2017 SOFTBALL
SOFTBALL PREVIEW 2017
Spring Hill College softball head coach Alison Sellers-Cook feels confident about her team as it enters the 2017 season. “We have more depth this year than in any of my previous seasons here at Spring Hill,” she says. “We have depth in hitting and pitching as well as versatility around the diamond in our position players. Lots of our players can step into any position and not lose a step.”
The starting Badger infield is solid, but Sellers-Cook hesitates to say all the positions are set in stone. “We are so loaded with depth this year that I feel confident inserting people into starting roles if need be,” she says. Beginning at first base, sophomore Madeline Burchell of Frierson, La., returns while sophomore MaKayla Herrin of Wiggins, Miss., is also back. Freshmen Bayleigh Anders of Baton Rouge, La., and Sarah Johnson of Eunice, La., are both ready to step in at second base. At third base, junior Rene Kausin from Salinas, Calif., returns following a solid performance last season while Anders and junior Randi DeArmitt of Metairie, La., will each get chances to test their skills at the hot corner as the season progresses.
Junior Carmen Byrd of Mt. Vernon, Ala., is back at shortstop after two excellent seasons on the midfield in 2015 and 2016. Sophomore Tiffany Fairchild from Defiance, Ohio, will also battle for time with Byrd as the middle infield takes shape. The catching role is back in the safe hands of sophomore Kali Clement of Thibodaux, La., but freshman Payton Adams of Saint Bernard, La., also has impressed the Badger coaches with her abilities. Adding to the SHC depth behind the plate, sophomore transfer Aly Fowler of Dripping Springs, Texas, and freshman Cassidy Mehr from Tallahassee, Fla., are two more weapons
in Sellers-Cook’s arsenal.
Freshman Savannah Woodruff from Saraland, Ala., will step into the Badger left field to begin her collegiate career while centerfield will be patrolled by senior veteran Jenna Charnock out of Baker High School in Mobile. Junior Brooke Vosloh of Destrehan, La., takes over in right field with DeArmitt, Adams, Clement and sophomore Abigail Solomon of Hoover, Ala., also vying for time.
Senior Mary Beth Glass of Hoover will fill the designated player role, but she will experience serious competition from DeArmitt, freshman Baylie Doiron of Zachary, La., and sophomore Katelyn Wilson from Mary G. Montgomery High School in Mobile.
In the pitching circle, sophomore Danielle Clark of Saraland who earned an 11-6 record with a strong 1.96 ERA in her freshman campaign and Doiron have secured the starting nods from her head coach. Wilson and freshman Abby Grace Praytor of Hoover are also ready to step into the fray at a moment’s notice. Freshman Julia Waters will also provide valuable reserve depth for the Badger staff this spring.
As for the SHC offense, Sellers-Cook sees her biggest problem being how to select a lineup. “Our bats are very strong this year,” she says. “It’s going to be a daily challenge to keep all of our sticks in the batting order. It really is just that deep.” She concludes that her team’s strength this year is in its depth and as well as its offensive abilities. “We are a very strong ball team this year,” she says.
“As coaches, we’ve been excited to get this season started since the team reported to practice back in the fall. I think this team is special and will accomplish some very special things this year.”
COACHING STAFF
Alison Sellers-Cook - Head Coach
Alison Sellers-Cook begins her 12th season as head coach of the Badgers after serving two seasons as an assistant coach and following a spectacular playing career at Spring Hill College. In 2013, she lead the Badgers to a program-best 49-17 record, the championship of the NAIA Opening Round’s USC-Beaufort Bracket and a spot in the championship game of the NAIA National Championship Tournament held in Columbus, Ga. Also that year, she was named the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Coach of the Year while the entire SHC coaching staff (Lauren Biediger, Jenny Laird and Sellers-Cook) was named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) National Coaching Staff of the Year.
In two seasons of play in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), Sellers-Cook has directed the Badgers to a perfect 42-0 regular season record and also won the 2016 SIAC Coach of the Year honor.
In 2007, Sellers-Cook led the Badgers to their first Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) regular season championship and a second consecutive NAIA Region XIII Tournament berth. Following the season, she was named the 2007 GCAC Softball Coach of the Year.
Steve
Alcorn - Assistant Coach
Alcorn joined the Spring Hill staff in the fall of 2016 after spending the 2015-16 season at The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. Alcorn handled most of the hitting and pitching duties at Wooster. He has coached for the last 16 years at many levels including high school and “Gold Ball” with Wagners Gold and Rock Gold. He also has instructed at numerous camps and clinics along the East Coast.
Kirstyn Joiner - Graduate Assistant
Kirstyn Joiner joined the Badger softball staff in the summer of 2016. A native of Milton, Florida, she is currently working toward a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Ethics at SHC.
Joiner lettered in both softball and golf at Pace (Fla.) High School and played collegiately at the University of Mobile (UM) where she appeared at both catcher and third base. She was named to the Gulf States Athletic Conference (GCAC) All-Conference team three years and is currently listed in the record books at UM for Career Batting Average (.346) and Single Season Sacrifices (13). She has also served as an assistant softball coach with the Lady Pirates of Pensacola State College.
GENERAL FACTS
Name of School: Spring Hill College
City/State/Zip: Mobile, AL 36608
President: Christopher Puto, Ph.D.
Founded: 1830
Enrollment: 1,496
Nickname: Badgers
School Colors: Purple, white
Home Facility: Murray Field
Capacity: 300
Affiliation: NCAA Division II
Conference: Southern Intercollegiate
Athletic
Division: West
Athletic Director: Jim Hall
Alma Mater: Grinnell College, 1995
Faculty Athletic Representative: Steve Almquist, Ph.D.
Compliance: Chad LeBlanc
Senior Woman Administrator: Alison Sellers-Cook
Athletic Department Phone: 251-380-3485
Athletic Department Fax: 251-460-2196
Sports Information Director: Jim Stennett
Alma Mater: Mississippi State, 1990
SID Phone: (251) 380-4468
SID Email: jstennett@shc.edu
Athletic Web Site: www.shcbadgers.com
Twitter: SHCBADGERS
Facebook: SHCBADGERS
Instagram: SHCBADGERS
COACHING STAFF
Head Coach: Alison Sellers-Cook
Alma Mater: Spring Hill, 2003
Record at school/years: 296-247 / 12th season
Career record/years: 296-247 / 12th season
Office Phone: (251) 380-3489
Assistant Coach: Steve Alcorn (1st season)
Graduate Assistant: Kirstyn Joiner (1st season)
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Justin Goonan
Athletic Trainer: Brian Gronewold, ATC
Assistant Athletic Trainers: Abigail Hunt, ATC; Dani Ellis, ATC
Office Phone: 251-380-3493
TEAM INFORMATION
Overall Record Last Year: 37-14
Conference Record/Finish: 24-0 SSAC West (1st of 6)
Last Postseason Appearance: 2014
Result: Lost 4-0 at Oklahoma City in NAIA Opening Round Championship Game
Final NCAA Postseason Ranking: N/A No. of Players returning/lost/new: 11/5/11
2016 RESULTS
Date
Opponent
Feb. 4 University of North Alabama
NCAA Division II Gulf Coast Invitational
Feb. 5 vs. Flagler College
Feb. 6 vs. Lindenwood University
Site
Result
Murray Field L, 2-3 (8)
Gulf Shores, Ala. W, 4-0
Gulf Shores, Ala. W, 18-2 (6) vs. The University of Alabama in Huntsville
Feb. 7 vs. University of North Georgia
Feb. 9 at Florida Tech (DH)
Feb. 10 at Florida Southern College (DH)
Feb. 14 *vs. Kentucky State University (DH)
Feb. 15 *vs. Kentucky State University
Feb. 17 University of West Florida (DH)
Feb. 24 University of Mobile
Mar. 1 at William Carey University (DH)
University of Mobile Gulf Coast Invitational Tournament
Mar. 4 vs. Ave Maria University
vs. University of South Carolina-Beaufort
Mar. 5 vs. Brenau University
vs. Martin-Methodist College
Mar. 6 vs. Campbellsville University
Mar. 8 vs. Central Methodist University
Mar. 9 Barry University (DH)
Mar. 13 *Lane College (DH)
Mar. 14 *Lane College
SIAC Divisional Crossover Tournament
Mar. 17 *vs. Albany State University
*vs. Benedict College
Mar. 18 *vs. Paine College
*vs. Claflin University
Mar. 19 *vs. Fort Valley State University
*vs. Clark Atlanta University
Mar. 22 at University of Mobile (DH)
Apr. 3
Apr. 4
*at Tuskegee University (DH)
*at Tuskegee University
Apr. 5 William Carey University (DH)
Apr. 6 at University of West Florida
Apr. 8
Apr. 9
Apr. 10
Apr. 11
Apr. 15
Apr. 16
*Lemoyne-Owen College
*Lemoyne-Owen College (DH)
*at Miles College (DH)
*at Miles College
*Stillman College
*Stillman College (DH)
* SIAC game(s); (DH) - Doubleheader
2016 SIAC FINAL STANDINGS
Team SIAC Overall East
Claflin 17-4 32-22
Albany State 13-5 19-34
Benedict 11-9 17-22
Clark Atlanta 7-15 11-29
Fort Valley State 2-13 2-23
Gulf Shores, Ala. L, 1-6
Gulf Shores, Ala. L, 3-5
Orlando, Fla. L, 0-3; L, 5-6 (8)
Orlando, Fla. L, 1-2; L, 1-2
Murray Field W, 12-5 (5); W, 12-5 (5)
Murray Field W, 15-9
Murray Field W, 8-0 (5); L, 2-5
Murray Field W, 2-0
Hattiesburg, Miss. L, 0-1; W, 2-1
Gulf Shores, Ala. W, 9-0 (5)
Gulf Shores, Ala. W, 10-2 (6)
Gulf Shores, Ala. W, 2-1
Gulf Shores, Ala. W, 3-2
Gulf Shores, Ala. L, 2-7
Univ. of Mobile W, 2-1
Murray Field W, 2-1; L, 2-5 (6)
Murray Field W, 16-0 (5); W, 17-0 (5)
Murray Field W, 8-0 (6)
Jasper, Ala. W, 7-2
Jasper, Ala. W, 8-4
Jasper, Ala. W, 17-0 (5)
Jasper, Ala. W, 9-0 (5)
Jasper, Ala. W, 14-0 (5)
Jasper, Ala. W, 17-0 (5)
Univ. of Mobile W, 7-6 (12); L, 2-7
Tuskegee, Ala. W, 10-1 (6); W, 6-4 (8)
Tuskegee, Ala. W, 7-0
Murray Field W, 3-1; L, 2-4
Pensacola, Fla. L, 2-9
Murray Field W, 10-0 (5)
Murray Field W, 9-0 (5); W, 12-0 (5)
Fairfield, Ala. W, 8-0 (6); W, 6-0
Fairfield, Ala. W, 6-3
Murray Field W, 1-0
Murray Field W, 10-0 (5); W, 5-4
Paine 1-21 6-26 Team SIAC Overall
Spring Hill 24-0 37-14 Tuskegee 16-6 22-29 Miles 16-8 20-36
14-10 20-25
Kentucky State 9-11 15-21
Lane 6-18 16-20
LeMoyne-Owen 2-19 2-21
2016 FINAL STATS
LOB - Team (342), Opp (312). DPs turned - Team (12), Opp (23). IBB - Team (0), Opp (1). Picked off - N Bryars
PB - Team (6), K Clement 6, Opp (41). Pickoffs - Team (3), K Clement 3, Opp (1). SBA/ATT - K Clement (54-70), C Sagrera (34-43), D Clark (19-26), S Folse (1-1).
2017 SCHEDULE
NCAA Division II Gulf Coast Invitational; Gulf Shores, Ala.
Feb. 3 vs. Embry-Riddle University (Fla.)
Feb. 4 vs. University of North Alabama
Feb. 5
Feb. 8
AUM Tournament; Montgomery, Ala.
(DH)
Feb. 11 at Auburn University at Montgomery
Feb. 12 vs. Christian Brothers University
Feb. 15
Feb. 18
Feb. 19
Feb.
Disney Tournament; Orlando, Fla.
Feb. 24 vs. Armstrong State University
Fla. 3:30 p.m. (east) vs. University of North Georgia
Feb. 25 vs. University of North Georgia
Fla. 5:45 p.m. (east)
Fla. 11 a.m. (east) vs Armstrong State University
Feb. 26 vs Eckerd
Gulf Coast Invitational Tournament; Gulf Shores, Ala.
Mar. 3 vs. Ave Maria University
Mar. 4 vs. Avila University
Mar. 11
Mar.
Mar. 13
Fla. 3:30
Ala.
University (DH)
SIAC Softball Crossover Tournament; Jasper, Ala.
Mar. 16 *vs. Fort Valley State University
*vs. Claflin University
Mar. 17 *vs. Benedict College
*vs. Paine College
Mar. 18
Mar. 22 at Columbus State University (DH)
Mar. 25 *at Lane College (DH)
Mar. 26 *at Lane College
Mar. 28 at University of Mobile (DH)
Mar. 31
Apr. 1
Apr. 5
Apr. 8
Apr. 9 *at LeMoyne-Owen College (DH)
Apr. 12 at Mississippi College (DH)
Apr. 14 Auburn University at Montgomery (DH)
*SIAC game(s); (DH) - Doubleheader
