Leading up to the start of the 2023 South Alabama softball season, we will preview all the position groups on the Jaguar roster.
The four-part series examines each position group ahead of the season-opening tournament, the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Fla., on Feb. 10-12. This installment looks at South Alabama's outfielders.
RETURNING STARTERS (2)
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Mackenzie Brasher (Sr., 5-5) – Was a first-team all-Sun Belt Conference and third-team NFCA all-South region selection as all 46 of her starts came in center field
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Victoria Ortiz (R-Sr., 5-6) – Made 43 starts in right field for the Jags, batted .317 and was named to the SBC all-tournament squad
OTHER RETURNING PLAYERS (2)
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Erin McGlothlin (R-Fr., 5-7) – Appeared in six games in 2022 before suffering a season-ending injury
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Bailey Welch (Jr., 5-6) – Started 10 in left field of her 29 games played in 2022, and two of her four hits were doubles
NEWCOMERS (1)
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Brooklynn Bockhaus (Fr., 5-7) – Left holding Haughton's career home run and RBI records, while setting HHS's single-season records for home runs (19) and RBI (64) as a junior
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
- Caroline "Pepper" Nichols, a second-team all-conference selection a season ago, is the lone starter South Alabama will have to replace in the outfield
- Brasher led the club at the plate with a .341 batting average, while also pacing the roster in hits (46), runs scored (30), stolen bases (20) and multi-hit games (11)
- Brasher's 20 stolen bases were seventh-most in the SBC, and the center fielder committed just two errors in 72 defensive chances
- Brasher was also one of two players on the Jaguar roster to have a 21-game reached base safely streak in 2022, while also having an 11-game hit streak. She reached base 35 times during the 21-game stretch, accumulating 27 hits and eight walks
- Ortiz led South Alabama with 26 extra-base hits, including 12 doubles and 12 home runs, while also driving in a team-high 34 runs. She enters the 2023 campaign ranked seventh in both career extra bases (58) and home runs (22)
FOLLOW THE JAGS
For complete coverage of South Alabama Softball, follow the Jags on social media @SouthAlabamaSB (Twitter), /SouthAlabamaSB (Facebook), @SouthAlabamaSB (Instagram) or visit the official home of South Alabama athletics at usajaguars.com.
