The Emory softball team opens the program's 22nd season of intercollegiate competition this weekend with a pair of doubleheaders against South Region opponents. On Friday (Feb. 21), the Eagles venture to Piedmont College with action slated for 5:00 and 7:00 pm. On Sunday, Emory makes its home debut by hosting Birmingham Southern with the first pitch slated for 1:00 pm.
Head Coach Adrianna Baggetta welcomes back 11 returnees from last year's squad that finished as Division III national runners-up, posting a final record of 39-14 in the process that included a University Athletic Association first-place mark of 16-4. The Eagles return senior outfielder Sammi Feller who topped the squad in hitting with a .373 effort (59-of-158) en route to being named the league's Co-Position Player of the year. Sophomore Mattie Ryan, the 2019 UAA Rookie of the Year, started all 53 games at first base and hit at .340 clip (49-of-144) with a team-high 13 doubles and 38 RBIs that ranked second on the club. Senior outfielder Greta Wilker will provide some punch to the lineup after closing out last year with a .300 ( 39-of-130) performance at the plate that included 31 RBIs. Senior Sarah Katz, a mainstay at second base, started 53 games and hit .277 (44-of-159) with 27 ribbies. Katz enjoyed a solid postseason, hitting .341 (15-of-44) during the squad's 13-game run in the NCAA Tournament while earning berths on the NCAA Championships All-Tournament Team and the NCAA Demorest Regional All-Tournament Team. Junior Natalie Arreguin, a Second Team All-UAA honoree last season, makes the move to shortstop from third base. A .275 hitter with 10 two-baggers and 29 RBIs, Arreguin's nine contests with two or more RBIs was third highest on the club. Senior Jessy McLean, a battle-tested veteran who has played in 114 games and owns a career hitting average of .313, looks for a big final campaign at third base. Other veteran position players include juniors Drew Bullock and Allie Moberg, and sophomores Krista Colussi and Megan Weisenberg.
Junior Madison Schaefer looms as the key Eagle in the circle after tossing 133 innings and compiling a record of 20-4 with her win total leading all UAA hurlers and ranking fifth on the program's seasonal chart.
Two freshmen, catcher Tyler Miller (Oviedo, FL) and pitcher Trinity Pizzuti (Marietta, GA) are the newcomers who will look to make an impact.
The Eagles are ranked No. 2 D-III in the Feb. 5 NFCA Top 25 Poll.
Led by 22nd-year Head Coach Terry Martin, Piedmont was picked to tie for first place in the USA South West Division Preseason Poll. Last season, the Lady Lions finished with a 31-12 overall record and a 14-2 conference mark, good for second in the West Division. For the first time in program history, Piedmont hosted an NCAA Regional, losing in the championship round to Emory.
Kimball Cassady, now in her 10th year as the head coach of the BSC program, led the Panthers to one of its best seasons in program history in 2019. The Panthers earned a spot in the Division III Tournament, finishing the campaign 35-7 overall and winning both the regular season and Southern Athletic Association tournament titles. So far this year, BSC stands 1-3 after four games and will play Covenant College on Saturday before heading to Atlanta. The Panthers are ranked 15th in the NFCA Top 25 Poll.