Date: 1/28
Position: Infielders
Position Coach: Kristina McCain

Returning Letterwinners (Key stats): Katelyn Gruich, Sr. (48-47 GP- GS, .265 avg, 36 hits, 25 runs, 5 2Bs, 9 HRs, 25 RBI, 68 total bases, 17 BBs, 11 HBP, .500 SLG%, .390 OB%), Abby Krzwiecki, Sr. (42-40 GP-GS, .252 avg, 30 hits, 12 runs, 5 2Bs, 1 3B, 4 HRs, 23 RBI, 49 total bases, .412 SLG%, .357 OB%), Kennedy Cronan, So. (49-49 GP-GS, .324 avg, 48 hits, 31 runs, 9 2bs, 11 HRs, 38 RBI, 22 BBs, 2 HBP, 90 total bases, .608 SLG%, .414 OB%), Holly Stewart, So. (33-7 GP-GS, .239 avg, 11 hits, 2 2Bs, 10 RBI, 13 total bases, .283 SLG%, .280 OB%), Jordyn Calderon, So. (17-0 GP-GS, 9 runs, 1 BB), Caroline Nichols, So. (38-1 GP-GS, 14 runs)

Letterwinners lost (Key stats): Savanna Mayo (43-42 GP-GS, .200 avg, 21 hits, 11 runs, 2 2Bs, 3 HRs, 18 RBI, 32 total bases, .305 SLG%, .248 OB%, 1-1 SB att.)

Newcomers (Yr., Previous school): Allie Hughen (Jr., Palomar College), Camryn McLemore (Fr., Saraland HS), Breanna Barlow (Fr. Excel HS), Lexi Hutchins (Fr., North Desota [La.] HS)

Miscellaneous Notes
- Gruich split time at first and at the designated player position during the first part of the 2019 season, while starting the final 26 games at third.
- The nine home runs by Gruich tied with three other former Jags for sixth-most in a single season, while also tying for second-highest total in a season by a junior at South. She also ranked third in the Sun Belt with 11 hit-by-pitch.
- Krzywiecki started 31 games at first for the Jags a year ago and 10 of her 30 hits went for extra bases.
- Cronan earned third-team NFCA all-region honors last season after starting all 49 games at short for South as a freshman. Her 48 hits were third most on the Jaguar roster with 20 of those going for extra bases.
- Cronan had 11 home runs which were tied with Louisiana's Sarah Hudek for fourth-most in the Sun Belt Conference. The 11 home runs also tied Haley Fagan's freshman program mark and were tied for second-most by a South Alabama player in a season. Her 38 RBI rank among the program's top 10 for a season, while her .608 slugging percentage was third highest and ranked seventh in the SBC.
- Stewart started seven total games as a freshman, but was South's most effective pinch-hitter. She is the daughter of Jaguar defensive coordinator Greg Stewart.
- Both Calderon and Nichols were primarily used as pinch runners a year ago scoring a combined 23 runs.
- Hughen batted .365 as a sophomore at Palomar College, recording 10 multi-hit games and 21 runs driven in.
- Hutchins was selected to compete for the Louisiana High School Coaches Association & Louisiana Softball Coaches Association East-West All-Star Games as a member of the West Team last year.
- Hughen and Hutchins are also supposed to see time both in the circle and in the infield.
- Brasher lettered six seasons in softball at Gulf Shores HS, batting .410 with a .464 on-base percentage over the course of her career according to MaxPreps.com. She was twice named to the AL.com Coastal Alabama all-region team and a two-time 6A all-state selection,
- McLemore was part of a senior class at Saraland HS that conclude their careers as the winningest class in program history compiling 151 wins. She was named Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) Class 6A first-team all-state squad as a senior, and also named to AL.com's Coastal Alabama All-Region Softball Team and AL.com Super All-State Softball Team. McLemore earned first-team all-region honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

Assistant Coach Kristina McCain
- On having experience returning at both corner positions:
"As a coach, experience is something you can't teach, so to have those returners at two dynamic positions on the field has been incredible. The leaders that those players have been on the field for us in practice during this preseason has been immeasurable and I expect big things from all of them this season."
- On Kennedy Cronan's continued development from her freshman season to now:
"Ken is a ball player that loves to compete, and we have seen her take her game to another level this fall and into preseason practice. She is a player that understands there is always work to be done and never settles, so that mentality has allowed her to better herself each and every day."
- On the newcomers and who could compete for time on the field:
"We have been blessed this year to not only bring in some talented newcomers but great people as well. They have all been fun to coach. As far as the infield goes and at the plate, [Allie] Hughen, [Camryn] McLemore and [Breanna] Barlow have stepped up their game. Hughen is a five-tool player that I anticipate helping us in many capacities this season. Barlow and McLemore are competitors that come to work day in and day out. Their ball player mentalities will allow them to compete for a spot right away."
- On what she's seen out of the hitters on their approach at the plate this fall:
"The biggest thing that I have seen from our offense from the fall leading into preseason practice is them buying in to the aggressiveness that we talk about at the plate on a day-in day-out basis. This has been a very focused group offensively in all aspects of the offensive game. If we can maintain our mentality, I expect another great offensive season."

Senior 3B Katelyn Gruich
-On her approach to senior leadership:
"For me, it's just making sure that everybody is on the same page and helping others get up to speed if they are having trouble. I just want to be able to give back as much I can to them. Hopefully when they get in my position, they can do the same thing for other players.

-On turning the corner offensively last season:
"It was not making it about myself and not putting so much pressure on myself at the plate. It was more about the mental game for me. I didn't worry so much about succeeding or failing, I just focused more on having quality at-bats and working from pitch to pitch."

-On what her goals and expectations are for the program heading into her final season as a Jag:
"I personally would like to win a conference championship and return to postseason. I feel like we have the team capable of making a run at it. There is a lot of grit on this team and no one wants to take 'no' as an answer. Collectively as a senior class, we take a lot of pride in giving back to the program. We want to instill good qualities and values in our underclassmen that they can use to return the program to the level it once was a few years ago. "

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. 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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