Due West, SC – Erskine College has been selected to finish 6th in the recent Conference Carolinas Preseason Coaches Poll. Erskine did receive one first place vote. Last year the Flying Fleet finished in fifth place with a 9-7 conference record and 22-20 overall. Mount Olive College was voted to win the conference this year, followed by Queens University, last year’s conference tournament champions, and Pfeiffer University.
Erskine lost three seniors from last year’s team, including Jake Todd Award Recipient and four time All-Conference player Katee Knapp. Replacing Katee Knapp’s offense will be one of the chief concerns for Head Coach Alleen Hawkins, who enters her 10th season as the Flying Fleet Head Coach. Coach Hawkins states, “You can never replace a player like Katee Knapp, but we have the talent and ability to be playing important games come April.”
Erskine returns eight seniors, including five starters from last year’s squad. Senior pitchers Lauren Gunter (Batesburg, SC/Batesburg-Leesville H.S.) and Rebekah George (Mauldin, SC/Southside Christian H.S.), who started 35 of Erskine’s 42 games and won 17 of their 22 games last season, give Erskine an effective one-two punch on the mound. Offensively, first baseman Courtney Davis (Asheville, NC/Erwin H.S.), center fielder Kelly Davis (Weaverville, NC/North Buncombe H.S.), junior shortstop Jocelyn Smith (Greer, SC/Riverside H.S.) and junior second baseman Lindsay LaPrad (Summerville, SC/Fort Dorchester H.S.) form the heart of the Erskine batting order. Senior catching duo Amber Hartley (Batesburg-Leesville, SC/Batesburg-Leesville H.S.) and Melinda Bowman (Aiken, SC/Aiken H.S.) provide excellent defense while Kayla Vinson (Berea, SC/Berea H.S.) covers plenty of ground in the outfield and gives speed at the top of the batting order. Senior Christina Cothran (Boiling Springs, SC/Boiling Springs H.S.) gives Coach Hawkins a pinch hitter with some pop in the bat.
The upperclassmen will be pushed by a very talented freshmen class. Coach Hawkins had an excellent recruiting year bringing in eleven outstanding freshman players. Jordan Suther (Loganville, GA/South Gwinnett H.S.) will compete at third base while Lana Ward (Gaffney, SC/Gaffney H.S.), Melanie Henderson (Fountain Inn, SC/Hillcrest H.S.), and Morgan Purcell (Duncan, SC/Byrnes H.S.) battle for the right field position. Kelsey Spurrier (Charlotte, NC/Butler H.S.), Heather Richey (Abbeville, SC/Abbeville H.S.), and Krissy Kendrick (Simpsonville, SC/Hillcrest H.S.) give Coach Hawkins plenty of pitching depth this season and may see spot starts as the season progresses.
Erskine opens their season at the USC-Aiken Early Bird Tournament February 6th in Aiken, South Carolina. For their home opener, Erskine plays local rival Lander University on Wednesday, February 10th with first pitch set for 2 p.m. For a complete softball schedule, please visit the Erskine College Athletic Web Site at ErskineCollegeSports.com.