San Jose, Calif. - The San José State Spartans softball team opens the 2019 season this weekend in Hammond, La., with a single game and will then participate in the Lion Classic.
The Spartans open the season against the host Southeastern Louisiana, but the game is not part of the tournament, and will then play single games against Northern Illinois, Mississippi Valley State, Southern Illinois and a pair against Nicholls State.
Thursday, February 7
at Southeastern Louisiana – 5:00 p.m. (CT)
2019 Lion Classic
Hammond, La.
Friday, February 8
vs. Northern Illinois - 3:00 p.m. (CT)
vs. Mississippi Valley State – 5:00 p.m. (CT)
Saturday, February 9
vs. Southern Illinois - 3:00 p.m. (CT)
vs. Nicholls State – 5:00 p.m. (CT)
Sunday, February 10
vs. Nicholls State – 10:00 a.m. (CT)
All SJSU's games in the Lion Classic will be contested at the North Oak Park (2699A North Oak Street, Hammond, La., 70402). Live stats and fee-based streaming video, where available, will be linked to the Spartans schedule page at www.sjsuspartans.com.
Opponent Previews
Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lions
Southeastern Louisiana finished last season 38-21, 18-9 in Southland Conference play and did not participate in the postseason.
SLU lost its top three batters for a year ago, but Ali McCoy batted .311 in 2018 and returns as the squad's top hitter. Rebecca Skains returns as the leading run producer with 36 RBI last season and no batter on the roster had more than two homers last year.
In the circle, Southeastern Louisiana lost its top two pitchers. Alley McDonald has the most experience on the staff. She was 5-4 in 25 appearances, had 32 strikeouts and 1.36 ERA last year.
This will be the first meeting between these two programs.
Northern Illinois Huskies
Northern Illinois finished last season 24-32, 11-11 in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play and did not participate in postseason play.
Jenny Van Geertry batted .385 in 2018 and returns as the squads top hitter. She is also the top returning run producer, home run hitter (7) and stole 11 bases in 17 attempts last year.
In the circle, Alex Frenz led the staff and is back this season. She posted a 12-7 record with 56 strikeouts and a 2.61 ERA in 131.1 innings of work.
This will be the fourth meeting between these two programs. The all-time series is 3-0 in favor of the Huskies. The teams met once in 1996 and twice in 1999, all at neutral sites.
Mississippi Valley State Devilettes
Mississippi Valley State finished last season 14-31, 9-9 in Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) play and did not participate in the postseason.
Jamie Parmley batted .320 but appeared in 28 games. Among the regulars, Lexany Terrones had a team-high 36 hits and ten steals. The top run producer last year was Hodeci Afoa-Tuia with 24 RBIs.
In the circle, Mississippi Valley returns nearly its entire staff. Andrea Elmore appeared in a team-high 18 games with a 7.85 ERA, 37 strikeouts and a 2-6 record. Alyssa Montes worked a team-high 73.2 innings with a 6-8 record and 35 strikeouts.
This will be the first meeting between these two programs.
Southern Illinois Salukis
Southern Illinois finished last season 31-22, 12-12 in Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) play and did not participate in the postseason.
Maddy Vermejan batted .346 in 2018 and returns as the squads top hitter. Katelyn Massa led the team in RBIs (48) and homers (11).
In the circle, Southern Illinois returns its ace. Brianna Jones was 26-8 with a 1.18 EAR in 232.1 innings and struck out 211.
This will be the fourth meeting between these two programs. The all-time series is 3-0 in favor of the Salukis. The teams met twice in 2001 and once in 2006, all at neutral sites.
Nicholls State Colonels
Nicholls State finished last season 40-16, 21-6 in Southland Conference play and did not participate in the postseason.
Kasey Frederick batted .377 with 61 hits in 2018 and returns as the squads top hitter. In addition, she led the team in RBIs and ranked third in home runs with 42 and seven, respectively.
In the circle, Megan Landry led the team with a 1.94 ERA and a 22-7 record. She struck out 127 in 180.1 innings and is back to lead the staff.
This will be the first meeting between these two programs.
Softball Season Opens Thursday In Louisiana
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