TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
LAFAYETTE, La. – The Samford softball team will open the 2018 season at the Mardi Gras Classic, hosted by Louisiana Thursday through Saturday.
Samford opens the tournament by taking on the host Ragin' Cajuns Thursday at 5 p.m. The Bulldogs will play two games Friday, taking on Illinois-Chicago at 9 a.m. and Evansville at 2 p.m. Samford will conclude its portion of the tournament when it plays Eastern Illinois Sunday at 9 a.m.
Samford's 2018 roster includes just two seniors, center fielder
Shelby Maze and third baseman Lexi Higgins. Also returning to the team this year are juniors
Madison Couch,
Kelsey Royalty,
Hannah Trombley and
Annalyn Yantis, and sophomores
Taylor DeCelles,
Whitney Hinton,
Kathryn Jackson,
Lauren Lewis and
Laney Parks.
Newcomers to the 2018 team are freshmen
Ashlyn Barnes,
Emily Barnett,
Ryan Brzozoski,
Julianna Cross,
McKenna Gillespie and
Mekhi Mayfield.
In the Southern Conference preseason poll, the Bulldogs were picked to finish fourth in the league. Maze was picked as the SoCon's Preseason Co-Player of the Year. Couch received second team Preseason All-SoCon honors.
In 2017, Samford posted a record of 25-36 overall and 10-8 in SoCon play. The Bulldogs reached the finals of the SoCon Tournament for a second-straight season.
Below is a schedule of Samford's games in the tournament, along with links to follow each game.
Thursday, Feb. 8
Samford vs. Louisiana, 5 p.m.:
Live Stats,
Watch Live
Friday, Feb. 9
Illinois-Chicago vs. Samford, 9 a.m.:
Live Stats
Evansville vs. Samford, 2 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 10
Samford vs. Eastern Illinois, 9 a.m.:
Live Stats
