Softball 2.9.23

Samford Softball 2023 Season Preview

BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – After being tabbed as SoCon preseason favorites, the Samford softball team, led by second-year head coach Kimball Cassady, will kick off the 2023 season on Friday at the Southern Miss-hosted Black & Gold Invitational against the Pirates of Seton Hall.

"I think the kids set the tone last year, they set the standard. They know what it takes now to get to where we were. People always say we had a great season last year. We did, we had a really good season. We turned things around, but in our minds that was not the expectation we had set forth," Cassady said. "Our goal is still the same, 40 wins. In our minds, we should have been that team right there in the conference championship game and the team that's playing in the regional at Alabama. We have a tough schedule, but I think we can get there."

Headlined by SoCon Preseason Pitcher of the Year McKenzie Newcomb, Samford returns the most dynamic pitching staff in the conference. In addition to Newcomb, Jordyn Partain returns as a sophomore to give the Bulldogs a one-two punch in the circle.

"They have to rely on hitting their spots. That is really important for them. Mac (Newcomb) is one of those kids that is right around the zone all the time and she spins it really well, same as Partain. She is a little bit slower, but she also hits her spots really well," Cassady said. "I think for them, as long as they are doing that, they are going to be fine. I am telling you, our pitching staff Is going to be really strong this year. We have some new kids in there that can really contribute. I am really excited to see what they can do."

With the departures of Mary Katherine Tedder and Timberlyn Shurbutt from the left side of the infield, Cassady will look to junior Ansley Yantis and sophomore Grier Bruce to step up for the Bulldogs.

"The two that kind of played behind those two last year really had to grow and learn," Cassady said. "I think last year, getting a lot of repetition and learning behind those two are really going to help Grier and Ansely step in and take on a role. They had to learn and grow in that season and you see the maturity in both of them this year."

Of the 19 Bulldogs on the 2023 roster, 15 of them are underclassmen while Merritt Cahoon is the lone senior on the squad.

"Merrit does a phenomenal job of leading our team. She's a super special kid and she understands. She has been here for four-straight years and has seen the good and the bad," Cassady said. "She does a great job of leading our team, but she also helps those younger kids understand what we are trying to get to and pushes them."

The new faces around the Samford softball program are not limited to the roster as former Bulldog baseball standout T.J. Dixon joined the coaching staff in August as an assistant. Most recently, Dixon spent the 2021 season as a volunteer assistant with the Samford Baseball team.

"T.J. is so good. He really knows his things when it comes to the offensive side of things. He has been really good about working one-on-one with the kids and he is incorporating things in a different way," Cassady said. "They are starting to buy into it and see results from it. He has been a great addition to our team and I think it is really going to pay off for us.

The 2023 schedule is highlighted by home games with in-state foes Alabama and Auburn as a pair of home tournaments before entering the always tough Southern Conference.

"We went into this saying we gotta challenge ourselves early on because what that does is prepares us for conference play coming up," Cassady said. "That's what we want. We want these kids to get as much experience as we can and we want big crowds to come in. We are really excited about having Alabama and Auburn coming in to join us this year. I think we have a chance. We are really strong in the circle and we can squeeze some runs in, we're going to be fine."

Following the weekend at the Black & Gold Invitational, Samford's home opener will take place on Feb. 17 as the Bulldogs welcome the Ball State Cardinals to Birmingham as part of the UAB Classic.

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For the latest news and information on Samford softball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordSports (Facebook), @SamfordSB (Twitter), and @SamfordSB (Instagram).

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Players Mentioned

#17 Merritt Cahoon: INF; 5' 7"; Junior; R/R

#8 Timberlyn Shurbutt: INF; 5' 7"; Senior; R/R

#1 Ansley Yantis: INF; 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R

#4 Grier Bruce: INF; 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R

#24 McKenzie Newcomb: P; 5' 5"; Freshman; R/R

#22 Mary Katherine Tedder: UTL; 5' 8"; Graduate Student; R/R

#99 Jordyn Partain: P; 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#17 Merritt Cahoon
: 5' 7"; Junior; R/R
: INF

#8 Timberlyn Shurbutt
: 5' 7"; Senior; R/R
: INF

#1 Ansley Yantis
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R
: INF

#4 Grier Bruce
: 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R
: INF

#24 McKenzie Newcomb
: 5' 5"; Freshman; R/R
: P

#22 Mary Katherine Tedder
: 5' 8"; Graduate Student; R/R
: UTL

#99 Jordyn Partain
: 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R
: P

Samford University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned