NEWBERRY - The 2015 Newberry College softball season gets underway this weekend as the Wolves will welcome the Francis Marion Patriots and Chowan Hawks to the Smith Road Complex for a pair of doubleheaders.
FRANCIS MARION DOUBLEHEADER
WHO: Francis Marion University at Newberry College
WHERE: Smith Road Complex softball stadium
DATE: Saturday, February 7
TIME: First game to start at 1 p.m., Second game 20 minutes afterwards
RECORDS: This will be Newberry’s season opener. Francis Marion carries a 1-1 record
LIVE VIDEO: www.NewberryWolves.tv
LIVE STATS: www.NewberryStats.com
WEATHER FORECAST: 60 degrees, sunny
CHOWAN DOUBLEHEADER
WHO: Chowan University at Newberry College
WHERE: Smith Road Complex softball stadium
DATE: Sunday, February 8
TIME: First game to start at noon , Second game 20 minutes afterwards
RECORDS: This will be Newberry’s second doubleheader of the season. Chowan is currently 0-0 but plays at North Greenville on Friday and Erskine on Saturday
LIVE VIDEO: www.NewberryWolves.tv
LIVE STATS: www.NewberryStats.com
WEATHER FORECAST: 65 degrees, sunny with slight chance of rain, breezy
LOOKING AT NEWBERRY
The Wolves have been selected to finish at the bottom of the South Atlantic Conference but are expecting to finish higher with a good blend of experience and youth in all positions.
Brittany Middleton and Madison Burnett are expected to be the starting pitchers in both doubleheaders, although fans can also expect to see newcomer Maude McCourry and relief specialist Hannah Blakley.
Outfielders Ashlen Ayres and Gabby Bedard are the Wolves’ top returning hitters, while the middle infield combination of Hailey Drawe and Casey Nellums will contribute as well.
Behind the plate, Madison Tepfenhart brings the most experience to the club, but junior college transfer Jeri Loffler will also make her presence known.
FRANCIS MARION
The Patriots went 1-1 in their opening weekend twinbill with Mount Olive, losing 5-1 in the opener before picking up a run-rule win in the nightcap.
FMU is predicted to finish sixth of 13 teams in the very competitive Peach Belt Conference after going 23-28 last season. Newberry and Francis Marion split a doubleheader in Florence last season.
Katie Carnes picked up 3 hits and 6 RBIs in the opening doubleheader, and is also a starting pitcher.
[FMU Season Preview]
CHOWAN
The Hawks will close out a three-day, six-game swing through the Piedmont of South Carolina with the doubleheader at Newberry on Sunday.
CU went 17-31 last season, with a 13-3 CIAA conference record. The Hawks promoted Brian De Witt to head coach from an assistant position over the summer.
The Hawks’ leading returning players is second team NFCA all-Atlantic Region performer Tori Cragan, who hit .421 last season as a sophomore. Courtney Groce and Alora Lincoln are expected to be the starting pitchers, combining for 11 wins last year.
