Date: 2/1
Position: Pitchers/Catchers/Utility Players

Returning Letterwinners (Key stats): Pitchers: Olivia Lackie, So. (19-12, 2.34 ERA, 194.2, 42 App, 26 GS, 17 CG, 8 SHO, 250 K, .193 opp. avg); Allie Hughen, Sr. (6-4, 2.09 ERA, 73.2, 19 App, 15 GS, 2 CG, 2 SHO, 32 K, .209 opp. avg); Jenna Hardy, Jr. (4-3, 4.32 ERA, 58.1, 19 App, 10 GS, 2 CG, 43 K); Kaitlyn Hughes, So. (2-2, 5.58 ERA, 21.1, 10 App, 1 GS, 7 K)

Catchers: Kassidy Wilcox, Jr. (25-17 GP-GS, .213 avg, 13 hits, 9 runs, 2 2B, 3 HRs, 7 RBI); Emma Kropp, Jr. (20-8 GP-GS, .207 avg, 6 hits, 1 runs, 1 2B, 1 3Bs, 4 RBI)

Utility: Kamdyn Kvistad, Sr. (47-43 GP-GS, .248 avg, 31 hits, 28 runs, 8 2Bs, 10 HRs, 27 RBI, 69 total bases, .552 SLG%); Abby Allen, So. (30-24 GP-GS, .213 avg, 13 hits, 9 runs, 2 2Bs, 3 HRs, 7 RBI); Janeah Finney, Sr. (8 GP, 4 runs)

Letterwinners lost (Key stats): Pitchers: Kelsie Rivers (0-0, 18.38 ERA, 2.2 IP, 2 App, 2 K), Lexie Hutchins (0-0, 99.00 ERA, 0.0 IP, 1 APP) Catchers: None Utility Players: None

Newcomers (Yr., Previous school): Pitchers: Rachel Everett (Fr., Hartland, Mich.) Catchers: None Utility Players: Hannah Ogea (R-Fr., University Lab HS), Stephanie Gonzalez (Fr., Pembroke, Fla.)

Miscellaneous Notes
- Both Hughen and Kvistad have chosen to take advantage of the extra year granted to players as result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Hughen missed the final 20 games of the season after suffering a knee injury prior to the UTA series. At the time of her injury, Hughen sixth in the league in ERA (2.09) and opponent batting average (.209), and eighth in innings pitched (73.2).
- In her first season, Lackie earned first-team all-Sun Belt honors and third-team NFCA all-South region accolades after finishing the season with 19 wins, a 2.34 ERA and a freshman program-record 250 strikeouts, to go along with four saves and eight total shutouts – seven solo and one combined
- She led the Sun Belt in innings pitched, was second in strikeouts and tied for second in saves, while also ranking third in opposing batting average, strikeouts looking, fourth in wins and sixth in ERA. Lackie finished the season sitting among the NCAA leaders in both strikeouts (14th) and saves (T-14th).
- Hardy moved into the No. 2 role following Hughen's injury and was named to the all-tournament team at the conference tournament.
- Hughes made 10 appearances in the circle with nine of those coming in relief. Her lone start came in game two of the Sun Belt series versus UTA.
- Kvistad enters the 2022 season tied with two other players for the career leader mark in home runs with 28 after hitting 11 home runs a year ago. Of her 49 starts, a majority (30) came behind the plate.
- Allen recorded one of South Alabama's two home runs at the Gainesville Regional. Two of her three home runs came in the postseason. Allen was also the program's 2021 "Extra Mile" Award recipient.
- Ogea redshirted last season, but left University Lab HS in Baton Rouge, La., holding career records in hits, singles, home runs, total bases, stolen bases, batting average, RBI, walks, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. Of her 107 career hits, 59 went for extra bases.
- Also slated to see time at the utility position are Kropp, Finney and Gonzalez
- Along with Wilcox, Kropp could also see time at the catcher spot.

Head coach Becky Clark
-On Olivia Lackie's freshman season and how she has worked to become an even more dominant pitcher: 
"Liv is a major part of what we do and played a huge role in our success last year. It was impressive to see what she was able to do as a freshman on the national stage and she continues to set high standards for herself in terms of performance and execution. The offseason was productive for her as she worked incredibly hard in the weight room and conditioning. Throughout the fall, she worked on adding additional pitches to her arsenal as well. I'm excited to see her continue to grow and look forward to a great year for her and her team."
-On the importance of having Allie Hughen back and the production of Jenna Hardy towards the end of last season after Hughen's injury: 
"Losing Allie at the end of last season was a huge blow for us. At the time, we didn't talk about her injury a lot because it was important for the team to keep moving forward, but in reality, not having her in the rotation was a big loss for our team. Allie brings such a steady presence and compete mentality to our pitching staff. It has definitely been great to see her back out on the mound competing this preseason. When Allie went down it opened a door for Jenna [Hardy] to step in and help her team as well. Her performance at the conference tournament was a big piece of us being able to make it into the championship game and also earning a spot in postseason. Like the other pitchers, she has worked hard this off-season and is ready to make an impact this year."
-On what you've seen out of the other members of the staff thus far this spring: 
"KK Hughes stayed on campus this past summer as well in order to lift and run and also worked incredibly hard in the bullpen during the fall. She has taken a big step forward and has looked great this preseason. I think she will be another big piece of what we are doing on the mound and gives us the ability to show hitters a different look from the rest of our staff."
-On the importance of offensive production from your designated player position: 
"Because of our overall depth, the designated player position is going to be a huge spot in the lineup for us. I think that spot will be as competitive as any position on the field. Some of it will depend on match ups and some of it will just come down to who is swinging the bat the best and having the best at-bats at the time. It's great to have the depth that we do because it creates competition in practice and helps our hitters push themselves day in and day out."
-On the catcher position and how you see the battle for that position playing out: 
"Once again we have a tremendous amount of competition at this position. Kam gave us the most innings back there last year and has once again worked incredibly hard in the Fall and preseason. Her overall toughness and compete mentality are exactly what you want from your catcher, plus she has been swinging the bat really well. Emma is another one who has put in the work and competes every day. Her arm strength is always a positive back and there she has the ability to drive the ball as well. Kass sees the game and has such a great overall game IQ. I think she also handles the pitching staff well and understands what each one needs. We have had two freshmen working there as well. Gonzalez and Stagner are both incredibly athletic and have great arms. They will only continue to get better and more comfortable back there the more action they see. Plus, they are both squaring up a lot of balls so it is going to be extremely competitive behind the plate."

Sophomore RHP Olivia Lackie
-On what she's done during the offseason to put her in position to take that next step: 
"One thing I've done differently this offseason compared to last offseason is that I've done a lot more running. With our new strength coach, I feel that we've done a lot more to prepare ourselves in the weight room and in our conditioning. I feel that will really help us out on the field."
-On the importance of having Hughen back: 
"Having Allie back is really important because we worked really well together. She's a big asset to our pitching staff and having her back adds a different dynamic and gives us a different look because she is very good at off-speed pitches. Her ball is very spinny and she's able to keep hitters off balance."
-On what the other members of the pitching staff bring to the group: 
"Everyone brings something special to the table when you talk about our pitching staff. KK [Hughes] does well bringing her drop curve and drop ball to the plate. Jenna Hardy does a great job with her curve ball and her change up. Our freshman pitcher, Rachel [Everett] has a really good change up as well. I feel those are some things that will be really beneficial for us in the circle this year."

Senior C Kamdyn Kvistad
-On having the extra year: 
"It's been hard to pull a lot of good things out of Covid, but being able to get an extra year was definitely one of the brighter things. I'm very thankful to have the opportunity to come back and further my softball career along with my education. I'm excited to get back out on the field with my teammates and get the season rolling."
-On being in position to achieve several milestone program marks with the extra year: 
"Every time I go out on the field, my mission is to give my best effort to help the team win. Obviously, they're great to accomplish, but whenever I go out and play, I'm not thinking about those milestones. I'm just thinking about what I can do to help my team win. I'm not really the type of person who wants to shine a light on themselves. I don't really put too much attention to those things, because at the end of the day the thing that matters most to me is our team's success. We want to win ball games, we want to have fun while doing it and we want to advance as far as we can in the season. The milestones definitely help us get to those points, but at the end of the day I'm just focused on my team."
-On her versatility and being able to play multiple positions: 
"Everyday seems to be a surprise when I show up to practice and I honestly love it. I wouldn't want to have it any other way. I like that coach has the option to put me where ever she needs me and where ever the team needs me. I like playing different positions and getting different opportunities to play those positions. It keeps me on my toes and I never get bored or tired of playing a position because by the time I get tired of it, it seems I'm then being moved to a different one. It's a fun role to have and I'm just glad my athletic abilities allow me to find a spot that works for myself and my team on the field."
-On what she's seen out of some of the other players battling for time at both the catcher and utility positions: 
"Every single position is up for grabs because at the end of the day, we want the best nine out on the field. We have both returners and newcomers who are battling and everyone is handling that competition well. We are competing everyday in practice to earn those spots and we're doing the best we can. All of the catchers are a hard-working group. We're all fighting for the same position but we all respect each other and want the best nine to be out on the field."

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