paying off, and that's something we pride ourselves on in this program.  We put in the work, time, and effort, so trusting the process and not trying to do too much is really what helped me get where I needed to be.  In this offseason, I've really tried to focus on staying consistent in my swing and mental approach.  We've been preaching consistency this year, so I'm excited to see where this season takes us."

-On earning all-conference honors last season: "It's incredible. Like I said before, I'm a firm believer in hard-work paying off and to see that happen is awesome. There is a ton of talent in this conference, so to earn all-conference honors is humbling."

-On the improvements she has seen in Abby Krzywiecki and Katelyn Gruich: "Abby and KK both have made tremendous steps forward in being leaders on this team.  I love seeing some of the younger girls step up and play such major roles.  In my opinion, the transition to college softball is harder mentally and that's an area I've seen the two of them taking steps forward in this year.  They both play powerful roles in the lineup as well, and it's awesome to be able to play alongside such great people."

-On what newcomers she sees being able to contribute and the experience Carmen Byrd brings: "I see Hannah Smith, Brittani Reid and Carmen Byrd stepping in and contributing this season.  Carmen's experience at this level is huge and she adds depth to our middle infield.  She knows what it takes mentally and physically to compete at this level and her experience allows her to help lead this team."

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).

Join the Bullpen Club, the softball specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund.  Members have access to purchase parking passes and receive Jaguar Softball gear.  All donations to the Bullpen Club go directly to support the South Alabama softball program.  For more information on how you can join visit:  jaguarathleticfund.com/bullpenclub.

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