EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana softball team opens its 2012 campaign Friday at the University of Alabama-Huntsville Ringor Charger Chillout in Decatur, Alabama.
USI has six games scheduled during the three-day event, beginning with the University of North Alabama Friday at 12:30 p.m. at the Wilson-Morgan Softball Complex.
The Screaming Eagles also play Georgia College & State University Friday at 4:30 p.m.; Truman State University Saturday at 10:30 a.m.; No. 2 Alabama-Huntsville Saturday at 2:30 p.m.; Lander University Sunday at 1 p.m., and the University of West Georgia Sunday at 3 p.m. Live stats and/or audio (if available) for the games can be accessed at gousieagles.com.
This marks the seventh consecutive year the Eagles have participated in the Charger Chillout, which features 24 teams this weekend. It is also the third straight season that the Eagles have opened the year in Decatur.
USI, which was 21-22 overall and 10-15 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 2011, has not fared well at the Charger Chillout, posting a 6-25 record in its six previous trips to the event. The Eagles were 2-4 in last season's Chillout.
The Eagles, under the direction of 11th-year Head Coach
Sue Kunkle, have a fresh look to its roster this year as it features one senior, three juniors, seven sophomores, and seven freshmen.
Senior third baseman/designated player
Kristen O'Haver is expected to be a leader for the Eagles after hitting .317 with two home runs and 13 RBIs last year. The Eagles also will benefit from the experience of junior shortstop/pitcher
Stephanie Bittner, who hit seven balls over the fence and drove in 35 runs last season, and junior outfielder
Katherine Belsito, a two-time All-GLVC performer that has driven in 27 runs the last two years.
In addition to Bittner, the Eagles' pitching staff includes sophomores
Madeline Brink and
Kelsey Jankowski, who combined for an 18-15 overall record in 2011, as well as freshmen
Brooke Harmening and
Kara Werner. Harmening, who had a 61-25 record and 654 strikeouts during her prep career at Whiteland High School, got a lot of experience inside the pitcher's circle during the fall season.
USI's opponents this weekend have combined for a 12-8 record through the early part of the season, with North Alabama and Truman State being the only two opponents without a game under its belt. Georgia College & State enters the week with a 3-7 mark, while Alabama-Huntsville and West Georgia both entered the week with 2-0 records. Lander is 5-1 entering the week.
The Eagles open their home schedule February 28 at 2 p.m. when they host future GLVC member McKendree University at the USI Softball Field. They begin GLVC play March 1 against Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri.
