St. Edward's softball opens its season today at the three-day Division II Spring Invitational in Conroe, Texas. The invitational boasts a pool of nationally-ranked teams, including the Hilltoppers' first opponent, No. 8-ranked Central Oklahoma.
The Hilltoppers will also play nationally-ranked Augustana (13), Great American Conference Tournament Champion Arkansas Tech, and Pittsburg State and Cal Poly Humboldt.
"It's a great tournament with many ranked opponents, which is no different than what we face in the Lone Star Conference," St. Edward's head softball coach Leah Glasgow says. "So, we prepared as we do for a conference game, and I'm excited to get the team on the field and see where we are."
St. Edward's showed it could compete against strong opponents in its final game of the 2022 season, taking NCAA Regional qualifier St. Mary's to 11 innings before falling 1-0 in the LSC Tournament.
The Lone Star Conference ranked the Hilltoppers ninth in the conference preseason poll. St. Edward's returns its entire pitching staff, anchored by senior MCKENNA LEAMON and sophomore MEGAN MORRIS. Morris earned All-Freshman Team honors after leading the team in doubles (13) and stolen bases (14) in her debut season.
"Megan's picked up where she left off. She works hard. She's always doing extra work, so I'm excited to see her development and hopefully make an all-conference this year," Glasgow says. "She's continuing to develop the best way she knows how with her consistency, foot speed, and all the good things she has to offer."
Leamon posted a 9-9 record in 24 appearances in 2022, including 10 complete games. She posted 125 strikeouts in 116.2 innings with a 3.48 ERA. The team also returns RENNA TOOMEY and Cadie Bell Currie.
Currie closed last season on a solid note, throwing 10 scoreless innings with five strikeouts before leaving the pitcher's circle in St. Edward's 1-0 loss to St. Mary's in extra innings.
"My mindset is to get the job done, get out of the situation I'm in, and start fresh the next inning," Currie says of her approach. She's one of three players entering their fourth season at St. Edward's, alongside ALEXIS MASSIE and JORDAN NEELY. The trio was part of Glasgow's first freshman class at St. Edward's.
"I've loved being with the three girls who've been here all four years," Massie explains. "Especially coming in not knowing who the coach was and ending up with a great one from the jump. We've all developed so much as players. We know what expectations are and how to inspire the team."
Weekend Opponents
#8 Central Oklahoma
The Bronchos are ranked No. 8 in the nation after posting a 48-13 record and advancing to the Sweet 16 in last year's NCAA Division II playoffs.
Central Oklahoma returns six starters and a pitcher, led by All-American outfielder Jacee Minter, who led the nation with 26 doubles. She also hit 12 home runs and drove in 71 runs. The Bronchos were second in the country in fielding percentage and sixth in runs scored.
Pittsburg State
The Gorillas were 25-26 last season and return seven starters from a team that ranked No. 19 in batting average and fourth in slugging percentage.
All-Region senior utility player Taylor Lambert led the team after posting a .461 batting average with 77 hits and 52 runs scored). Paxtyn Hayes also earned All-MIAA honors with a .703 slugging percentage and 46 RBI. Keelah Griffith rounds out a potent trio with a .654 slugging percentage and 14 home runs.
#13 Augustana
Augustana was picked to win the NSIC for the third-straight season after compiling 50 wins in 2022. Augustana returns a pair of All-America honorees from a season ago and five First Team All-NSIC student-athletes. Among the returners is Gracey Brink, who led Augustana with a .422 batting average with nine home runs, four triples, and nine doubles. She earned All-America honors following the season.
The other All-America returner is Torri Chute, who belted 12 home runs and 16 doubles while batting .400. She held an OPS of 1.234 and an on-base percentage of .516.
Cal Poly Humbolt
Cal Poly Humbolt went 14-39 last season and is led by senior catcher/outfielder Micaela Harris, who the NFCA named All-American Third Team last season after posting a .388 batting average with 69 hits, scoring 53 runs.
Arkansas Tech
Arkansas Tech is coming off its fourth consecutive Great American Conference Championship before going 1-2 in the NCAA Regional.
The Golden Suns return 20 players, highlighted by All-GAC pitcher Bailey Buffington, catcher Makenzie Addis, and All-GAC Tournament players Shelby Chavers and Kassie Mayberry. Arkansas Tech ranked No. 10 nationally in home runs 965) and 11th in shutouts (16) last season.
