MONTGOMERY, Ala. | The 2019 Southwestern Athletic Conference Preseason favorite Alabama State softball team will begin their quest for a championship Friday at 3 pm against North Carolina Central in the Chef Celeste Tournament, hosted by Southern.
The venue for the tournament will be in Zachary, La. at
Zachary Youth Park, field No. 7.
The Lady Hornets return an experienced roster that includes five All-Conference selections, including Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Justine Jean.
"I think our strength this season is experience in our starting lineup, good depth at the pitching position and we are returning a lot of kids who contributed to the success we had last season," Alabama State head coach
Chris Steiner-Wilcoxson said. "We have some senior leadership and we are looking for our offense to step up and produce. We need to build on the foundation that was laid last year and continue to build confidence."
Alabama State has reached the SWAC Championship game each year of Wilcoxson's tenure, last winning the tournament in 2016 which resulted in an NCAA Tournament berth.
"I think there is a determination and an understanding that the goal is to win games and get to that next level again. We must be stronger and push ourselves to overcome any adversity. We know what is at stake and we won't be satisfied until we are conference champs," Steiner-Wilcoxson said.
An inside look at the Alabama State Lady Hornets
- The Lady Hornets will boast a formidable one-two punch in the circle with Jean (105 strikeouts in 2018) and Vanessa Bradford (team-best 5.19 ERA).
- Kaylee Davis (.341 batting average in 2018), Casey Durham (.319), Marina Clark (three triples) and Amira James (first-team selection) will provide the Hornets with one of the deepest and most talented outfields in the conference.
- Kristin Gunter (13 extra base hits), Aimee Felices (second base), Hailey Walker (first base) and catcher Jordan Amerson all return to their starting roles, giving Alabama State a deep crop of veterans in the infield.
An inside look at the competition
- Alabama State will face Howard on Saturday at 2 pm.
- The Bison are under the tutelage of first-year head coach Tori Tyson following an 8-37 record a season ago.
- The Lady Hornets will play a doubleheader Sunday, facing Prairie View A&M at 9 am before squaring off with Southern at 12 pm.
- The Lady Panthers won the SWAC in 2018 and are led by seventh-year head coach Vernon Bland.
- The host Lady Jaguars finished fourth in the Western Division in 2018 and will be under the guidance of veteran head coach John Garris.
What's Next
- Alabama State will host the Black and Gold Tournament February 15 – 17 at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex.
- The Lady Hornets will play Fort Wayne, North Alabama, Western Carolina, Alabama A&M and UT-Martin.
Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State University softball, follow the Hornets on social media @BamaStateSB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State athletics at BamaStateSports.com.
