Sept. 16, 2010
CONWAY, S.C. - The Coastal Carolina University softball team has been hard at work this fall, coming off a 27-31 record last season and looks to improve on that in the 2011 season under second-year head coach Kelley Green.
In addition to practice, the Chanticleers will play three doubleheaders and conclude with a nine-inning intersquad scrimmage this fall.
Coastal will open its fall season with a doubleheader at UNC Wilmington on Saturday, Sept. 25, followed by a two-game series at College of Charleston on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 1 p.m. The team will return home Saturday, Oct. 2 for its final doubleheader of the season, hosting UNC Wilmington at 1 p.m. and conclude its fall games with a nine-inning intersquad scrimmage on Oct. 9 at 1 p.m.
"With 11 rookies this year, our fall season will be crucial to our success this year," Green said. "We are looking forward to seeing what kind of impact our rookies can make this year, as well as see the improvement from our returners."
The Chanticleers return eight starters and 11 letterwinners from the 2010 season, including the 2010 Big South Co-Freshman of the Year Jazmin Daigle and First Team All-Big South honoree in Cacia Pierre.
In addition to the 11 returnees, Coastal welcomes 10 freshmen and one transfer to the roster. Among the newcomers are Ashley Bagwell, Racquel Cooke, Brooke Donovan, Tamera Hawkins, Courtney Howell, Beth Kassuhn, Nicole Saggiomo, Kara Vonatzski, Jessie Winans, Desiree Zaragoza and Yavapai College transfer Chelsea Pineda.
"Many of our rookies will be looking to make an immediate impact on our squad," Green said. "This year's class brings a great deal of athleticism and we are all very excited to see them out on the field."
Also new this year is the addition of Julia Popovich as volunteer assistant coach. Popovich was a standout player at Lock Haven under Green and served as the Eagles' student assistant last season. She owns the school's single season records for at bats with 199 and ranks second in hits in a single season with 70. Popovich is also listed in the top 10 in a number of Lock Haven career records, including games played (218, fifth), at bats (678, second), hits (202, fifth), runs scored (138, second) and stolen bases (46, sixth).
The Chanticleers will open up their spring schedule on Feb. 11-13 at the Palmetto State Showdown, hosted by South Carolina.
