MOBILE, Ala. | Coming off a solid showing during the opening weekend of the season, South Alabama returns home to host the South Alabama Invitational presented by Marriott Mobile this weekend at Jaguar Field. 

The Jags (4-1) will open up tournament play on Friday versus Central Michigan at 5:30 p.m. South is also scheduled to take on Northern Illinois (2 p.m.) and Eastern Kentucky (7 p.m.) on Saturday and then face UAB (1:30 p.m.) on Sunday.

Offensively, South was led at the plate at the NFCA Leadoff Classic by Gabby Stagner who was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week on Tuesday after batting .529 with four extra-base hits - three doubles and a home run - four runs scored and four RBI. Stagner had at least one hit in all five outings, including three multi-hit efforts over the weekend.

Freshman Olivia Branstetter also had an outstanding opening weekend as she batted .400 and drove in a team-best five runs. Like Stagner, the third baseman also had three doubles and a home run. Mackenzie Brasher (.333) was a perfect 4-for-4 on the base paths. Like Stagner, Brasher and Sasha Willems (.294) have had at least one hit in all five games thus far this spring. 

The Jags were led in the circle by senior righty Olivia Lackie (3-1) who was named to the all-tournament team after striking out 25 batters in 16.2 innings of work, while limiting opponents to a .121 batting average and a 1.68 earned run average.

GAME INFORMATION
Site: Jaguar Field (Mobile, Ala.)
Game Notes (.pdf)

vs. Central Michigan
Date: 2/16
Time: 5:30 p.m.

THE SERIES
First meeting in the all-time series 

Northern Illinois
Date: 2/17
Time: 2 p.m.

THE SERIES
First meeting in the all-time series 

Eastern Kentucky 
Date: 2/17
Time: 7 p.m.

THE SERIES
All-time series: South Alabama leads 1-0
In Mobile: --
In Richmond: --
At Neutral Site: South Alabama leads 1-0
Current Streak: USA 1

UAB
Date: 2/18
Time: 1:30 p.m.

THE SERIES
All-time series: South Alabama leads 12-3
In Mobile: South Alabama leads 5-1
In Birmingham: South Alabama leads 6-2
At Neutral Site: South Alabama leads 1-0
Current Streak: USA 1

NOTES
•    South Alabama holds a 12-5 mark all-time in its 17 home openers
•    In those 17 previous season openers, USA has scored a total of 90 runs (5.3 per game), while allowing 43 (2.5 per game) runs to the opposition for a +47-run differential
•    South has recorded three shutouts in its home openers
•    South Alabama has hosted the South Alabama Invitational eight times and holds a 17-12 (.586) record at the event
•    Stagner, Willems and Brasher has each had a hit in the first five games with Stagner recording multiple hits in three of those contests
•    Brasher (63) is 6 stolen bases from moving into a tie with Evelyne Pare (69, 2007-08) for second for career stolen bases and 12 away from tying Kaleigh Todd's (75, 2015-18) program mark
•    The center fielder is also 7 runs scored shy of matching Christin Crocker (120, 2009-12) for fifth

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